DONINGTON Park owner and lifelong motor racing fan Tom Wheatcroft has died aged 87.

The multimillionaire businessman died on Saturday at his home in Arnesby, near Market Harborough, Leicestershire, after a lengthy illness.

His death comes just days after Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone revealed Donington would definitely not be hosting next year's British Grand Prix.

Tributes to Mr Wheatcroft were led by McLaren Formula One team principal Martin Whitmarsh.

He said: "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.

"He will, of course, be very much missed.

"So, on behalf of all at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, I would like to convey to his large family and his many friends our sincere condolences at this very sad time.''

Mr Wheatcroft dedicated his life to motorsport after being captivated by it as a teenager in the 1930s.

He would regularly cycle the 30 miles from his parents' home in Leicester to watch the clashes between Auto Union and Mercedes-Benz grand prix cars at Donington Park.

But the track closed in 1939 and was used by the Ministry of Defence throughout the Second World War.

During the war Mr Wheatcroft joined the Army and was posted to Burma, India, Iraq, Iran, North Africa, Italy, Belgium and Germany.

Over the following decades he began amassing a personal collection of classic racing cars and in 1971, having generated a personal fortune in the construction business, bought the Donington Park circuit.

After taking it over he moved his collection of racing cars to the site; six years later, following extensive rebuilding work, the circuit held its first race meeting in 38 years.

In 1993 Mr Wheatcroft achieved his greatest ambition when Donington Park hosted the European Grand Prix.

The race was a one-off, however, with Mr Wheatcroft himself admitting later that the venue was not built to cater for Formula One.

In 2007, Simon Gillett and his company Donington Ventures Ltd acquired a 150-year lease for the circuit and announced in July 2008 it had secured a 17-year deal to host the British Grand Prix. Mr Wheatcroft had helped secure the deal, but last month it fell through.

caroline.lowbrideg@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk