Goodwood Revival 2015
Goodwood Revival 2015 Vintage Car Race
Starts: 2015-09-11
Ends: 2015-09-13
Goodwood Estate
Chichester, West Sussex
UK
The Goodwood Revival 2015: A Personal Account by Mark J Willison
Circulating rapidly in cars constructed from the 40's through to 1966 is the order of the day at the Goodwood Revival. For this year held across 3 days in September and for this year it was 11th to 13th. But it is so much more than racing: Lord March and his team always make for a unique twist on historic racing.
The weekend is a blend of war bird action harking back to the Battle of Britain waged during the Summer and Autumn of 1940, which was marked by a special day all its own the Tuesday after the weekend, being it's 75th anniversary (see my report following), along with several magical moments on track, celebrating life and achievements of Bruce McLaren and 50 years of the AC Cobra Daytona Coupe. All six Daytona Coupes were present on the grid, the first time all were assembled in one place: Quite something. However, there is a small amount of bias, as my home town is Thames Ditton, the home of A.C. In addition, period dress has become the norm for most, irrespective of holding a Paddock Pass, usually obtained through the wonderfully run Goodwood Road Racing Club, of which my Dad and I are members, since 1998, the first Revival. We were also members of the Goodwood Supporters Association, from 1995. The primary objective of which, was to assist with gaining planning permission for a limited number of racing days with an unlimited noise restriction, which of course came into fruition as The Revival and The Members Meeting held in March.
As a small aside, my first visit, to a dormant circuit, was in 1982, the weekend after I passed my driver's test. I now have the pdf doc of the circuit diary on my android, just in case I have the need to plan an unscheduled visit, as I live 20mins up the road. Regrettably, my old Dad, no longer visits the Revival, as he's a tad slow out of the blocks in the morning. I think he can be forgiven, as his first visit to Goodwood was in 1951. Dad has passed on to me his paddock pass, which always travels with me, to all meetings. As you can see, it's not too difficult to establish where my love of the sports stems from.
Always fancied a motorhome to travel to race events, although maybe this 1992 Airstream is a little above my price-point?
A non flying replica of "The Shrew" the original name of the Spitfire.
1969 McLaren Chevrolet M6B
Spitfire with Czech markings.
The Revival has lots of willing models waiting to be photographed.
An assortment of wartime ration books and the like.
the queue to get into the Assembly Area from the Paddock.
Assembly Area from the Paddock.
Lord March's valet team doing a grand job.
Assembly area for the Lavant Cup. This year devoted to 1950's drum braked Ferrari's.
Paddock
Owning an E30 BMW Touring, the BMW dealership in the Paddock is an obvious glue-pot for me.
Jaguar D-types abound
Goodwood fashion again, Verve Cliquot style.
Youthquake.
A rather fine example of a Mini Cooper Van from the Surbiton works. Recently, my mother gave me John Cooper's business card, which was rather lovely of her.
A 1952 Kieft Norton CK52 entered in the Earl of March Trophy.
Latest Tec is available in our wonderful Press Office, for the 1940's.
Latest Tec is available in our wonderful Press Office, for the 1940's.
Entrants for the St. Mary's Trophy, for production based saloons 1960 to 1966. Note: Mini 76, of Nick Swift of Swiftune Engineering and Karun Chandhok, the former F1 driver.
The Freddie March Spirit of Aviation area.
The Art Deco inspired Aero Club building making its Revival debut.
David Fitzsimmons and Frank Stippler shared this rather beautiful Alfa 1600 GTA. If I could take one car away from the event, it would be this. Bella Alfa.
Our Patron of the event: Lord March in the assembly area, obliging an autograph.
J.D. Classics look after the Revival Course Cars, including this Aston Martin DB5.
James Martin the chef and host of the National BBC TV cookery programme , Saturday Morning Live, which I usually watch with the idea I might become a better cook?
Jochan Mass shared Bill Shepherd's Galaxie. The St Mary Trophy is run as two heats, on Saturday and Sunday, switching drivers. The aggregated time decides the result.
Le Mans winners, Derek Bell and Tom Kristensen, 14 between them.
A 1961 Jaguar E-type FHC, with a fairly famous licence plate, CUT 7.
Time for an un-wind before the off.
1964 Sunbeam Lister Tiger, shared by Chris Beighton and Matt Neal, 3 times BTCC Champion.
The 'Hairy Canary' AC Cobra.
The 'Hairy Canary' AC Cobra.
Peter Mullen's 1964 BRM P261, being readied for the Glover Trophy.
Mark Piercy's Lola Climax Mk4.
Katarina Kyvalova, waiting to cross the traffic to the Paddock. Sharing her 1954 Cooper Jaguar T33 with Philip Keen, came 3rd in the Freddie March Memorial Trophy. Being the first race of the weekend, held Friday evening at 6 pm raced into the twilight for 90mins. It made for some stunning photography.
Free Practice for the TT Celebration, Friday afternoon, as taken from the Press Area inside the Chicane again. The TT Celebration is promoted as the 'Jewel in the Goodwood Revival Crown' attracting some massively valuable machinery. And, they're properly raced.
Free Practice for the TT Celebration, Friday afternoon,
Free Practice for the TT Celebration, Friday afternoon,
Free Practice for the TT Celebration, Friday afternoon,
The Freddie March Memorial Trophy.
The Freddie March Memorial Trophy.
The Freddie March Memorial Trophy.
The Freddie March Memorial Trophy.
In the Earls Court Motor Show.
A rather English Milkman, was there to greet us on the way into the circuit Saturday morning; couldn't really say that I only drink espresso.
Trying to get a little 'arty' with my photography in the Cobra Daytona Coupe garage.
These were taken from above the pit counters. There's also a bar, which has to be the best bar in the world. Sadly, it only operates 3 days per year.
These were taken from above the pit counters.
These were taken from above the pit counters.
These were taken from above the pit counters.
These were taken from above the pit counters.
These were taken from above the pit counters.
A spot of glamour, Revival style.
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