Oulton Park Gold Cup: Up close for spectacular touring car action

Austin-only touring car battle, a race dedicated to BMW’s sports car, and 3500 of your classics on show – here’s why you musn’t miss the Revival

I t’s going to be one heck of a battle – BMW 328s and their Bristol descendants jostling for position in a one-off race is just one of the sights you won’t want to miss at this weekend’s Goodwood Revival.

The Lavant Cup, which in the past has brought together Jaguar D-types, Ferrari 250 GTOs and Ford GT40s for single-marque battles at the glorious West Sussex circuit, is being dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the BMW sports car and the later Bristol 400 series models it inspired.

The heady three-day whirl of period costumes and historic racing also includes the chance to see some of the world’s top racing drivers all going head to head in Austin A30s and A35s – turn to page 4 for our news story on what to expect from this feature. The event’s opening day also includes the debut of the Kinrara Trophy dusk race for pre1963 tintop sports cars, so expect to see plenty of Aston Martin DB4s and Jaguar E-types howling down the Lavant Straight as the sun sets.

There’ll also be a on-track parade paying tribute to the late Sir Jack

’You’ll see Astons and E-types howling down the Lavant Straight’

Brabham to mark 50 years since he became the only driver to win the Formula One World championship in a car bearing his own name, with single-seaters, saloons and sports cars linked to the Australian racer’s career. Goodwood is also marking half a century since new F1 regulations ushered in an era of 3.0-litre cars, which will be taking part in high speed demonstration runs around the circuit.

Familiar fixtures to Revival regulars are back too, including the Settrington Cup race for younger racers furiously pedalling their Austin J40s, and the Sussex Trophy outings for late 1950s sports cars like Jaguar D-types and Aston Martin DBR1s.

Wander away from the Goodwood grandstands and there’s the indoor Earls Court Motor Show, filled with classics from the UK’s car manufacturer heritage collections. Also look out for the vintage aviation displays throughout the weekend. Even the visitors’ car park – named Over The Road – is an event in itself, with more than 3500 of your pre1976 favourites going on show.

The circuit gates open at 7.30 every morning and the races and demonstrations take place throughout the day. But make sure you allow plenty of time for traffic queues on the way in.

■ grrc.goodwood.com/section/ goodwood-revival