DONINGTON PARK BACK ON TRACK After months of speculation and adverse media exposure one of Britain’s great motor racing circuits is in new hands and once again looking forward to an exciting and optimistic future. Donington Park has been part of the fabric of British motor racing for 80 years but in recent times it found itself mired in operational and financial turmoil. The euphoria of being awarded the British Grand Prix ahead of Silverstone was swiftly followed by the reality of delivering on massive intentions and promises during the simultaneous financial downturn. The future of the facility has been in doubt ever since. However a team has now emerged to secure the site lease and in so doing almost certainly left more fancied bidders scratching their heads. The Worcestershire based Adroit Group faced stiff opposition from experienced motorsport names, but their mixture of acute business sense, realism and genuine enthusiasm for motor racing was enough for owner Kevin Wheatcroft to opt for their brand of drive, honesty and authenticity. The family owned, £16m turnover company is a construction, modular buildings and property investment specialist concentrating on : water, energy, infrastructure, renewable energy, health & education and rail. With its head office in Bromsgrove, Adroit is perfectly positioned to tackle many of the pressing tasks at hand on a site that has been unused since September 2009 and all operational duties will be taken over by the newly established arm of the Adroit Group. Group MD David Broome commented, “It is a big task and nobody is under any illusions about that. 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. 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,” he added. Geoff Allchurch MD of Adroit Construction Services plc and David Larner Head of Operations stated that they were wholly behind the Groups approach to Donington and they were determined to see the first phase of the reconstruction delivered on time and to the highest standard demanded by the MSA, and that further reconstruction would be treated with the same level of commitment. Kevin Wheatcroft enthused “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. David and Steve impressed us from the first time we met them and we have every confidence in their ability and vision for Donington” The new operator will take over the entire site which straddles the Leicestershire and Derbyshire border. Apart from the famed race track and all its attendant operational, pit and spectator facilities the lease includes: exhibition facilities, the Donington Grand Prix Collection – housing the world’s largest collection of GP cars and driver’s crash helmets, the Norton motorbike factory, all woodland areas and extensive parking. Operations Director Steve Watton said, “It is a vast and multi-faceted site and our approach will dictate that no one element will suck the attention, life and finances from any other. Quite the opposite, everything must enhance everything else. Not only will we bring existing aspects back up to scratch but we intend to make exciting new introductions that will not demand huge capital outlay but will make best use of what we already have on our doorstep. We will develop new income streams whilst broadening the range of facilities and events from exhibitions to new sports. A great deal of work has already been put in by Kevin and his team, John Symes from the RAC Motor Sports Association and Duncan Green from Pick Everard. They have provided a detailed list of specific requirements in order for us to regain the circuit’s essential FiA Grade 2 Licence. We will comply fully with these requirements in order to meet the all important MSA track inspection scheduled for the beginning of August. It is also critical to us that we work with the Castle Donington community – the newly elected MP, the residents, councillors, businesses, schools and the neighbouring East Midlands airport. It is as much their facility as anyone’s and we want them to feel part of it and be proud of it. We should be a massive element of a thriving area and want to play our part to ensure that is the case. This will also provide financial security for the employees currently working at Donington. Robert Fearnall will continue to coordinate all motor sport matters and the track maintenance team will also be taken on. Couple this with Kevin Wheatcroft and Neil Leavesley remaining active for a transitional period and John Greaves continuing to look after catering and event management and you have a facility which will very quickly be hosting events across the board, from the forthcoming Master Series which is scheduled for the 3rd, 4th and 5th September to the British Touring Car Championship which also remains on the race calendar” Watton, a club racing driver for more than 20 years added; “Donington Park is one of Britain’s big three alongside Silverstone and Brands Hatch. It has the most fantastic heritage stretching back as far as the 1930’s when legends such as Tazio Nuvolari, Bernd Rosemayer and Richard Seaman were competing there. Ayrton Senna drove what many consider the greatest opening lap in Grand Prix history there and of course it has become one of Europe’s great motorcycle racing venues. This is going to be a dynamic new era but we want to preserve and celebrate such rich heritage.” One such feature which will be entirely cosmetic yet appreciated by racing fans the world over is the Dunlop Bridge. This will be reintroduced. Previous occupiers however had dismantled it and new clearance regulations mean that it could no longer straddle the track in its original dimensions, however the new team intend to resurrect it elsewhere on site where it will be seen by the maximum number of visitors. They now have until August 1st to ready the circuit for MSA inspection and admit the time line is short but added that a programme is in place and they are working tightly to programme. A projected £1.5-2.0m will be spent on the track by the end of the year and the first phase begins immediately. David Broome concluded, “There is a ‘Save Donington’ Facebook site with 14,500 members. I’m looking forward to welcoming each and every one of those enthusiasts to a ‘Donington is Saved’ group! In March 8,500 people turned up to show their support for the venue and, although it must be a business venture too, together with the community these are the people we are doing this for. The racing world needs to see Donington put back on its feet and that is exactly what we are going to do.” The new operator is also striving for a new strong identity so when people see an arrangement of colours or logo they will recognise it immediately as Donington Park and they’ll know that stands for great racing, great entertainment and wonderful facilities.