Donington Grand Prix Collection to Close This November

[Paul Jeffrey]

The outstanding Donington Park Grand Prix collection will close its doors for the final time this November 5th, it has been confirmed.

Having been an integral part of the Donington Park Grand Prix Circuit location since first opening to the public back in 1973, the Donington Grand Prix Collection has long since become a must see destination for motorsport fans throughout the world.

Developed as a labour of love by the late Tom Wheatcroft, owner of Donington Park until his passing 2009, the Grand Prix Collection has long held one of the most comprehensive and impressive collection of important Formula One machines anywhere in the world.

With such classic examples as the little 1961 Sterling Moss Monaco Grand Prix winning Lotus 18, the incredible 1993 Senna McLaren and a whole host of iconic machines from the likes of Mansell, Hill, Schumacher and Hakkinen to name but a few, the closure of the Grand Prix Museum this coming November 5th will surely be a loss to motorsport fans throughout the UK and further afield.

Citing the decision to close the doors for the final time in almost 45 years as one of financial reasons, current owner Kevin Wheatcroft, son of the late Tom, stated that it no longer makes economic sense to house such an incredible collection of machinery and memorabilia, marking the end of an incredible era for the Leicestershire venue.

If you haven't been before, I could not recommend a visit enough before one of the treasures of British motorsport shuts up shop for the very last time.

Like what you see here at RaceDepartment? Don't forget to like, subscribe and follow us on social media!

 Have you managed to visit the Grand Prix collection already? Are you sad to hear of the news of its closure? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!​

 

[protonv5]

View attachment 273775
The outstanding Donington Park Grand Prix collection will close its doors for the final time this November 5th, it has been confirmed.

Having been an integral part of the Donington Park Grand Prix Circuit location since first opening to the public back in 1973, the Donington Grand Prix Collection has long since become a must see destination for motorsport fans throughout the world.

Developed as a labour of love by the late Tom Wheatcroft, owner of Donington Park until his passing 2009, the Grand Prix Collection has long held one of the most comprehensive and impressive collection of important Formula One machines anywhere in the world.

With such classic examples as the little 1961 Sterling Moss Monaco Grand Prix winning Lotus 18, the incredible 1993 Senna McLaren and a whole host of iconic machines from the likes of Mansell, Hill, Schumacher and Hakkinen to name but a few, the closure of the Grand Prix Museum this coming November 5th will surely be a loss to motorsport fans throughout the UK and further afield.

Citing the decision to close the doors for the final time in almost 45 years as one of financial reasons, current owner Kevin Wheatcroft, son of the late Tom, stated that it no longer makes economic sense to house such an incredible collection of machinery and memorabilia, marking the end of an incredible era for the Leicestershire venue.

If you haven't been before, I could not recommend a visit enough before one of the treasures of British motorsport shuts up shop for the very last time.

Like what you see here at RaceDepartment? Don't forget to like, subscribe and follow us on social media!

 Have you managed to visit the Grand Prix collection already? Are you sad to hear of the news of its closure? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!​

Unfortunately, folks don't appreciate these things as they used to. If it's not on the screen of their phone, they won't take the time to look at it. It may be that real cars will soon be only in our memory.

 

[Paul Jeffrey]

Sadly mate, you are probably right...

Still, for those of us who've been lucky enough to go over the years, it really is mightily spectacular.

 

[mr_belowski]

It's a real loss. I've been round it a couple of times with my lad and it's amazing. Seeing heroic race cars in the flesh (even as non runners) sends shivers down the spine

 

[Emery]

Dang, will take too long for me to get the passport to visit before the doors close.

 

[E304LIFE]

Yes it is sad. A growing trend as well unfortunately. Even the car clubs are diminishing in numbers we've noticed over the last few years.

The conversations always end up with lack of money and time being mentioned...Yet the economies are growing according to the politicians? Don't think so.

 

[Will Mazeo]

Unfortunately, folks don't appreciate these things as they used to. If it's not on the screen of their phone, they won't take the time to look at it. It may be that real cars will soon be only in our memory.

I think the interest for this stuff is growing only if they actually move, there was an interview with one of the US classic organizations talking about increased interest in historic racing

 

[Cosimo]

RD trip to Donington?

 

[Carlitox]

If you haven't been before, I could not recommend a visit enough before one of the treasures of British motorsport shuts up shop for the very last time.

It was a small dream of mine to go there, ever since I learned about it (from a magazine in the late 90s no less). Travelling, however, is extremely expensive. If you're passionate about motorsports (as I'm sure most of us are) and live near the area, and can spare a day, go there one more time, in the name of us who are too far away to do it.

This does not undermine my overall goal to one day visit the UK. It just takes one thing off the list before the trip even starts.

 

[Sam Smith]

I wouldn't be concerned. It's not like they will be scrapped for metal. They will be sold on to some wealthy businessman, serviced and restored and we will see them running again on the track instead of sitting idle. Goodwood revival will need to be run over a week to fit them all in.

 

[Paul Jeffrey]

RD trip to Donington?

I'm going on Sunday, anyone want to join then drop me a message in here

(TCR UK and BRSCC races - https://doningtonpark.msv.com/DP-18-TCR - £16! Bargain)

 

[Durge Driven]

Shame but understandable, imagine the insurance premiums alone

They should amalgamate with other collections and the London Motor Museum

Design a new museum in better location for tourists

Current one is a eyesore, no offence

 

[CDwyer]

Regarding the last day date. Are they going to burn it down?

 

[dale223223]

I think the interest for this stuff is growing only if they actually move, there was an interview with one of the US classic organizations talking about increased interest in historic racing

This X1000. I think museum cars are neat to look at and they should be preserved somehow (maybe a larger museum with a more diverse range of vehicles).

However, if I ever got fortunate enough to get some rare awesome super-car, I'D drive the shoot out of it and I would care less about little blemishes. I know lots of folks who collect cars do so more as an investment and as an ego boost, but THIS is the time OF motorsports and car culture EXISTS NOW. Let the cars sit forever in a museum or some rich dude's garage sometime when petrol is no longer a thing, NOT NOW when driving a motor-car is actually doable.

So as far as regular folks go, of course they'd rather just experience driving or at least riding in the vehicles unless they have a real personal nostalgia for one that warrants looking at it and dealing with the tease of not ever actually experiencing the USE of the machine, which is what makes cars something fun and not just eye candy.

Honestly, I'd much rather play a sim with a particular car than just look in-person at a particular vehicle sitting in a museum. At least then, your experience is more than just doing what you'd do looking at pics (for the most part).

Maybe these museums should try to make money another way by scanning the cars to put into a realistic sim.

 

[Nick Hill]

Shame but understandable, imagine the insurance premiums alone

They should amalgamate with other collections and the London Motor Museum

Design a new museum in better location for tourists

Current one is a eyesore, no offence

It is an eyesore...but simultaneously very British looking, at least to this Yank's eyes.

Seriously, if you had shown me that picture and asked me to speculate on what might be in it, I would have said "I dunno, maybe, like, a bunch of old British sports and race cars?"

I bet it smells like a delicious combination of dampness, dust, and motor oil.

 

[VirtuaIceMan]

Maybe Brooklands will take on some of the cars, that's another great place to visit, if only to climb the crazy banking

 

[wombat999]

The moneyed 'collectors' will jump on this and it will be dispersed to the far corners of the Earth.

 

[LeSunTzu]

+1 Historic cars have become a financial placement.

I don't believe there is no public anymore to watch those cars. It's just that Donington is a bit in the middle of nowhere for the average visitor.

 

[Koen Verlinde]

+1 Historic cars have become a financial placement.

I don't believe there is no public anymore to watch those cars. It's just that Donington is a bit in the middle of nowhere for the average visitor.

Indeed the Automobile museum of Mulhouse and Monaco are still attracting a ton of people, just to note 2.

 

[FJBH10]

So it is still open until the 5th? If so I'm gonna have to make one last pilgrimage to Donington to see it before it goes.