Francisco Carrion
The English know how to make the most of this love of ours for the cars of bygone eras, and the best example is the Goodwood Revival that has been held at the end of the summer for many years now. This event has reached such a magnitude that it can be considered one of the three or four that no true fan should miss, at least once in their life.
[dropcap] U [/ dropcap] n Year over, the Goodwood Revival It has proven itself as the main European event in this "world". In very few you can see so many legendary cars and drivers that made an era, all surrounded by an authentic "amusement park" with all kinds of montages that will take us back in time.
And it is not only an event for the staunch of the motor. You can go with the whole family, as there we will find “vintage” shops, hairdressers or supermarkets, old fair attractions or vintage costume competitions. This year, for example, there was a commemoration of women's fashion from the 60s….
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As soon as we enter we see that the tents also look old, and there is even a small amusement park set up for the little ones ... With vintage attractions! Not a detail fails ...
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For the little ones, apart from what has already been mentioned, a car race for children is held in each edition that is acquiring immense proportions: More than 60 little Ferrari, Austin or Jaguar with electric or gasoline engine star in one of the most sympathetic scenes of Goodwood Revival every year.
It is usually celebrated between September 11 and 13; At the end of summer, yes, but taking into account the vagaries of the British climate, it can be considered that this edition had great weather, as it hardly rained and the sun shone reasonably.
Goodwood Revival, a first class setting
And it is that it is not about simple races for classics, if not that everything in this meeting has a very special character. To begin with, if we want to access the main paddock, even as mere spectators, it is not enough to buy the ticket; you have to be properly dressed "Vintage", it does not matter which one, but with current clothes you cannot access what is the heart of the festival. Then the entire enclosure seems taken from bygone times. The adjoining parking lot - several hectares - is full of old cars of all classes and conditions, and we can find from a current Morris Minor to a whole Alfa-Romeo 6C 1750 from the 30s, just like that.
As soon as we enter we see that the tents also look old, and there is even a small amusement park set up for the little ones ... With vintage attractions! Not a detail fails, he had even set up a fictional newsroom with typewriters and props from more than 50 years ago. Focusing on the main thing - the races - it is also highly recommended to go to the “paddock”, where mechanics dressed in old-fashioned overalls strive to fine-tune and repair the cars for the competition. It is usually a good opportunity to see the "guts" and listen closely to many exclusive cars with which it would be impossible to "get intimate" at an event other than Goodwood Revival.
It's not easy to see in person either to piloting legends like Stirling Moss, Jackie Stewart or John Surtees, who also usually make the reconnaissance lap prior to each race on the back of a renowned mount. And it is that everything or almost everything at Goodwood is taken care of in detail.
Goodwood Revival: The Races
In this edition, the honored brand has been Landrover, for which an impressive number of units were assembled, among which those of the first series -from 1948 onwards- or "rare" editions such as cranes, ambulances or snow plows stood out.
Moving on to the competition, which is –in principle- the main thing of the event, this year it was divided into 14 categories. In some of them mythical pilots such as Derek Bell, Jackie Oliver or Emanuele Pirro participated, apart from old glories such as the inevitable Stirling Moss, who, although he no longer competes, always takes a lap of honor in several of the races. Let's go by parts, or rather by prizes ...
BROOKLANDS TROPHY
Making reference to the legendary Brooklands oval circuit in its title, in this category precisely the prewar racing cars that raced on that track participated. Brands such as Bentley, Alfa Romeo, Maserati or Talbot give an idea of the value of these jewels, but among all of them stood out the Bugatti 59/57 from 1934 which was used by King Leopold II of Belgium and which is also in its original, unrestored condition. The winner was a Alfa Romeo 8C 2600 1932, piloted by Neil Twyman.
SUSSEX TROPHY
Front-engined sport-prototypes from the 50s and 60s. These models keep breaking records of listing each time they go up for auction, although not for that reason their pilots raised their feet when fighting at the controls of jewels such as the Maserati Birdcage, Jaguar-Lister, Jaguar D Type or Aston Martin DBR. First place here went to Bobby Verdon-Roe, in a 2465 Ferrari 1959 Dino.
RAC TT
One of the most spectacular tests, as it brought together the coveted GTs of the 50s and 60s such as Ferraris 250 GT and GTO, Lister-Jaguar or Aston Martin DB4GT. That the drivers have no qualms despite its very high value, the famous Ferrari 250 GTO SWB "Breadvan" can give a good account of it, which in this race again destroyed its nose despite being recently rebuilt after an accident in Germany last year . The Spanish pilot participated in this race Joaquin Folch, who came seventh with his 1961 Jaguar E Type.
SETTRINGTON CUP
Class reserved for small Austin J40 passenger cars from the 50s, like those that so many young British drivers used in their day to get started in the world of competition. No less than 44 teams took part, resulting in the winner Archie Collins.
EARL OF MARCH TROPHY
Another change from this edition: for the first time they have been included strangers Formula 3 from the 50s, many of them unique and handmade, and most of them powered by small mechanics of motorcyclist origin. The winner was Peter delaRoche, with a 5 Cooper-Norton Mk1951.
FORD WATER TROPHY
This category has changed this year. It has become one of the most interesting, since it welcomed strange sports vehicles from the late 40s-early 50s, some of them very rare to see even in their street versions. Several Fiat 8Vs, Jowett Javelin, or Frazer-Nash participated, and the much more common 120 Jaguar XK1950 piloted by John Young was the winner.
LAVANT CUP
This half-race and half-exhibition test changes its theme every year, and in this edition they have not walked with half measures: Nothing less than 23 Ferrari Sport from the 50s, with models as famous as the 375MM, 750MM or 212, without forgetting a great number of different 250. In short, a veritable list of models that each month take the highest positions in the price lists of the auction houses. The winner was a Ferrari 500 TRC 1957, with James Cottingham at the controls.
GOODWOOD TROPHY
Single-seaters from the 30s and 40s, the equivalent of F1 when it did not yet exist. In England in this category they always triumph the rabid ERA British-made, which typically also outperform other brands in number of units present. Here, the 3 R1934A, driven by Mark Gilles, won ahead of such formidable machines as several Bugatti, Alfa-Romeo, Maserati or Talbot-Lago.
RICHMOND & GORDON TROPHY
Front-engined F1 single-seaters from the 50s. There were gems like the different Maserati, BRM, Aston Martin or Ferrari Dino that were thoroughly squeezed, ignoring their high monetary value. In this race two Spanish pilots participated: Guillermo Fierro with Maserati 250 F and Joaquin Folch with Lotus Climax, although the latter could not finish. First place went to a 45 Cooper-Climax T51 / 1958, driven by Rod Jolley.
FREDDIE MARCH MEMORIAL
Front engine barquetas and GTs from the 50s, also highly valued monetarily. Among several Maserati, Aston Martin or Austin-Healey less common cars such as the American HWM-Cadillac or a Tojeiro-Bristol sneaked in. We must also highlight the participation of the mythical Jochen Mass at the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL. First place went to the Hood / Ward couple, at the controls of a 33 Cooper-Jaguar T1954.
ST. MARY'S TROPHY
A curious category divided into two careers that brings together to sedans from the 60s, Vehicles that were conceived without any sporting pretense but that were used for racing in their time, sometimes with good results. It is striking that the preparations are always respectful and are carried out according to what they should have been in their time, without any modernizing element, at least in terms of external appearance. The win went to a huge 1964 Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt, driven by the Kristen / Mann couple.
WHITSUN TROPHY
Mid-engined sport-prototypes from the 60s. A roster of no less than 6 Ford GT 40s of different versions stood out among all the Mclaren, Lola, BRM or Lotus trays, many of them powered by Ford Cosworth and Chevrolet engines. . The overall winner was a 70 Lola-Chevrolet T1966 Spyder, driven by Nick Padmore.
BARRY SHEEN MEMORIAL
Although motorcycles are a minority in the Goodwood Revival, there was a space for British motorcycle racing in the 50s. The winner was the Manx Norton 500 1951 of the Fitchett / Mcwilliams couple.
GLOVER TROPHY
F1 single-seaters from the 60s, one of the first to return to the mid-engine, a configuration that has lasted to this day. They stood out for their number Brabham and Lotus that swept their day, and indeed the victory went to a 25 Lotus-Climax 1962 driven by Andy Middlehurst.
Goodwood Revival 2015: Shelby Cobra Daytona at Tutiplen
In addition, and as an exhibition, the "Shelby Cobra Coupe Parade", that managed to gather a record number of these legendary American racing cars on the track, among which a completely original unit stood out.
As always, all this was accompanied by the covered lounge goodwood motorshow, whose “highlight” this year was an impressive display of classic Ferraris from all eras. The Bonhams auction house was not lacking either, and it came with an exquisite roster of 350 cars, finally raising 12,4 million pounds thanks to lots like a 5 Aston Martin DB1965 Convertible sold for 1.087.900 pounds.
In short, an event with staggering numbers that we cannot fail to recommend. There is no other like it in the world, and England catches us just around the corner. See you next year!
