Mat Coch writes:

According to Kevin Wheatcroft, who took control of the Midlands circuit from his late father in October, the future of Donington Park has been secured.

Speaking for the first time since administrators failed to find a buyer after DVLL's collapse, Wheatcroft has said he is doing everything in his power to secure the future of the circuit. He claims that as many as twelve potential buyers for the circuit have been identified, despite the administrators failure to secure a deal.

However, these claims are alleged to be wide of the mark, as it's understood Simon Gillett himself signed a deal with administrators on December 18. Financed through a Qatar based investor, Gillett signed a deal to retain control of Donington Park. The following day however his backer withdrew, leaving Gillett to find the £200k non-refundable deposit.

That Gillett was the only interested party did not come as a surprise to some former Donington staff, who allege that Gillett and Wheatcroft attempted to undermine one another in an attempt to ultimately end up in control. Indeed, it is alleged that Wheatcroft went as far as ordering all racing in 2010 to be cancelled in order to compromise any hope of finding a new owner once administrators were appointed.

The allegations also name a member of Wheatcroft's staff, adding that the individual was removed by the administrators as their actions were counter productive to any would-be buyer. Indeed, one well known circuit owner is alleged to have expressed an interest to this individual who never followed through with an approach to the administrators.

Wheatcroft now has a less sellable investment than when DVLL were in charge. The DVLL model of selling hospitality via a debenture scheme looked, on paper at least, to be hugely profitable, though this was contingent on a Grand Prix. Without a Grand Prix, any scheduled racing in 2010 and £4 million of annual rent, investors are tasked with a circuit with less potential than before DVLL became involved. MotoGP too has departed the circuit in favour of Silverstone for 5 years.

While the museum, café and race control tower have this week reopened, the circuit still requires £600,000 of investment to return it to a state fit for racing. While Wheatcroft has stated he is looking for investors, insiders suggest that tax considerations prevent him running the circuit directly.

How serious Kevin Wheatcroft is about reopening Donington remains unclear. While he publicly claims to be actively seeking investment to ensure the longevity of the circuit there are suggestions that all is not what it seems.