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Donington Park to undergo multi-million pound renovation

Donington Park will undergo a multi-million pound renovation in a bid to restore the infield damage which resulted from the track's ill-fated bid to land the British Grand Prix

Under its previous management, the track's infield was excavated by contractors in January 2009 in order to construct an additional infield loop and re-profile parts of the circuit in preparation for hosting the 2010 British Grand Prix.

The project ultimately fell apart however, with a promised £100 million revamp falling into debt and leaving construction work incomplete.

A new leaseholder, Adroit Group, was found in May 2010, before the Wheatcroft family retook the lease months later.

After two seasons, work has now begun to remedy the infield damage. Planning permission has already been approved for a two-year project to create new spectator banks overlooking the Old Hairpin, Starkeys Bridge and McLeans.

The project will be split into two phases. The restoration of the eastern half of the track is expected to be completed before April 2013, while work on the rest of the circuit will be finished before the start of the 2014 season, for which Donington park has 'significant growth plans'.

Bob Adams, Donington Park Circuit Manager, said: "This is a major project for the Park and will create a fantastic viewing area for all the fans.

"We'll be shaping 250,000 tons of material with topsoil and new grass lawns, right across these 24 acres, to make sure they will work well as our new spectator banks.

"We are also taking the opportunity to construct new roads to improve access to the infield area, both for show cars at major events to reach display areas, but more importantly for the many manufacturer displays and the traders who enjoy the advantages of the infield."

The circuit meanwhile continues to host races, including the finale of this year's FIA World GT1 Championship this weekend.

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