Any idea if this is a change of plan, or just moving the deal along its intended route?
[color:#000099]PRESS RELEASE
17 August 2010
Donington’s back
Following the return of racing to Donington Park the circuit is now set to move forward in the next stage of its development. Operation of the circuit will transfer to Donington Park Racing Ltd (DPR) from the Worcestershire based Adroit Group, the company responsible for successfully managing the reopening of the circuit following the failed bid to host the F1 British Grand Prix.
DPR Ltd, was set up in 1953 by founder Tom Wheatcroft, and since 1970 managed and promoted motor racing at the historic Leicestershire circuit.
�I am delighted the option has been taken up for Donington Park Racing to once again operate the circuit� said Kevin Wheatcroft, Chairman of DPR and owner of the Donington Park Estate. �Racing at Donington is back and we can now assure an exciting future for the circuit and the venue.
�I would like to personally thank the Adroit Group for their tireless efforts in helping to re-open Donington. We are delighted with the first stage of improvements.�
Racing returned to Donington Park last weekend after the circuit passed crucial safety inspections and a full programme of events is now planned �It�s a momentous time for all forms of motor sport to see Donington return to the calendar , it has been sorely missed� said Robert Bryant, Chairman of the Classic Racing Motorcycle Club, the organisers of the first event at the newly opened circuit.
It’s true. I spoke to them today and Kevin Wheatcroft is the Chairman of DPRL. The legal aspects are currently being sorted and the move will return many familar faces to the Donington management team. There is no threat to the return to racing operations. Broadly speaking, whilst Adroite have the earth moving experience they have admitted they know very little about running race circuits and so DPRL is back on the scene.
The FIA/MSAinspections last week went well but there is still some work to do on tyre walls, but that is all. The FIA and MSA race licnces will be issued on 25 August once these are in place.
Track/test days have already started and there was a bike meeting last weekend.
The one significant change to the circuit is that only the short circuit will be available initially and this has been changed slightly to give more run off at Goddards. The right/left chicane that puts you on to the start/finish straight (now called Wheatcrofts) have been moved back closer to the Dunlop bridge and the right turn is a bit tighter than the old one. This will mean less speed into the chicane but a longer run into Redgate so braking points will need to be adjusted… It also gives easier/safer access to the pit lane which was a big factor in making the change.
The infield is out of bounds for the forseaable future until several hazards left over from the earth moving done before the collapse of the F1 venture has been sorted.
(Straight from the horse’s mouth today and supported by a personal letter to me from the MSA outlining the changes (because we will be one of the first clubs to run a meeting there), so all of the above is almost certainly true.)
I actually cant say how happy I am about this. I love the circuit, go to lots of events there (as I live very local to the circuit), and think its the best track to drive and ride in the country.
Chuffed!