Fantastic… it’s Goodwood Revival time again!! I know I say this every time but the Goodwood Revival weekend is my absolute favourite event of the year. As soon as the dates are released, they go straight into my motorsport calendar.
Friday…
I was away last year so missed the Friday Practice/Qualifying Day. Diary cleared I made sure I wasn’t going to miss it this year. I was soooooo glad I did to…
Friday is mostly given over to Practice and Qualifying for the Saturday/Sunday race days. However the end of the day what is widely recognised as probably the most expensive grid in the world, The Kinrara Trophy takes to the track. A field made up of the likes of Ferrari 250GT SWBs, Aston Martin DB4s, AC Cobras, Jaguar E-Types is an awesome sight. Starting late in the day, the hour long 2-Driver race runs into the sunset. Some years it can be just ‘ok’… other years, as it was this year, the light is simply stunning!!!!
2019 marks Bentley Motors celebrating their 100 years. To mark the occasion 30 ‘Pre-War’ Bentleys would compete in the Brooklands Trophy. These lovely old cars were garaged opposite the Media Centre. Normally I head home straight after the Kinrara Trophy race. This year I decided to go back into the paddock after last light photograph these ‘sleeping giants’. The paddock takes on a whole new life form after dark. I shall definitely be adding it to my shooting plans for future Goodwood Revival visits.
‘The Duke’s Choice 2020’ chosen by the Duke of Richmond & Gordon himself!!
Saturday…
There is no other race meeting I can think of that has the unique atmosphere of a Goodwood Revival weekend. A motorsport paddock swaps the high tech of modern day corporate branding for tweed, flap caps and khaki overalls of the 1950s. All around the circuit Goodwood support staff & ‘character’ performers add to the fun. All in fantastic 1940s – 60s period dress, worn by so many of the spectators too.
Out on the circuit, Practice/Qualifying was well underway. 100s of priceless racing cars and motorbikes would compete in 16 races over the weekend. Already there was plenty of exciting action to entertain the crowds.
SUNDAY… Race Day
I have never owned a motorbike, only ever ridden one once. That was only round a small carpark… not for me! However I think some of these old historic racing bikes are lovely to look at. Boyyyyyy do they make a fantastic noise in the hands of the riders!
This year we were treated to former MotoGP superstar Dani Pedrosa making his Historic Racing debut. Partnered up with Joaquin Folch-Rusinol Jnr in The Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy. Together they squeezed every last drop of performance from the 1966 Hannah-Paton 500.
As the 3 day 2019 Goodwood Revival weekend came to a close with the Freddie March Memorial Trophy. Across the Road spectators enjoyed the live music & last rides on the funfair for another year. Same place same time next year?….. Oh go on then, you talked me into it!!!
