The rapid revival of Donington Park from its low period at the end of 2009, to its present position with new events being added to an already busy 2012 calendar, was recognised at the International Historic Motoring Awards last night.
Kevin Wheatcroft, owner of Donington Park and the operating company’s Executive Chairman, won the prestigious ‘Personal Achievement of the Year’ award, sponsored by the Sunday Times and presented by BBC F1 commentator Martin Brundle, at a glittering awards ceremony in London’s dramatic new 5 star hotel, the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel last night, Wednesday 16th November.
After a heartbreaking chapter in the life of the Leicestershire racing circuit, Donington Park was handed back to the Wheatcroft family on Christmas Eve 2009. For new owner Kevin Wheatcroft, the decision to retain the circuit himself rather than lease it out for several years was easy. He took on the resurrection of Donington Park in memory of his late father Tom Wheatcroft, and also in response to the thousands of letters that flooded in from supporters. As a result, the restored circuit was awarded the 2011 World Superbikes event, plus a round of the British Touring Car Championship, and the Donington Historic Festival.
The Historic Motoring special award, won against strong worldwide competition from USA, Europe and the Far East, celebrated Donington Park's return to the front line of European motor sport.
Kevin said:- “I am really pleased to accept this important award, as above all it recognises the huge efforts and hard work put in by my team at Donington Park. We started racing again only in September 2010, after much needed fresh investment, and now we’ve run one whole season of racing on both 2 and 4 wheels and can see exactly where we are headed. Everyone has worked very hard, and we all think this award makes it all worthwhile."
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