Big plans for Donington

Simon Gillett was at the Motorsport Business Forum in Monte Carlo last week and gave more details of the plans for the 2010 British Grand Prix. Gillett said that he has been working on the idea for five or six years and that the idea came because he could not convince his wife to go racing because of the poor customer service: typified by aggressive security, poor food and poor toilet facilities. Gillett believes that the sport needs to focus on the customer a great more if it is to develop in the future.

This led to him taking a 150-year lease on Donington Park and then concluding a 10-year deal to run the British GP at the circuit between 2010 and 2019. The circuit is in the process of getting the necessary planning permissions for the development that is planned. Although the circuit will be upgraded, more than 60% of the investment of around $150m is going to go into facilities which will provide the circuit with sustainable assets for use at other times of the year. The F1 Media Centre, for example, which is required for a Grand Prix, will be used at other times as a state-of-the-art auditorium.

Gillett says that the aim is for Donington to become an entertainment destination first and foremost, with the racing providing the main theme, although the circuit also enjoys much success as a concert venue and for its weekly Sunday market, which boasts more than 300 stalls each week, offers free parking, a small entrance fee and generates considerable income for the track. The funding of the work is going to be achieved by a variety of different means, including the leasing of houses that will be built next to the track, with four-car garages for collectors and direct access to the circuit. There will also be a debenture scheme which will not only guarantee seating at big events but will also give access to an impressive new clubhouse and to VIP parking at the F1 event. More at Grandprix.com