The 750 Motor Club has today (30 March 2012) announced that it will relocate its headquarters to Donington Park.
For many years, the Club’s “HQ” has been Rose Farm in Oakley near Diss – essentially, it has been based at Robin Knight’s house. As you will know, Robin retired from his role as Competition Secretary at the end of 2010, but has kindly allowed Rose Farm to be used since then. But now it is time to move on...
The Board thought hard about where to base the Club in future, and a location in the Midlands has obvious advantages of (relatively) easy access from around the country. It was felt that having an office at a race circuit would be beneficial and have a certain level of prestige, and therefore, after careful investigation of the circuit options and costs, the team of Steve Robinson, Colin Chapman and Giles Groombridge (Events and Marketing Manager) negotiated and agreed to take office space at Donington Park.
Initially this will be in their ‘Conservatory Suite’, but Donington Park Racing (DPR) have plans to construct a new building for 2013, and the Club will have an office there. There are many good reasons to be based at Donington. The Club regularly runs race events there; with plenty of space and an exhibition centre it is a fine venue for Austin 7 gatherings; and Starkey’s Wood, within the grounds, offers a location for Trials events. It is hoped that, over time, the relationship between Donington Park and the Club will extend beyond that of landlord and tenant, with benefits anticipated for the Club and its members.
Christopher Tate, the Managing Director at Donington Park, said: “We have been delighted to have successfully concluded another important element in our plans for this great circuit. The Club has a long, distinguished history, bringing to the fore so many of the great talents of British motor sport. We have found many like minds and spirits at 750MC during our discussions, and we expect to develop this initial arrangement to the mutual benefit of both parties. We hope that 750MC members will enjoy their new home, and we look forward to welcoming them to Donington.”
The move date is 10 April – just after Easter – and the Club’s new administrator, Nicky Funnell (who will be well known to many of you already through her involvement with the Club) will join Giles in being based at Donington. Watch out for details of the Club’s new contact details in due course.
So, thanks to Sharon Rolfe, who will be leaving us as administrator upon the relocation: she has made a tremendous contribution to the Club, and we wish her well for the future. And thanks, too, to Robin, for allowing us to use Rose Farm as our base even after his retirement.