Miguel Sánchez
With just over three kilometers of track, the Goodwood Circuit is one of the key stages for the world classic calendar. However, it is also true for the history of British motoring itself. Not in vain, along its three kilometers inescapable events have occurred for any racing mythomaniac. To get started, Graham Hill and Mike Hawthorn took their first steps as pilots here. Some encouraging beginnings that contrast with the endings found by Stirling Moss and Bruce McLaren. The first suffered in the curve of St. Mary's an accident that left him in a coma for a month in 1962. The curtain fell on his career on the circuits.
And the second, finding death by going off the track while testing an M8D in 1970. It occurred after a failure in the rear of the car; losing control and then crashing into a bunker. And it is that, after all, the Goodwood Circuit was created from the perimeter track of an airfield designed by the RAF during World War II. This being the case, it is evident how the mere mention of this place can instill respect in any passionate about racing. Even more so if, as is our case, we refer to classic races. Just the ones that have been celebrated again at the Goodwood Revival this past weekend.
As has become normal for years, not a few of the best competition machines ever created have come together here. Many of them unique pieces, even programming a spectacular section for military aircraft. With all that it is extremely difficult to make a selection from what has been seen. Even more so if we take into account how the entry list for Goodwood Revival 2022 has reached the 32 pages. However, reviewing the graphic material we have found a moment that summarizes very well what these races mean. A photograph so full of cutting-edge engineering that, in itself, it is well worth an article. And yes, that's how we're going to do it.
GOODWOOD REVIVAL 2022, ONE TAKE
At Goodwood Revival 2022 there have been various themed trophies where you can admire F1 single-seaters, endurance models and a large number of Ferrari units. However, in a more popular sense what was most notable was the huge concentration of Austin 7. The iconic British model launched in 1923 whose impact is comparable to that of the Ford T in the United States. Small, light and uncomplicated, this inline four-cylinder was the necessary foundation for many of the high-end sports cars concentrated at Goodwood Revival 2022.
Not surprisingly, the first racing cars created by Bruce McLaren and Colin Chapman had the Austin 7 as their base. Impossible not to remember this when listening to the thunderous step of the McLaren and Lotus of F1. Also, the first car in the BMW range was a license-built variant of this utility. However, if you go to Goodwood it is not to behold vehicles that are easily matched on UK streets. But to see key milestones in the golden years of resistance in motion.
And it is only here that you can see two Lister-Jaguars running alongside a Lotus-Climax. True pinnacles of British engineering thanks to a recipe based on weight reduction and power increase. But let's go by parts. To get started, to the left of the image appears a Lister-Jaguar “knobbly”From 1959. Common in the Goodwood Revival races, this model happens to be the most iconic of all those of the Cambridge company. Founded in 1954 by designer Brian Lister, at first this was just going to be another of the small garage shops so abundant in England at the time.
However, over the years it has become a true legend thanks to the imprint left by Archie Scott Brown. One of the most charismatic British drivers, praised even by Fangio thanks to his special ability to set up cars. In fact, Scott Brown not only served as official pilot until his fatal accident in Spa. But also was the necessary tester to understand the excellent progression experienced by Lister cars. First powered by American-made V8 engines; moving later to a clear commitment to Jaguar mechanics and even Maserati. In the case of the Lister-Jaguar “knobbly” we find a six-cylinder in line capable of yielding up to 256CV. All this to, together with its extreme lightness, win the American SCCA championship. An unmitigated success.
Returning to the snapshot with which we are writing our text, a Lister-Jaguar stands out in the middle of it “Costin” of 1958. Quite a case study from the point of view of aerodynamics. Not in vain, as its name indicates, it was designed by Frank Costin; the aeronautical engineer responsible for the lines of the Lotus MKVIII in 1954. An essential man to understand how Colin Chapman is betting in an increasingly refined way on the improvement of the chassis and aerodynamics. Being also hired by Lister in order to remain competitive in the most generous displacements.
And it is that, facing the 1958 season, this small independent manufacturer had a serious problem. A serious problem based on the impossibility of continuing to evolve its engines at the pace set by the most prestigious manufacturers. That being the case, if he didn't want to definitely lose the rope with respect to the Jaguar, Ferrari or Maserati, he had to influence aspects that he could control. Aspects such as chassis, weight or aerodynamics. A not strange situation for any F1 fan. Well, after all, that same year Cooper launched its mid-engined T43 precisely to expertly overtake the raw power delivered by the best engine manufacturers.
At this point, Costin began designing a new tubular trellis chassis. Light, stiff and complex. Above all, very complex. So much so that he did not have time to have it ready, so he had to mount his body on the base used in the "knobbly" from the previous year. Nevertheless, the aerodynamics of the Lister-Jaguar “Costin” was a noticeable leap forward. Moreover, this became one of Jim Clark's favorite models. Something that is not surprising, since the Scotsman was the most symbolic driver for Lotus. And well, it is clear how Lister and Lotus shared many ideas about how to build a racing car.
For this reason, in the triad that appeared in the photograph that shapes this article, few things could act as a better culmination than a Lotus 15. With a tubular chassis, aluminum bodywork, a really low center of gravity and a transaxle system. One of the most refined designs among all those presented by Lotus during the fifties, inheriting many elements previously tested in F1.
Also, the Lotus 15 made its Goodwood debut! With Graham Hill at the controls during the 1958 Sussex Trophy dispute. Precisely, the race that is honored at the current Goodwood Revival by bearing the same name. Race in which, closing the narrative circle, the image on which we have based this article was taken. In short, things that only happen in a place like this.
Photographs: Unai Ona
P.D. At the end of the article, they comment on two issues with a clear Hispanic accent that deserve to be mentioned. The first is the participation of Joaquin Folch in various races of this Goodwood Revival 2022. In one of them, by the way, sharing the wheel of a Jaguar E-Type with Pedro de la Rosa himself. Furthermore, this has managed to include three different generations at Goodwood since, while he competed in cars, his son did it on motorcycles and two grandchildren in the nice children's race with pedal models. Continuing with Spanish-speaking participations, the Argentine Manuel Elicabe stood out with four vehicles. One of them was the Maserati A6GCS from 1955 with which he ran the Madgwick Cup. A fascinating car to which, shortly, we will dedicate an article of its own.
