As mentioned in the previous blog a long-awaited visit to the Goodwood Revival turned into a major disappointment. My brother and I misjudged the time it would take to drive from the town of Bingen in Germany to the Cologne airport and consequently missed our flight to London. Because the next (and last) flight out was in the evening and went to Stansted Airport, far north of our intended destination, we spent the night in an airport executive hotel. Two train journeys plus a very costly taxi ride across London (major detour because of the annual bike race) meant that by the time we reached our B&B in Worthing it was too late for me to attend Day One of the Revival. As someone later informed me, a first time visitor needs a day to get his bearings in order to watch the races the following day.
The Goodwood Revival is like combining an international exposition where the clock's been turned back fifty years with a road race circuit of a similar era. The displays, attractions, live music, vintage aircraft, and dozens of historic race cars are simply overwhelming. It's a wonder that I saw any racing at all, though I did manage a glimpse of four of the eight races in Day Two. The photo above is of the start of the TT Celebration, a one-hour, two-driver event for closed cockpit GT cars in the spirit of the RAC TT races, 1960-1964. Drivers included several present and former F1 pilots plus one very fast ex-Indy Car champion, a guy named Rahal. Emanuele Piro, Danny Sullivan, Derek Bell, Eddie Cheever and Stefan Johansson were among the famous who lined up at the start.
The TT was probably the most exciting event of the day, with Piro in a 1963 Ferrari LMB taking the lead over Jean-Marc Gounon's 63 Ferrari 250 GTO, Bobby Rahal in a 1963 Jaguar Lightweight E-Type only slightly behind. When Piro faded it became an exciting two-car race, Rahal pushing hard, passing and giving way, finally diving deep into a corner to take the lead. His co-driver and car owner, F1 race engineer Adrian Newly, then took command and maintained it over Gougnon's team-mate Peter Hardman to the end. It was such a delight watching cars being drifted through the corners… as race cars were meant to be driven (think F1). As well, the mix of engine sounds – Ferrari V-12, Jaguar inline 6, Cobra V-8 – was music to my ears.
What also makes the Revival fun is its determined return to an earlier era. For example, no modern cars are allowed within the circuit perimeter and spectators are encouraged to wear period dress. Remember Carnaby Street, when, for a brief period, British style turned the fashion world upside down? I do, and so did these young women. Actually it was their Mom's that remember but the mini-skirted lovelies took me back to a time when, during four-years working in London, I discovered the advantages of being last-man-up on the double-decker stairways.
One of the events I missed to my regret was the Goodwood Trophy for Grand Prix cars that raced between 1930 and 1950. It included the largest gathering of ERA's in modern times, the ERA being a small but dedicated English builder. Never heard of ERA? Look at this elegant R10B racer and you'll wish you had.
The distinguished names on this Grand Prix car represent those who drove it, possibly the greatest collection of stars ever to appear in the same cockpit. Your challenge is to identify the car, using the Comments box below.
And while remembering names, check those who drove the Monte Carlo Rallye-winning Mini. Goodwood featured two classic Mini races. Normally the Minis turn competition into mayhem but this year everyone behaved themselves.
British Petroleum featured a replica of a 50's racing garage with live demos of repairs made with period tools. Outside the garage was a vintage BP fuel truck. Perhaps because it's not very pretty most spectators ignored it. Not me… I appreciate functional design and this old truck is nothing if not functional.
To complete this humble photo-montage from a first-time Goodwood survivor, I can't resist offering a close-up of a race car that intimidated its competitors in the 1950's. The Italian company Lancia had been forced to admit defeat by finance, or lack of same. Ferrari took over, starting with a Lancia design that featured fuel tanks alongside the cockpit. Such a layout would not be legal today but it reminds us of how brave (or foolish) those drivers were.
Get feature on the Revival. Mick Walsh tells me that it is THE festival to take in. A very nice birthday gift!
October 14, 2009 @ 7:13 pmYou mention the E.R.A. … one of my all-time favorite British racers. I don’t see your photo of it … the red racer looks like Nick Mason’s Aston Martin. I think every E.R.A., save one, is still functioning … amazing!
Thanks for the visit!