73rd Goodwood Members’ Meeting: Racing in Style

Photography by Jayson Fong

Here’s what you need to know: The Goodwood Members’ Meeting is an incredible assortment of some of the finest machines to have graced racetracks around the world, run across 12 events and two days of racing. It’s quite a show.

Now in its second edition of the modern age, the 73rd Goodwood Member’s Meeting had high standards to meet after the “inaugural” event last year when the member’s meeting format returned from almost half a century without it.

The 2015 meeting did not disappoint, with Lord March and the Goodwood Road and Racing Club delivering a memorable spectacle with action packed races and high-speed demonstrations from a variety of eras. Among the highlights included majestic Jaguar D-Types, the bone-rattling power of Can-Am racers, near-lightspeed Group C legends, sideways Porsche 911s, a stunning collection of McLaren F1 GTRs and so-called classic ‘high air box’ Formula 1 racers.

Complimenting the incredible collection of cars that were to hit it out on the track was an exciting roster of personalities from the past with some reunited with their cars. Among them were living motorsport legends Derek Bell, Emanuele Pirro, Jochen Mass, Richard Attwood, and Tiff Needell.

One of the most inspiring moments from the weekend was Fred Hunt’s impromptu drive in his father James Hunt’s Hesketh 308, confirmed only that morning. Seeing Hunt in the Hesketh race side-by-side with a period Ferrari was an exhilarating flashback to the ferocious competition between Hunt and Lauda during the ’70s. This was one of many nostalgic moments throughout the weekend that I will remember for a long time to come.

Although nostalgic, don’t for a second think that means light hearted ‘racing’ in these historic cars. The drivers go properly panel to panel during these races with crashes and on-track incidents a common sight, an especially frightening thought considering the safety of the vehicles. Testament to this was when a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLS driven by Jochen Mass collided heavily with a Lister “Knobbly” as it slowed to enter the pit lane.

Both drivers emerged unharmed, although the same could not be said for their cars…

Those who have had the opportunity to visit Goodwood for the annual Revival in September would not find the event too dissimilar. However, what truly makes the Members’ Meeting different is the focus of everyone on the racing, the cars, and the ease of accessibility to nearly all aspects of the event. I never found myself in a queue shuffling from one side of the circuit to the other, nor did I find myself ever five people deep behind a fence waiting to get a glimpse the on-track action along the main straight. Furthermore, the smaller spectator numbers meant that paddock access was open to all, allowing visitors to experience the machines from the past up close.

Like the Revival, activities continued into the evening as well, a time to get away from the tension of track duties for all involved. Impressive is the only word that came to mind as I made my way through the entertainment quarter that had come to life after the sun went down.

The Great Hall had been transformed a huge dining area with large tables, lit by candles lining the entire width of the space. Further along, aircraft hangers had been converted into concert halls, while outside, the grounds hosted a Ferris wheel, carousel, and giant slide. A fantastic night of entertainment was finished off with a very well-choreographed fireworks show to the anthem Rule, Brittania! making the Goodwood Motor Circuit, at that moment, probably the most British place on earth.

Just before departing the circuit at the end of the weekend, I took a moment to enjoy the sunset in the distance as the circuit began the process of packing up. Watching people and cars making their way back into the real world, I reflected on my weekend and an experience that went beyond just the racing on the track. It was an event that had me feel part of an incredible community of like-minded enthusiasts.

If Goodwood’s main intention was to create an event which looked to revive the spirit of club sport and the appreciation of motor racing, I certainly felt it at that moment, and I’m very eager for more. See you next year…