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Goodwood Revival 2018 preview: step back in time for a magical weekend of motor racing

If you love close racing, you've come to the right place... - Geoff Pugh
If you love close racing, you've come to the right place... - Geoff Pugh

It is hard to believe that the Goodwood Revival is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the circuit having reopened for competitive use in September 1998 after its closure in 1966.

The Revival was launched as a return to the golden age of motor racing in the Fifties and Sixties, when Goodwood hosted top-level meetings featuring the best drivers of the era. It has since grown exponentially to become one of the biggest historic motorsport events in the world and the only one to be staged entirely in period dress.

The Goodwood team are sticklers for detail, and as well as encouraging period costume all the features within the circuit perimeter are strictly pre-1966. Not always authentic, admittedly, but certainly of an authentic style.

With such a momentous anniversary to celebrate from September 7-9, Goodwood has pulled out all the stops to invite as many previous winners - and their cars - as possible, with a 60-car track parade on each of the three days featuring the great and the good of motorsport, past and present.

There are 14 races spread over the three days, featuring a superb variety of racing cars produced from the Thirties right up to the Goodwood circuit’s closure in 1966.

PHOTO:JEFF GILBERT Goodwwod Revival 2017, Chichester, Hampshire, UK 09.09.2017 Picture shows cars getting some last minute attention ahead of the race. Commission May0078732 Assigned. DT Motoring - Credit: Jeff Gilbert
As well as the finest historic racing cars, expect a fashion show of vintage styles like no other Credit: Jeff Gilbert

The undoubted highlights are the ultra-competitive St Mary’s Trophy two-part race, in which a pro/am driver pairing share some of the greatest saloon cars of the Sixties, along with the Royal Automobile Club TT Celebration.

This one-hour race (with a mandatory driver change) has become a centrepiece since its debut at the very first Revival in 1998. Open to closed-cockpit GT cars in the spirit of the RAC TT races from 1960-64, expect to see more than £100 million-worth of cars from Ferrari, Aston Martin and Jaguar, along with a posse of rumbling AC Cobras.

Highlights away from the wheel-to-wheel action on the circuit include a tribute to renowned private entrant Rob Walker, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the first World Championship Grand Prix win by a rear-engined car. Not only that, but Stirling Moss’s win in Argentina in 1958 was also the first for an independent team and, of course, the first for Cooper (whose achievements have just been recognised by an English Heritage 'blue plaque' at its former Surbiton workshops).

PHOTO:JEFF GILBERT Goodwwod Revival 2017, Chichester, Hampshire, UK 09.09.2017 Picture shows Ferraris battle it out for the Goodwood Trophy. Commission May0078732 Assigned. DT Motoring - Credit: Jeff Gilbert
A brace of Ferrari 250 LMs and a Cobra coupé do battle at the Goodwood chicane Credit: Jeff Gilbert

Rather more prosaic celebrations include 70 years of the Austin FX3 taxi and the formation of British railways. The taxis should be relatively easy, but we wouldn’t put it past the Duke of Richmond and his team to haul a 1948 steam locomotive around the circuit during the lunch break…

Also 70 this year is Britain’s favourite 4x4, the original Land Rover, so expect a huge variety of “landies” produced between 1948 and 1966 on display. Oh, and it’s 60 years since the appearance of the hula-hoop, apparently, which Goodwood is sure to celebrate in some style.

On the infield near the open paddock is where you’ll find the Earls Court Motor Show, a retro-themed concours d’elegance presented in the style of the historic London shows.

This year, it is devoted to the cars and motorcycles driven and ridden by film legend Steve McQueen.

Steve McQueen gets into his Jaguar XKSS in Hollywood in June 1963 - Credit: John Dominis/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Steve McQueen gets into his Jaguar XKSS in Hollywood in June 1963. The car will be on display at this year's Goodwood Revival Credit: John Dominis/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

An impressive line-up of vehicles used and owned by McQueen, along with some of the cars and bikes he made famous though his film roles, will be displayed within Earls Court at Goodwood, along with a number of car manufacturer exhibits, such as BMW, Aston Martin, Ford and Maserati, each showcasing their heritage, plus modern creations that are permitted as “models of the future”.

Vehicles owned by McQueen will include an ultra-rare Jaguar XK SS, Ferrari 250 GT Lusso, 1950s Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, Brough Superior SS80 motorcycle and a customised Radford Mini Cooper S from the Sixties.

Naturally, his film cars include the Ford Shelby Mustang GT390 and Dodge Charger 440 R/T from the epic Bullitt car chase through the undulating streets of San Francisco, plus the famous Triumph TR6 Trophy motorcycle (disguised as a pre-war BMW R75) from the well-known jump scene at the end of The Great Escape. They will be joined by a Porsche 917 K and Ferrari 512 S, as used in the 1971 blockbuster Le Mans.

David Llewellyn, Alasdair Emslie & Tessa Llewellyn alongside 1920's Vauxhall and a Spitfire at the Goodwood Revival in W.Sussex, 07-09-2002.Pic by John Robertson, Tel. 07850 931219. - Credit: John Robertson
The Goodwood circuit's past as an RAF fighter base in the Second World War only adds to the palpable sense of history at the Revival Credit: John Robertson

The Revival is also famed for its flying displays by suitably period aircraft - often including more Spitfires that could imagine are still flying - in recognition of Goodwood’s history as an RAF fighter base during the Second World War. Lest we forget, this year is also the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force.

Other highlights include a bigger, better Revival Fashion section, now relocated to the event’s replica period high street. As well as clothes and accessories on sale, there are fashions shows each day and Q&As on period hair and beauty.

So, gents, dust off your tweeds and trilbies and ladies, prepare your frocks and furs - and we’ll see you there.

Tickets for the Friday and Sunday are still available: details and prices at Goodwood.com

THE RACES

Friday September 7: 

Kinrara Trophy (60 mins – two driver)

The traditional Revival curtain-raiser will once again feature a beautiful grid of closed-cockpit, 3.0-litre or over GT cars such as Ferrari 250 SWBs, Aston Martin DB4GTs and Jaguar E-types.

Saturday September 8:

Fordwater Trophy (20 mins)

Open to production-based sports and GT cars in the spirit of the original Goodwood Members’ Meetings of 1948-1966, this year marking the 70th anniversary of the Jaguar XK120.

Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy, Part 1 (25 mins – two rider)

For motorcycles of a type that raced before 1959, featuring some of the biggest names in motorcycle racing. It is named in honour of Britain’s late world champion, who continued to race at the Revival despite being diagnosed with the cancer that finally claimed his life.

St Mary’s Trophy presented by Motul – part 1 (25 mins)

The Revival’s second double-header features a pro/am driver line-up sharing some of the greatest saloon cars of the 1960s. One of the most popular races of the weekend, Saturday’s encounter sees tin-top stars past and present go wheel-to-wheel.

Goodwood Trophy (20 mins)

Grand Prix & Voiturette cars from 1930-51 slide their way around Goodwood’s fast curves. Recent years have been dominated by ERAs, but the Italian stallions of Alfa and Maserati are never far off the pace.

Whitsun Trophy (25 mins)

The fastest race of the weekend, featuring mighty, pre-1966 unlimited sports cars such as Ford GT40s, Lola T70 Spyders, Lotus 30s and McLaren M1Bs.

Freddie March Memorial Trophy (20 mins)

Stunning endurance-racing Aston Martins, Ferraris, Jaguars and Maseratis duel into the sunset for the last event of the Saturday. This race harks back to the Goodwood Nine Hour races of 1952-53 and ’55.

Sunday September 9:

Chichester Cup (20 mins)

Always a Formula Junior race, this year’s Chichester Cup caters for disc-braked examples from 1960-63. The smallest cars of the weekend always provide exciting racing, with positions changing hands at almost every corner.

Richmond & Gordon Trophies (20 mins)

For 2.5-litre Grand Prix cars of a type that raced between 1952 and 1960, with examples from Maserati, Ferrari and BRM recalling memories of Stirling Moss and Mike Hawthorn’s Goodwood wins.

Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy, part 2 (25 mins – two rider)

The overall finishing positions will be decided as Saturday’s winners aim to cling on to their advantage. Races can be won and lost by the smallest of margins – 2014’s combined result decided by less than half a second.

St Mary’s Trophy presented by Motul – part 2 (25 mins)

The owners get the keys to their tin-top classics back from the professional drivers in the second part of the St Mary’s Trophy for saloon cars from 1960-66.

Royal Automobile Club TT Celebration (60 mins – two-driver)

Open to closed-cockpit GT cars in the spirit of the RAC TT races from 1960-64, this hour-long pro/am feast has seen some of the greatest displays of driving ever to grace a racing track.

Glover Trophy (20 mins)

For rear-engined Grand Prix cars of a type that raced from 1961-65, featuring sleek entries produced by Lotus, Brabham, BRM, Cooper and Ferrari.

Sussex Trophy (25 mins)

The curtain-closer features sports cars and production sports-racing cars of a type that raced between 1955 and 1960. Featuring Jaguar D-types, Costin & Knobbly-bodied Listers, as well as Coopers, Ferraris and Maseratis.

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