Goodwood Revival is an Event Like No Other

Story and photography by Peter Aylward

An event like no other anywhere in the world, the Goodwood Revival is a celebration of 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s vintage lifestyle with sixteen grids of historic racers taking centre stage.

The circuit, which remains largely unchanged, is the perfect setting for such a spectacle. Full of period features, such as the original pit lane with race tower, white picket fences lining the paddocks, and within the circuit a replica of the original Art Deco Earls Court exhibition hall, which hosts the London motor-show. All these buildings are adorned with typography and logos of automotive brands, parts suppliers and oil companies from the era. A mockup of a Tesco’s store full of products and packaging from the past sits in the main retail area.

Being such a unique event, the Revival draws top drivers and big name stars to the circuit. This year was no exception as drivers included Messrs. Max Chilton, Jason Plato, Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean), and Nick Mason (Pink Floyd’s drummer). Other notable racers in attendance included Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jackie Stewart, and the equally great Mr. John Surtees.

The Royal Automobile Club TT celebration raced on Saturday and Sunday drawing the biggest crowds as Ferrari 250 GTOs, AC Cobras, Aston Martin DB4 GTs, and Jaguar E-Types thrashed it out. It was quite the spectacle to see a grid of over £150million worth of machines in the hands of some very serious drivers hell bent on taking a podium.

This years event was a celebration of sixty years of the Jaguar D-Type and Maserati 250F. A recreation of the Monza Pit Lane housed the stunning Maserati 250Fs, which completed several high speed demonstrations over the weekend.

It’s the spirit of the staff and spectators that makes the event so special, and if you don’t dress up you’re in the minority. It really is a time warp. To all those that don a tie and some tweed in what turned out to be blistering heat. I doff my hat to you, you looked fantastic!