Kevin Wheatcroft has vowed to return Donington Park to its former glory to honour the memory of his late father.

Wheatcroft has resumed control of the circuit after administrators failed to find new leaseholders following the collapse of former tenants Donington Ventures Leisure Limited.

DVLL, which was run by Simon Gillett, left Donington in a state of disrepair after failing to turn the venue into a state-of-the-art facility fit for Formula One, and unable to host any events in its current condition.

Wheatcroft, son of circuit founder Tom who passed away at the end of October last year, is adamant, however, the track has a future.

"My father lived for his work and motorsport," Wheatcroft told the Derby Telegraph.

"He put his heart and soul into Donington Park and he was very upset by what happened to it and the mess it was left in.

"I am particularly upset because the Donington problems took up time that should have been spent with my father as he was dying.

"Whatever happens in the future, I will make sure his name will always be synonymous with the park."

Wheatcroft has at least re-opened the museum, cafe and race control office in a bid to save as many jobs as possible.

In terms of seeing racing back on the track, Wheatcroft added: "We have been assessing what is required to put things back as they were.

"We reckon this will cost in the region of about £600,000, but to get it up to grand prix standard you could add a couple of zeroes.

"We want to get the place operational again. Hopefully we can get it up and running again as soon as possible.

"I can reassure people we are doing everything we can to get things back to normal at Donington Park."

Wheatcroft concedes, though, he will require help, and he is hoping someone will take up the lease again to run the circuit.

"We need to sell the lease to someone who can run the circuit on a full-time basis," added Wheatcroft.

"It's too big a job for us and we want to identify someone who can take it forward.

"There is no shortage of people interested. We have found 12 potential buyers for the lease in just 12 days."