Nov.1 (GMM) Tom Wheatcroft, the owner of the Donington circuit in Britain, has died aged 87 after a long illness.
He bought the circuit in 1971 and redeveloped it, hosting the European grand prix won famously by Ayrton Senna in 1993.
In recent times he has leased the track to Simon Gillett, who last week failed in his final efforts to remain in contract to host the next 17 British grands prix.
“The term ‘legend’ is maybe used a little too liberally in the world of sport, but without doubt it is justified in the case of Tom Wheatcroft,” McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh is quoted as saying by the BBC.
Wheatcroft died on Saturday.
