GOLDEN AGE OF RACING
Goodwood Revival plays host to best-ever motorcycling line-up
‘This is my first Revival and it’s been brilliant’
Over 100,000 flocked to Goodwood Circuit last weekend to witness some of motorcycling’s greatest riders do battle in the Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy races.
The race is the two-wheeled highlight of the annual Goodwood Revival, which celebrates historic motorsport on two and four wheels. And this year’s star-studded rider line-up was widely-regarded as its greatest ever, seeing 31-time MotoGP race winner, Dani Pedrosa, line up alongside the likes of Peter Hickman, Troy Corser, Michael Dunlop, John McGuinness and James Whitham on an assortment of ’50s and ’60s machines.
“I’m really happy to have come and the experience is unbelievable,” Pedrosa told MCN. “The racing is so much fun and the riders are joking during the racing and also after the racing, too!”
Having never ridden a classic machine before the event, the Spanish former 125cc and double 250cc world champion was able to manage an aggregated ninth overall aboard the 1963 Manx Norton 30M he shared with compatriot Joaquín Folch-Rusinol Jnr.
“There’s such a good atmosphere and zero stress,” Pedrosa added. “It’s all about having fun and, with this super weather we have had all weekend, ithas been perfect.” The overall winners of the event, which was contested by a mouthwatering selection of classic Manx Nortons, Matchless G50s, BSAs, and more, was 2019 Supersport TT winner, Lee Johnston, who partnered Jon-Boy Lee to victory in both races aboard their howling 1966 MV Agusta 500/3.
Another current racer taking part in their first Revival was 2019 British Superstock 1000 champion, Richard Cooper, who qualified on pole on Friday on his first visit to the circuit alongside teammate Steve Parrish. “I’ve done the (Goodwood) Festival of Speed two or three times,” debutant Cooper said. “But I just hope that I’ve made a good enough impression to get invited back in years to come because I’m getting to an age where this racing actually suits me!
And he continued:
“The line-up this year is unbelievable. Last night we were at the ball dancing with Dani Pedrosa like we’d known each other for years. I think everyone who’s been part of the lineup has made this event for the bikes and hopefully it has raised its profile.”
Cooper’s thoughts were echoed by Hickman, who said: “This is my first Revival and it’s been awesome - I’ve really, really enjoyed it. I don’t think I’ve ever ridden anything as old as the bike I’m riding this weekend, a Manx Norton 30M from 1962. But it’s been brilliant, I’ve really enjoyed it, and the team have done a fantastic job.” Hickman, who was second overall, added: “It’s been an enjoyable weekend and something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. But it normally clashes with BSB. This year I finally managed to make it and I’m really glad I did.”
It wasn’t all plain sailing though, with the current Isle of Man TT lap record holder admitting: “Through the corners you need to pick up the throttle quite early and keep the chain taught. It’s something you learn through trial and error. I made a few mistakes early on and just kind of figured it out as I went.”