Grand Prix dream comes true for circuit's saviour and thousands of region's race fans

THE dream of former Donington Park owner Tom Wheatcroft to

see the British Grand Prix brought to his beloved track has

become a reality.

And Mr Wheatcroft, who was yesterday enjoying the thrills

and spills of this year's Grand Prix meeting at Silverstone,

will be “delighted” by the news, said daughter Joy.

“It's his dream come true,” she said.

Mr Wheatcroft told October's edition of The Derbyshire

Magazine of his passion for motor racing.

He got the bug more than 70 years ago, when he would cycle

30 miles from his home in Leicester to Donington Park, crawl

through a hole in the hedge and watch the races.

He said: “You had to be there to know what it was like. The

W125 Mercs and the V16 Auto Unions were doing 170mph by halfway

down the straight.

“The noise and the smell and the speed – we hadn't seen

anything like it before.”

After driving tanks during the Second World War, Mr

Wheatcroft set up a successful building business but was sad to

see that racing had died out at Donington Park.

The entrepreneur, who had only ever attended 18 months of

school education, funded the purchase of the then derelict

circuit in 1971.

He created a museum on site to house his personal collection

of racing cars and memorabilia, which now comprises five halls

and more than 150 exhibits and is the largest collection of

single-seater Grand Prix racing cars in the world.

Graham Mulholland runs composites firm EPM Technology, in

Victoria Road, Draycott, seemingly a million miles from the

glitz and glamour of the F1 pit lane.

However, the firm, which employs 120 staff, makes various

components for six Formula One teams – Force India, Renault,

Red Bull, Toro Rosso, Toyota and Honda.

Mr Mulholland said the move to Donington would be great for

his company if a new business park is created near the

track.

He said: “We are hoping to expand anyway. If they are going

to put that amount of money into Donington Park, hopefully

there will a business park nearby. We would certainly put our

name to it.”

One of the nephews of Fred Craner, who set up the circuit at

Donington Park in the 1930s, said he was delighted that it

would be hosting the F1 event for 10 years from 2010.

Stanley Craner, 78, of Calais Road, Burton, said: “I think

it's marvellous news, absolutely wonderful.

“My uncle died in his 50s and racing and driving was his

life.

“He had two garages, one in Derby and one in Burton.

“I remember on one of the rare occasions we used to see him

he asked me what I wanted to do when I left school.

“I can't remember what I told him, but to follow in the

family tradition I should have said a mechanic.

“I think he would be thrilled with the news.”

Motorsport fans visiting Donington yesterday said it would

be a great venue for the Grand Prix.

Paul Martin, 19, of Coventry, said: “Castle Donington has

history running through it and is rich in tradition – it is an

ideal place to hold the Grand Prix.

“There is a lot of work that needs to be done but I really

hope they don't change the course too much, it's so iconic.

“I will definitely be coming here to watch it in 2010 – I

can't wait.”

Jack Middleton, 19, of Coventry, said: “I would definitely

come here to watch it. It's only 45 minutes down the road from

me.

“It's going to be brilliant for the area because of the

amount of money it will bring in.”

Edward Baker, 33, of Bristol, said: “I ride motorbikes and

have ridden both here at Castle Donington and at

Silverstone.

“I definitely prefer the track here though. There are more

reference points on the track and it's less slippery. I find it

a much more enjoyable track to ride on.

“It's great news that F1 is coming here.”

Andy Froggatt, 40, of Newark, said: “It's fantastic news. I

come here quite a lot for the Moto GP and would definitely come

and watch F1 if it was held here.

“My only concern is the problem with the traffic. When I was

last here for the Moto GP, it took about four hours to get out

and I would imagine the Grand Prix would attract even more

people.

“But it's really good news for the area and motorsport fans

in the East Midlands.”

Darren Swift, 46, of Newark, said: “I know they've had the

Grand Prix here before, so it's got a history there, and it's

good that it's coming back.

“I'm a bit worried about the traffic, though. If they can

get that sorted out I think everything else will be fine.”

Andrew Knowles, 45, of Kendal, Cumbria, said: “This is my

first time at Castle Donington. It seems like a good track and

it's got to be a good thing having F1 here, with all the

investment it will bring.”

Sandie Kniarzyk, 39, of Kettering, Northamptonshire, said:

“Being from near Northampton I'm probably a bit biased, but I

think it's a shame it's moving from Silverstone.

“Saying that though, I have marshalled at both venues and

access at Castle Donington is a lot easier, in my opinion.

“I'm not sure if this was the best time to announce the

change though.”