The future of the Donington Park track, left in a state of chaos after the collapse of the redevelopment package that went alongside the track's bid for the British GP, has been secured, with the Adroit Group taking over the leasehold.
The Leicestershire track originally won the contract to host the British Grand Prix from 2010 onwards, but the Donington Ventures Limited company collapsed after the rebuilding work had begun. The deal for the British GP went back to Silverstone, but the future of Donington was uncertain.
After DVL entered administration, the leasehold returned to the circuit-owning Wheatcroft family, and they have been searching for a new leaseholder to help secure the future of the track even for national racing.
And Kevin Wheatcroft confirmed on Wednesday that the Worcester-based Adroit property group would take over the contract.
"We are particularly pleased that after a long interview process, we feel that we have found the right people to move Donington forward into a new and exciting future," Wheatcroft explained.
The managing director of Adroit, David Broome, said that the company was committed to making Donington a "world class standard" racetrack, though he admitted that there was a lot of work to be done.
"It is a big task and nobody is under any illusions about that," he grimaced, "We intend to bring the site back up to a world class standard.
"The entire site needs attention whilst much of it will require a total overhaul from the track itself to the medical centre, hospitality suites, phone, radio and PA systems, IT systems, CCTV and general ground work."
He added: "There is no magic wand, but through a calm, cautious, credible and sensible approach we know that we have the experience, expertise and absolute commitment to bring the glory years back to Donington.
"I believe the very fact that we fully understand the task at hand and were able to convey our realism and pragmatism were factors in us winning out over the other parties."
The Donington museum, as well as the circuit cafe and race control buildings reopened at the start of the year, but work is ongoing to complete repairs to the track.
The MSA, the governing body of UK motorsport, is set to inspect the track in August to verify that the circuit is now up to national racing standards.
Although the track lost a number of high profile events over the DVL debacle, including the F1 grand prix and rounds of the British Superbike championship, the British Touring Car Championship is still scheduled to visit in mid-September, and the track bosses hope to confirm more events for 2011 once the MSA is satisfied with the venue.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
