Donington Park Race Track & Grand Prix Collection

Donington Park motor racing circuit was the first permanent park circuit in England.

Its first motorcycle race took place on Whit Monday 1931 on the narrow lanes of the Donington Hall Estate. In 1933 the track was widened, made permanent and became a venue for Grand Prix car racing.

The second world war put an end to all racing at the circuit in 1939, after being requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence to be used as a military vehicle depot. Then in 1971 Donington Park was purchased by Tom Wheatcroft, a local man made good. Passionate about motorsport and Donington from his early days, when he cycled to watch the pre-war motor racing at the circuit.

During the War, Tom served driving tanks and upon his return to civilian life he set up a successful building business. Having made his fortune, his passion returned to motorsport. He sponsored drivers at various levels and amassed the largest collection of motor racing cars in the world.

Now known as the Donington Grand Prix Exhibition, his classic car collection moved to the circuit soon after he purchased it, where it continues to grow.

In 1987, with the staging of the FIM World Championship British Motorcycle Grand Prix, Donington helped turn the event around in terms of spectator appeal, bringing in record numbers through the turnstiles.

It became the favoured home of the British round of the Moto GP motorcycling championships and British Superbike Championships. Probably because the circuits twists and turns provide the crowd with a racing spectacle and the rider’s skills are really put to the test.

Donington is a fans' favourite with too many spectacles'  to list but who could forget Barry Sheene, the last British 500cc world champion, returning to Donington Park after that terrible crash at Silverstone riding a Yamaha.

Donington Grand Prix Collection

Donington Grand Prix Collection is the world's largest collection of grand prix cars. The cars are exhibited together at the famous Donington Park racetrack in the East Midlands.

Four halls, with over 130 exhibits, illustrate the history of motorsport from the turn of the 20th Century, where visitors can get close to the cars driven by such famous names as Nuvolari, Mansell, Prost, Moss, Fangio and Stewart.

The Donington Grand Prix Collection houses the largest collection of McLaren and Williams racing cars in the world (outside of their respective factories), and the only complete collection of Vanwalls.

The world's largest selection of Grand Prix drivers' helmets is also part of the collection.

The Wheatcroft Collection

In addition to the Grand Prix cars, part of The Wheatcroft Collection has also gone on display at the world famous Donington Grand Prix Collection. The first hall has been transformed to hold part of the collection 'never seen before in public'. A number of World War II vehicles and motorcycles have arrived at the museum and more are expected to join these vehicles throughout the coming year.