Monday, September 22

Goodwood Revival


Sonnet and I are guests of David and Tabitha at the Goodwood revival held on the estate of Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, Earl of March and Kinrara (for those who care, the Earl is the heir apparent of the 10th Duke of Richmond, 10th Duke of Lennox and 5th Duke of Gordon - in short: rich). Once a year, roadsters are invited to compete in a weekend of wonderful racing and viewers required to wear period dress from the British 1950s and 1960s (Sonnet in heaven). There is even a Volvo 544 in one of the races ! A champagne ball themed "Oriental" (we debate whether this a politically correct expression but in Southwest England, so what?) ends with fire works and dancing . Fun! Here is a summary from Wikipedia:

The Goodwood Revival is a 3-day festival held each September for the types of cars and motorcycles that would have competed during the circuit's original period - 1948-1966. It is one of the world’s most popular motor race meetings and the only UK event which recreates the golden era of motor sport from the 1950s and 1960s. The festival acts as a showcase for exceptional wheel-to-wheel racing around a classic circuit, untouched by the modern world and relives the glory days of Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit, which ranked alongside Silverstone as Britain’s leading racing venue throughout its active years. Between 1948 and 1966 Goodwood hosted contemporary racing of all kinds, including Formula One, the famous Goodwood Nine Hours race and the celebrated Tourist Trophy sports car race.

The festival includes the Grand Prix cars from the Fifties and Sixties, sports and GT cars, as well as historic saloon cars and little-seen Formula Juniors. Many of these important historic racing cars are driven by famous names from motor sport past and present.

The restored circuit is unchanged from its heyday and many visitors wear appropriate period clothing and no modern vehicles are allowed within the circuit perimeter throughout the weekend. There are also theatrical sets that bring the past back to life. Photo from Classic Driver.com