2017 Goodwood Revival will torque your head
Fifty years after the first race was run on a circuit carved out of the former RAF Westhampnett, and more than 30 years after its last competition was run, Charles Gordon-Lennox — until recently the Earl of March, now the 11th Duke of Richmond — brought motorsport back to the Goodwood Circuit in 1998. As with other historic racing events, entries are limited to a specific period — in this case, the track’s active years of 1948 to 1966. Unlike other classic motorsport events, the duke kindly requests that attendees show up to the Goodwood Revival dressed in clothing appropriate to the period. Sure, it’s cosplay. But it’s rad cosplay, and it’s all centered around some of the greatest vintage racing in the world.
In a nod to its background as a grass-strip World War II fighter base, historic aircraft are also invited, and fly-bys from such Second World War stalwarts as P-38s, Corsairs, and Spitfires are a regular occurrence. British car nerds flock to the event in droves; it’s nearly worth the trip across the Atlantic just to flip out over what shows up in the parking lot. Yes, the sea of Ferraris and Porsches in the lot at The Quail each year is impressive, but you’re unlikely to run across a 1970s Ford Cortina in full Wally spec, a Mini Marcos, or a Jensen C-V8.
And the action on the track is superb. Our favorite racing moment of the weekend was watching Tom Kristensen’s charge during the St. Mary’s Trophy race. Kristensen once told us that winning the St. Mary’s Trophy in a Ford Galaxie a few years ago was one of the great highlights of his career. At this point, it bears repeating that Kristensen won the 24 Hours of Le Mans nine times, and managed to pull off six victories at the 12 Hours of Sebring. If it’s not obvious, those who race in the St. Mary’s Trophy competition do so for allout glory, and the competition is especially fierce. This year, Mr. Le Mans was in a 1959 Ford Thunderbird. Starting at the back of the pack on Saturday, Kristensen picked his way through a field that included Austins, Alfas, and even a Nash Metropolitan. Every time the lumbering Ford would come roaring by, it would have gained a position or three. The display was giggle-inducing, but Tom K.’s monstrous performance was sadly cut short by a dislodged exhaust.
The paddock — open to the public — is perfectly mind melting, featuring everything from Morris Minors to Ferrari 250LMs, all being prepped for their outings on the circuit. There’s a replica of a World War II officer’s mess and a large shopping area boasting a mods-versus-rockers display full of old BSAs and Triumph café racers, as well as Vespas and Lambrettas in full Quadrophenia turnout.
And because it’s Europe, a little precipitation puts nothing but a light damper on the proceedings. If you have not seen a GT40 whip by in the rain, might we gently suggest that you do so before you shuffle off this mortal coil? At Goodwood, these fabulous automobiles and motorcycles are being used in the spirit of their construction. It’s muddy, fast, loud, and glorious, and best of all, it’ll all happen again next year. Book your flight, order up a military surplus fishtail parka on eBay, and get thee to Chichester.