Miguel Sánchez
GOODWOOD REVIVAL TEXT 2018: MIGUEL SÁNCHEZ / PHOTOS: UNAI ONA
Britain is a country as loved as it is hated. While for some it is synonymous with political stability and economic progress, others see in it the black beast that only through piracy has managed to thrive in the concert of nations. Controversy aside, the truth is that its character as an island harassed by other empires such as the French or the Spanish promoted a good relationship with the machines. Why? The answer is simple: only through ingenuity and mechanics can the progress and independence of an island be safeguarded with a view to attracting resources from around the world, but at the same time behind its back.
For centuries the United Kingdom could prosper thanks to the reliability of its galleons, smaller and more effective in rough waters than the gigantic Spanish ships. Some like him Ark Royal they saved the skin of the English by repelling the invasion of the Invincible Armada; once again, the strip of water that separates the island from the mainland, together with high doses of seafaring expertise, ensured independence from the United Kingdom.
However, during Second World War changed the playing field. This time fate was disputed in the air, thus entrusting the fate of the country to a group of pilots mounted on Supermarine fighters Spitfire o Hawker Hurricane equipped with engines Rolls-Royce. The Battle of Britain was to be the master play in which Churchill and his team bet on all or nothing; once again the fate of the UK depended on transport technology.
To coordinate the manufacture of all this, the Minister of Aircraft Production in 1940. Engineers such as Gordon-Lennox -9th Duke of Richmond- which, after the war, directed his mechanical knowledge to something much more pleasant than war: motor racing. So the engines began to roar in Goodwood during 1948, marking the first time that the United Kingdom revived four-wheel racing on a permanent circuit since the end of World War II.
And now yes ... Let's talk about cars, because the last edition of the Goodwood Revival It has brought us more than one good - and rare - surprise.
20 EDITIONS OF GOODWOOD REVIVAL
At the beginning of summer the Goodwood Festival of Speed is celebrated, but what lovers of the classics are really waiting for is the end of the summer. With it comes the Goodwood Revival, one of the biggest appointments on the calendar of classics around the world that this 2018 is already set in 20 editions marked by an excellent organization, a magnificent selection of cars on the tracks and a full house that this time has offered figures above the 140.000 Attendees.
All this to contemplate 12 + 1 races -12 cars and one motorcycle- through which almost 400 classics have passed without having starred in any major accident, but more than one skid worthy of a dance school like the one that Jason Yates lived aboard a Ferrari 500 TRC Scaglietti (minute 1: 2nd of the previous video). A maneuver that ended badly but in which there were more subtle attempts to get out of it than the null vision of Mat Jackson in the St Mary's Trophy rounds with his Plymouth Barracuda; he ate the protections of the two chicanes arranged before the finish line.
Of course, there were also occasions when the skillful piloting aboard these classics he provided excellent maneuvers such as the one starring Nick Swift at the get your Mini back on track after a heart attack skid into the grass, or the rushing side-to-side crossing of the traffic-filled circuit by Grant Williams and his Jaguar Mk1.
Less fortunate was Peter Chambers flying his Ford-Lotus Cortina through several turns of the bell in the second part of the St. Mary's Trophy, coming out on his own foot and fully aware of a battered body that no sheet metal worker would want to face. Nevertheless, the tragic point of the weekend was put by Michael Russell at the Barry Sheene Motorcycle Memorial with his Velocette MSS 500; just as he was facing the last lap as leader ... An unfortunate skid when leaving the chicane after which you face the home straight sent him irretrievably to the ground. The DGT already says it, when you are arriving in a hurry… You go on the razor's edge.
WE START AT ALL HIGH: THE GREAT GT
On Friday, September 7, the starting flag was given to the qualifying rounds of the different tournaments, although in order not to delay the show any longer ... We also lived the Kinrara Trophy, one of the most anticipated by the numerous cameras positioned next to the asphalt due to its huge concentration of dream cars. And it is that, in this race, the sixties GTs of more than 3 liters are grouped. That is to say, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Jaguar ... And among these brands its most emblematic models.
This is where we could see - although this seriously competes with listening - in action the V12 Ferrari of the 250 GTO, 330 GTO, and neither more nor less than 8 units of the 250 SWB. A very marked Ferrarista presence crowned with the victory of 250 GT "bread van", an already typical Goodwood racing model easily recognizable by a rear that, if this is not one of the Ferraris with the greatest competitive pedigree, would make us think that we are looking at a sports car with a body "shooting brake”, Like the Mustang that our colleague Unai Ona discovered in the parking area and that you can see in the graphic report
For the rest, the Kinrara Trophy offered us to see the well-known ones lacking in expectation Aston Martin DB5 or Jaguar E-Type, of which we have 9 units. Highlight two Austin Healy 3000 keeping the type between so much motor myth and a Maserati 3500GT putting the always recognizable touch of elegance provided by the brand of the trident. All this framed by the evening skies; and you know, the touch "british" always has something melancholic ...
THRILL ON THE TRACK, ENJOY ON THE GRADES
Not a few Goodwood Revival have been through water. However - and to the joy of owners and insurance companies - time respected this year's edition, which opened its second day with one of the most anticipated trophies: the fordwater. A section designed for series production sports cars between 1948 and 1955. That is to say, a perfect excuse to see several Porsche 356s of which we are all left with the exhibit of the piloted by Sam Tordoff; after getting stuck in the first line of departure, he made an excellent comeback to second place after the winning Aston Martin DB2.
A show of driving with courage that dazzled the audience in the stands, which was torn between following the evolutions of Tordoff and his 356 or focusing their attention on Stranger models like a 2 Connaught L1948, a very elegant and compact Jowett Jupiter, or Lotus mk6. For the rest, the two Ferrari 212s have caught our attention; in short, they throw us a lot the "cavallinosMore classics.
Later, and with the celebration of the two sleeves on the same day, we were able to enjoy the American chrome in the St Mary's Trophy. Obviously it is not that this is only for American cars, but it is true that here we could see several seminal Americans of the phenomenon of the "Muscle car" sandwiched between series production cars and proven sports history between 1960 and 1966.
Although they are not the most spectacular cars that we saw at Goodwood Revival, they were one of the most fun to offer a race in which the Mini Cooper S flew devilishly along with some of the most playful Lotus-Ford Cortinas, in fact one of them took the victory. In between we saw the chrome of a Ford Galaxie 500, a Studebacker Lake Daytona and a very hesitant Mercury Comet Cyclone that ended up with a broken headlight, a slightly lesser damage than the Plymouth Barracuda that we named you before and that you also participated in this trophy.
In short, a very American and fun race where, yes, we looked at the two Alfa Romeos, especially towards a Giulia 1600 GTA Corse with a front in yellow to which not a few telephoto lenses were focused.
PLAYING IN ANOTHER LEAGUE: THE GOODWOOD TROPHY SINGLES
Of the 12 car trophies at Goodwood Revival 2018, it is impossible to pick just one. But nevertheless, few vehicles bring together the history and emotion that only a pre-war car is capable of offering. Whatever the model, they are authentic metal beasts, creatures that come directly from a time when motor racing was a feat for the brave - or unconscious - where everything was pure mechanics, arms clinging to the wheel, mud ... And many chances of not getting out alive.
Perhaps to honor all this history of pioneers, the trophy where the Grand Prix cars and special races manufactured between 1930 and 1951 meet bears the name of Goodwood. A radiant 6 Maserati 1938CM piloted by Calum Lockie He took the victory, something that did not surprise anyone after the good memory that this silver Italian left after the 2017 edition; a six cylinder in line with very good sound ...
Another 7 Maserati completed the representation of the trident - incidentally also staged in its current range, which had a large promotional stand next to the Duke's palace, although a Levante SUV does not attract our attention so much ... - which formed together 3 Alfa Romeo the Italian presence. Of these a P3 (Type B) from 1932 It is the one that most captivated us; And it is that, which is the second Alfa car -considered by many as the first genuine car in history-, was one of the greatest jewels at Goodwood Revival 2028. Awesome to see that in-line 8-cylinder that Nuvolari piloted in action!
The English presence stood out thanks to the 9 ERA -English Racing Automobiles-, of which an A-Type R3A in green was in fourth position. Seeing his driving position when he was exposed in the area open to the public, one becomes aware of what it was like to drive at that time, with lower speeds than now but through poorly maintained roads and holding on to steering wheel with all the strength in the world as almost the only safety measure. Riding on this 80 years ago had to be a real matter of faith.
A bit disappointing, the presence of only one Bugatti -the Type 73C from 1945 that achieved third place-, although we were able to make up for it thanks to models like the MG "Bellevue”1937 Special, known at Goodwood since he was at the ianugural race in 1948. What a blast! Obviously it is not the most important mechanically - having a P3 hanging around ... - but its silver body, shiny, compact and with that rear finish "in punch"To the"there you take it"... We were once again dazzled by another edition.
SMALL SURPRISING AND MYTHS OF LE MANS
Another of Saturday's trophies had a lovely tone “Revival”For the most detailed, for those who enjoy recreating the exact starting line of this or that competition from decades ago. Thinking of lovers of this type of documentary precision, the Jack Sears Memorial Trophy It brought together 30 participants of the 1958 British Saloon Car Championship. The truth is that seeing these saloons -both spacious and compact- play the guy making fun of each other with devilish overtaking maneuvers inside a collapsed track in the first laps ... More exciting.
Also this is competition. Don't get us wrong… We don't mean to say that going out there with a car is obviously not. But ride a little Austin A50 Cambridge Saloon with no more than 50 hp, a MG Magnette ZB which takes almost 20 seconds to reach 98km / h or a nondescript Borgward Isabella German-made that would seem bland even for a seminarian's accountant… To launch them into skidding alongside a herd of Jaguar Mk1s, well, it's not bad at all!
So much fun this trophy, although of course ... The first three positions were taken over by units of the mythical Jaguar saloon, which, not because it is elegant and aristocratic, stops giving some sports surprises that leave us open-mouthed. With some money we would get one, although in the meantime we continue to mull over the unexpected possibilities of a nondescript German or English utility vehicle. Can you imagine a Trabant ready for rally? Umh ...
After the fun with cars more "Popular”, On Saturday he continued with one of the highlights of the weekend: the whitsun trophy. Here we returned to the exclusive and most cutting-edge in the history of sports car racing, since in this section 28 gathered "Sport prototypes" with pedigree in competition beyond 1966. Result? Le Mans myths in three, two, one ... Right away we could see the nose of six Ford GT40, of which we were struck by the 1964 prototype piloted by Richard Meins.
However, and based on the fact that there are colors for tastes, the most exciting thing has been to hear two Porsche 910 that, curiously, they were next to each other on arrival. Less than 30 were produced and they reaped good successes in promotion races, being one of the key Porsche in that brilliant era that would lead the brand to the birth of the 917.
Finally the first place in the whitsun trophy it was for a Lola T70 Spyder with Chevrolet engine. And the thing is… When the British and Americans joined together in the 60s making racing cars in northern Italy, more than one got nervous. Fantastic behavior of this Lola, which showed in the curves why it comes from workshops that became famous as excellent manufacturers of chassis for GT cars in the 60s.
The British-American formula was also represented in the 5 McLaren with Chevrolet engine -all M1A or M1B- that will never stop attracting our attention due to their small size. Especially the one on the steering wheel. Haven't you heard anyone complain about the size of the steering wheel on the new Peugeot? Well, we would like to see those people inside a McLaren that, if it were not for its tremendous 5'7-liter, 8-cylinder engine, it would look like one of those cute little pedal racing cars with which children emulate professional drivers. over the weekend at this Goodwood Revival.
To end on Saturday the Freddie March Memorial Trophy brought us one of the highlights of the day bringing together 29 defining cars of the “spirit from Goodwood 9 Hours of 1952-1955. In short, a superb collection of fifties sports Among those who stood out - not on the grill but on our retinas - an Alfa Romeo 3000 "Flying saucer”From 1953. Tremendous, although no less than the three C-Type or the specific Lagonda V12 Le Mans from 1954 who was third.
We loved the Frazer-Nash Targa-Florio -although once again we realized the influence that the front of the Lancia Aurelia had-, which completed the list of rarities along with a Cunningham C4R, an American with character and muscle in the style of what years later would be Carrol Shelby's AC Cobra. The first two positions were conquered by two models of the HWM team - a subsidiary of Aston Martin in the 50s - powered by Jaguar and Cadillac respectively. Real parts for British motor connoisseurs ...
AMERICAN MOTOR RARITIES AT GOODWOOD REVIVAL 2018
After Saturday night - nothing calm for more than one who enjoyed the good atmosphere of the place, the various parallel activities and the pleasant beer pubs in the English countryside - Sunday morning dawned with 30 cars on the track ready to dispute the Chichester cup. A very specific trophy that brings together small Formula Junior cars equipped with brake discs and manufactured between 1960 and 1963. In other circumstances you make such a specific call… And hardly anyone would go, but of course, this is Goodwood Revival.
In the absence of a coffee the thunderous exhausts of these reduced cars "To the minimum expression" they split the atmosphere in the stands hinting at the good time that Ford competition engines were experiencing during the 60s. all the cars on the grid had Ford motorization -as is customary in many lower categories where a single manufacturer is responsible for all the mechanics- attached to bodies of teams as different as Lotus, Lola, Cooper ... And De Tomaso, which caught our attention since, while American-British hybrids are common, Italian-Americans are not so common.
With the following race came one of the most anticipated moments of the weekend, at least for those of us who have the person of Fangio in a prominent place within our particular motoring imaginary; three Maserati 250Fs took to the track inside the Richmond & Gordon Trophy for single-seaters with front engine and two and a half liters engine or more built between 1952 and 1960. Translating: good part of the beginnings of Formula 1.
Beyond that legend that is the 250F, we could see icons like the Ferrari 246 Dino - it started as something of "second row" but you have to see the game that brought out the six-cylinder engines on “commander"- or the Lotus - Climax -in fact the one driven by Sam Wilson was the winner-, although the view quickly went to the two Scarabs from 1959 and 1960 that we weren't expecting.
It really is a rather rare brand, of North American origin and extremely symbolic of certain years in motorsport in that country. Normally powered by Chevrolet, this time the model curled the curl by incorporating an Offenhauser thruster -Exclusively manufacturer of engines for American teams and, occasionally, McLaren-. Undoubtedly one of the best models of this Goodwood Revival 2018.
MANY AC COBRA AND A RACE ... ON PEDALS
The touch of family legacy - no one is aware that this is something important in the world of classics - was put by the Hart family, achieving father and son victory in the Royal Automobile Club TT Trophy at the controls of a 1963 AC Cobra inside a grille that looked like a one-make trophy for the abundance of the Shelby model. And don't get us wrong, because it really is nice to see such concentration of this model racing down a track where the Jaguar E-Type did what they could to withstand the British pride against the audacity of its former colony. Monumental.
Of course, beyond the muscular rear of the Cobra skidding on the track ... We loved seeing a very special car: the Aston Martin Project 212. A prototype used in the 24 Hours of Le Mans made on the basis of an Aston Martin DB4 but with numerous changes and a lovely bodywork. Seeing it roll is one of those privileges with which to understand why Goodwood has the fame and magic that it has. However, if we have to mark a really curious and friendly one that we had trouble recognizing, that is the TVR Griffith 400; a very small, almost cartoonish stroller, which you could leave parked in the street and few would think that what they have in front of is a beast with a 4.722 cc 271 hp engine. Plus it's made in New York. Just great. What is said a "sleeper" in conditions.
Then more than one spectator in the rostrum shielded their ears from the shriek of what was coming: the Glover trophy. A race with 30 liter and a half Grand Prix cars with racing pedigree in the early 60s. And here we remember a lot about the failed marriage between Ford -american- and Ferrari -italiana- during the 60s because whoever won this trophy is a perfect Italian-American: Joe Colasacco, at the time driving a Ferrari 1512 from 1965 but wearing a clearly patriotic helmet towards the North American. All an image. Very symbolic, and that is why we liked it.
For the rest, many Lotus and several Lola, although the most remarkable thing was the sound of Cosworth engines equipping models of both teams. Since this London company was born in 1958, we are looking at some of its first successful devices in F1. That is exciting if you consider that they are the beginning of the great trajectory of this automotive engineering company. Bravo for this selection for mechanics lovers at Goodwood Revival 2018.
Already with a powerful smell of gasoline in some parts of the forest where it should smell clean country air, we reached the end of this weekend with thousands of classic motor fans and some of the best representations of motorsport on the track ... From the most sympathetic way. And it is that, well, every pilot has a beginning. Even Fangio started driving an F1 when he was 8 years old. Before there are the ride-ons ... The karts ... A multitude of toys with which the little ones emulate their motor idols.
And as with its almost 140.000 visitors Goodwood is still a family event… What better way to make children participate in this motor show than with a pedal car race? And also not just any car! But the nice Austin J40 "Pedal car" which has been a common gift to British children for decades. With an exit to the "Old fashioned", with the drivers waiting for the signal to race towards their cars located on the other side of the track. Magnificent closure to a spectacular weekend where you remember why this motor has fascinated you since you were the same age as those kids.
RUNNING THE ENGINES, BRINGING THE CLASSICS TO LIFE
In addition, a tribute was paid to the public transport service - the idea that the vehicles that communicated the event with the surrounding towns were delicious double-decker buses- as well as the launch of the popular 3 Austin FX1948 taxi and the popular A35 and A50 utility vehicles of the same brand. Not to mention many other activities "Revival"Related to the clothing or music of bygone times and the countless list of historical motor personalities that are dropped every year by Goodwood Revival - although it has been two years without the assistance of Sir Stirling Moss.
In short, a magnificent meeting of classics and fans in which, Its greatest greatness is to do, even with the most expensive and exclusive cars from the most famous collections, what they were designed to do: run. Because a classic, no matter how valuable or exclusive it may be, is still a car made to ride straights and connect curves.
