Paul Jolly: Get set for Goodwood

It’s that time of year again when the classic car and historic racing world close the doors on the modern world and revel in racing as it used to be.

We are talking about none other than Goodwood Revival, Europe’s most authentic and ‘must do’ classic and race car event. Racing motorcycles are also very much featured from the pre-1966 era. The weekend of Sept 6th-8th sees the most fantastic display of how life used to be at the WW2 Spitfire aerodrome with aerial displays of wartime aircraft like no other.

Originally a World War II airfield, known as RAF Westhampnett, it was from Goodwood Aerodrome that pilots were trained in Hurricanes and Spitfires. These can still be seen in action this weekend.

But the event is all about the cars, the people, the outfits and the racing. ‘Dressing up’ is perhaps the wrong description and visitors become part of the spectacle rather than just being onlookers. It is a wonderful opportunity to forget the present and be part of the racing scene as it was before 1966. That is the date when Goodwood stopped regular race events and became mothballed. The Duke of Richmond, owner of the Goodwood Estate which also encompasses the horse racing circuit nearby, devised the Revival for every September some 26 years ago. This Festival attracts racers and visitors globally and is incomparable for authenticity.

The good and the great at all racing levels are drawn here and compete in priceless Ferrari, Maserati, Ford GT40 and even Formula 1 cars with serious, competitive, door-banging wheel-to-wheel ferocity like it used to be. 

This year I am booked into the trackside Lavant Straight car park. Strict rules dictate that my 52-year-old Triumph TR6 is too new for this parking spot next to the racing action. I must have a period, pre-1966 car.  Therefore, I have acquired a 1965 Ford Zodiac Estate just for the event. At least, that’s the excuse I gave my wife, but then she gets to dress up all weekend. 

Sounds a fair deal to me.