The Donington Exhibition

[TpdNotts]

Visited this at the weekend and had a really enjoyable and informative time. Anyone else been and were you impressed? Thought it was value for money too.

[nonplussed]

First off, well done for spelling Donington correctly!

I went there years ago and thought it was great, lots of priceless machinery in slightly scruffy surroundings, doesn't get more British than that.

[Eric Mc]

Are you talking about the historic racing car collection?

[Rude-boy]

Eric Mc said:

Are you talking about the historic racing car collection?

Could have been the Fast Ford show at the exhibition centre (no idea if that was on!)

Haven't been in Uncle Tom's garage for a while but it really is worth a visit if you have time and are in the area. One of the best things about that place is that quite a few of the cars actually get the chance to stretch their legs every so often.

[Eric Mc]

What is confusing is the use of the word "Exhibition". Donington has the Exhibition Centre - which is a set of display halls and nothing to do with the Donington Collection, which is a permanent motor racing museum (and very good it is too).

[TpdNotts]

Eric Mc said:

Are you talking about the historic racing car collection?

Sorry, Yes, it was the Donington Collection!

The new look Cafe was a treat too. Worth going just for the breakfast cobs!

I know very little about motorsport but it was indeed an education. Some beautiful pieces of machinery. I knew very little about the bloke who began it all, Wheatcroft and it was interesting to realise just how much time and money he has dedicated to showing people items that would otherwise be in private collections or presumably in the back of someones shed/garage. The old bikes were a treat!

[williamp]

Yep, a great museum. Would be a good Phead meeting in the summer, perhaps

[TpdNotts]

williamp said:

Yep, a great museum. Would be a good Phead meeting in the summer, perhaps

Well there's a decent bar (including champers) and the outside bit looks nice enough to sit and chat with a drink on a summers day!

[chevronb37]

I haven't been in years - the only time I'm in the area is to watch cars on-track. I did go and pay my respects to the Roger Williamson statue there in 2007 and browsed the shop. TW is a remarkable guy. In his autobiography, he tells a tale of going out to visit one of his sites in his first GP car - a Lotus 18 IIRC - and getting caught by the police en route. What a legend!

[BelperJim]

I paid it a visit in the summer was great. It is a great place for a meet huuuuuuuge car park.

Plus only 15 mins up the road from me

Edited by BelperJim on Wednesday 18th February 14:38

[Puff Puff]

Eric Mc said:

What is confusing is the use of the word "Exhibition". Donington has the Exhibition Centre - which is a set of display halls and nothing to do with the Donington Collection, which is a permanent motor racing museum (and very good it is too).

Not any more. The Exhibition Centre has been demolished (or is due to be) as part of the Donington re-vamp for next year's GP.

[mudster]

It's an old thread, but just been announced the Donington collection will close for good on 5th November this year.

If you want to see it, be quick.