Featured: Period-Correct Everything: Getting Lost In Time At The Goodwood Revival

Period-Correct Everything: Getting Lost In Time At The Goodwood Revival

By Will_Broadhead
September 10, 2018

Pomp! Fervor! Enthusiasm! Three words that perfectly describe and introduce everyone’s favorite automotive time machine. The calendar has rolled over to that time of year again, when one must dust off the flat cap, roll out the tweed, and unleash the classic race car from its hiding place within the garage—this is the Goodwood Revival.

To say that this event is firmly established in the classic motoring calendar would be somewhat of an understatement, now in it’s 20th year the annual edition of revved up reminiscence is synonymous with everything related to historical motor racing. From the bottom to the top, it is a triumphant celebration and recreation of not just the cars, but the fashions—and perhaps even the attitudes—of a different era of sport, and the way in which Revival fever is embraced by all of those attending is testament to just what a fabulous event it really is.

We Brits you see, are usually of a reserved nature—flamboyance and extravagance is not in our everyday vocabulary—however the enthusiasm with which the 150,000 or so guests of Lord March that descended upon the historic Goodwood Circuit puts paid to that theory, and the pageantry of the fashion show is perhaps only eclipsed by the spectacle of the cars and, of course, the racing.

Ah yes, the motor car! How could we forget, for amongst the air shows, side shows, and fashion shows, the epicenter of the whole thing is the tremendous machines from a bygone era going at it like they hadn’t aged a day. Goodwood surely curates some of the finest and most expensive grids anywhere in the world, from the thump and wallop of the unlimited sports prototypes that compete for the Whitsun Trophy, to the sublime gentleman race cars that disappear into the sunset of the magical Kinrara Trophy; across the weekend no less than 15 different grids will feature on the circuit.

Even if you never make it trackside, a meander through the various paddocks that house the competitive cars and bikes can leave you lost for hours. Ferrari 250 GTs melt into ranges of different Alfa Romeo Tipos and Disco Volantes, Maserati 3500s morph into open-wheel Bugattis. It seems everywhere you turn there are more famous names of racing, ’60s Formula 1 cars like the beautiful Lotus machines of various vintage, complete with signature canary yellow flash; older pre-war Talbot and ERA cars; and of course the excitement and variety of the two-wheeled sort with the motorcycles that compete in the Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy.

It is mesmerizing stuff all around, and to be in this paddock during the hazy early morning light, as cars begin their warm up sequences is a special experience only heightened by the lengths that the organizers go to to ensure historical accuracy. Each year that I have attended Goodwood, I have enjoyed a real moment of clarity whilst bathed in early September sun, as I realize just how fortunate I am to be experiencing such motoring riches all in one place.

This year, as with every year, the on-track action is just as good if not better than the static stars of the paddock. You see despite the value and provenance of the assembled grids, the competition is fierce—the plethora of pro racing drivers at the front see to that. The circuit too is probably the only track in the UK that is the same as its original layout, and though the crowd line is probably a bit further back than it used to be, spectators can still experience the action at close quarter and without towering spires of catch fencing.

Each race that I saw provided memorable moments, whether it be Cobras drifting under power around the numerous right hand bends that populate the circuit, the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it flash and thunder of the motorcycles, or the enchanting vision of Aston Martin DB4GTs appearing out of the orange glow of the setting sun; it was all a captivating spectacle of noise, smells, and sounds as the drivers pushed their racing cars to—and sometimes beyond—their limits.

The nucleus of the whole show is the racing, but the Goodwood Revival is of course the sum of all of its parts, and each year becomes bigger, better, more detailed. From the walk in to the circuit, amongst thousands of others dressed in the fashion of another time whilst Spitfires soar overhead, to the historically accurate signage and advertising that adorns the walls and windows of the period-correct buildings, this weekend is special for so many reasons. If you have never heard of it, where have you been?! If you have never attended, I hope you too can place yourself under Goodwood’s spell next year, and if you are one of the lucky ones that was there this year I imagine that, like me, you are yearning to do it all over again. Goodwood just gets it right, and it will be a long year of waiting before we can celebrate the spectacle again in 2019, for the 21st time.

Join the Conversation
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
7 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Gavin Laniger
Gavin Laniger
6 years ago

After not having been to the revival for 7 years it was a treat to be back. From the huge array of interesting metal in the car parks even before getting into the Revival to the rows of priceless cars inside the spectacle is incredible. The atmosphere is truly unique and totally enthralling, with such wide variety – where else would you come across an immaculate Rolls Royce Silver Shadow pick-up? (Albeit not period correct…) . The racing had me gasping; a priceless Alfa’s careering along the grass on one lap and two ERA’s almost locking shells the following. My 11 yr old son wouldn’t leave until long after the last spitfire had looped the loop & the sun had gone down, there was still dinner and the fairground and 50’s rock & roll to savour. To sum up I felt transported to a different, magical world and I’m certain that next year I’ll be back with the rest of the family. Many thanks to Lord March and all those who contribute to make the event so special.

Harv Falkenstine
Harv Falkenstine
6 years ago

Dear Will, Anytime you receive negative critiques from Mr. Kafka consider it a feather in your cap. Since they are never meant as constructive criticism, they only serve to stroke the …ego of Mr. Kafka himself. The rest of the loyal followers of Petrolicious and their excellent articles are here for enjoyment and not to massage our otherwise narcissistic tendencies. Thanks, I hope you continue to snap and narrate “period correct” automotive gatherings.

Tobi
Tobi
6 years ago

Yes, a great weekend again this year! Stunning races! And much better weather than last year. It was a bit too British 😉

Matthew Lange
Matthew Lange
6 years ago

Best Revival in a few years with some excellent races. The weather certainly was a big contributor to that. While the Duke of Richmond’s accountants might not agree the slightly smaller crowd on the Sunday made a big difference too.

Xander Cesari
Xander Cesari
6 years ago
Reply to  Matthew Lange

I loved the pictures from last year in the rain (eg Amy Shore’s Instagram post of 2017 pics a few days ago). But I bet it was a lot more fun to actually be there this year 🙂

dave wakaman
dave wakaman
6 years ago

Nice work Will – your pictures capture the spirit of a top class event. Some of the racing was outstanding entertainment as the amateur and professional drivers alike wrestled their classics around the Goodwood circuit. Worth a look on YouTube.

Leong Kim Oh
Leong Kim Oh
6 years ago

Wow… those pictures are very well taken! Also well done to all the racers in the event.

Petrolicious Newsletter