DONINGTON MUSEUM SHUTS

The world’s largest grand prix racing car museum is to close at 5pm on 5 November. The East Midlands-based Grand Prix Collection opened on 16 March 1973 thanks to Frederick Bernard ‘Tom’ Wheatcroft. It all began with the purchase of a Formula One Ferrari single-seater racing car in 1964, and his acquisitions were kept in a garage at his home until the move to Donington Park. Since Wheatcroft died in 2009, the museum has been run by his son, Kevin. “Closing the museum after 45 years has been a really difficult decision,” he said. “Motor Sport Vision [MSV] took over operation of Donington Park last year [and] there was a possibility that it might have stayed open… but it does not fit the MSV business plan and the decision was made to close the museum. Its exhibits will go into storage until my family and I have considered their future.”