MN SAYS... Good news for Donington

New operators at the East Midlands venue will be a success

The rebirth of Donington Park since the terrible time it suffered after Simon Gillett’s doomed attempt to bid for the British Grand Prix some seven years ago has been steady.

Landowner Kevin Wheatcroft took back charge of the historic venue, and his team set about the painstaking process of undoing all the harm that had been done to the circuit. There was a hell of a lot of work to do.

Under the leadership of Christopher Tate, the track has been inching back towards its former glories, although there is still a way to go to complete the process.

Now Jonathan Palmer has agreed a 21-year lease to operate the circuit, there will be bright times ahead. Palmer has a proven record with the four venues that he already operates – Brands Hatch, Cadwell Park, Oulton Park and Snetterton. He has had a long-held interest in operating Donington and looked at it closely when Gillett disappeared. Now, the time is right for him to take control of the track.

Be prepared for another rosy chapter in the circuit’s long history – and thank goodness for that. Matt James, Editor