Get your glad rags on; it’s time for Goodwood Revival!
The glamorous days of racing gone-by are on show this weekend at Goodwood Revival; a three day spectacular in the heart of Sussex that celebrates all things motor racing from 1948 to 1966; when Goodwood was one of the country’s foremost racing venues and an era that many believe was the heyday of motor sport.
From 12th to the 14th September 2014, cars and motorbikes will take to the track, showcasing some of the finest vintage racing vehicles, driven by celebrities and familiar faces from the world of motor racing.
It’s also a chance for spectators to get involved too; glamming themselves up in vintage clothing to look the part. It’s a rip-roaring weekend filled with the sounds of jazz, the smell of engine oil and the sights of the past; so dust of that vintage outfit, pack yourself a picnic and head to West Sussex to get the party started.
To get you in the festival spirit, we’re bringing you the lowdown on the weekend’s events…
Races
Competitive action begins bright and early, at 9am on Friday; the races are made up of celebrity two-driver races, saloon races, sports cars races, single-seater races and three circuit parades in honour of Sir Jackie Stewart. It’s 50 years since he was discovered while driving at Goodwood, and Sir Jackie Stewart will take part in each of the three parades!
There’s lots to commemorate this weekend; 60 years of the Jaguar D-type is honoured with one of the largest gatherings of D-types in the world, 60 years of the ‘small block’ V8 engine, 50 years of the Ford Mustang, the list is endless.
There is also a life-size Stonehenge installation to celebrate 50 years since the Order of the Bards, Ovates and Druids and a Brighton Pier installation to commemorate 50 years since the beginning of the fights between the Mods and Rockers in seaside towns during the summer of 1964.
In fact Quadrophenia star Phil Daniels will officially open Goodwood by leading a procession of about 100 mods, all driving vintage scooters around the track.
Don’t forget to look out for other famous faces taking part in races. Highlights include 5 times Le Mans winner Derek Bell, F1 podium winner Jackie Oliver and actor and comedian Rowan Atkinson!
Friday 12th September
Friday is practice day, so drivers and riders will be taking to the track to secure themselves the best positions for the next day’s races.
Look out for the Bonhams sale of priceless historic cars; you might not be able to splash the cash but it costs nothing to drool over them.
Saturday 13th September
On Saturday the racing hots up; as the trophies are dangled before the drivers, it’s all to race for!
Highlights today are the Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy race for motorcycles, the always popular St Mary’s Trophy and the post-war Grand Prix cars battling for the Goodwood Trophy.
Saturday is also Ladies’ Day so make sure you come dressed to impress girls!
Sunday 14th September
Not to be missed on Sunday is the Royal Automobile Club TT Celebration race, which showcases some of the world’s most valuable racing cars; this for many is the highlight of the weekend.
Don’t forget to look up today, as Spitfires and Hurricanes take to the skies.
The Prize Giving ceremony ends a perfect weekend.
The main races are:
There’s more to Goodwood Revival than racing!
With amazing aircraft, fantastic shopping, fabulous food, dancing, drinking and general merriment on offer away from the track; it would be easy to get lost in the crowds… Lucky for you, here’s a map of the event:
Revival Car Show
The action doesn’t just take place on the track, before you even make it through the gates you’ll be wowed by some seriously beautiful cars. Around 4500 pre-1974 tax exempt vehicles are driven to the show every year by guests, and parked up Over the Road for you to enjoy on your way in to the races. Look out for the top 10 cars posted daily!
Aviation
Aviation is as much a part of this nostalgia-fest as the cars; and true to form there is a line-up of around 30 stunning aircraft on show at this year’s Spirit of Aviation show, some from as early as the 1920s! Check out the de Havilland DH82, the Douglas C-47A Dakota and the Auster 5; which took part in the D-Day landings, and taking centre stage is the helicopter made famous by Pussy Galore in the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger…
Fashion
Dressing up is half the fun!
Dressing up is optional; you don’t have to don retro gear to go to Goodwood, but really its half the fun of the revival so why not get involved? Every year attendees go to great efforts to recreate the looks of the 1940s, 50s and 60s; women make themselves over in either WWII uniform chic, 50s glam and gorgeous or miniskirts and black eyeliner from the 60s.
The look for men is either RAF uniform, blazers, cravats and panamas or all out 60s with a crushed velvet suit!
World’s coolest kids
Dressing up could also see you crowned ‘Best Dressed’ at the event, look out for the teams of judges on the prowl throughout the site and you could bag a prize; there’s one male and one female prize up for grabs every day!
Shopping & eating
Browse the racks at the vintage markets
The site is full of dining options, from lingering over fancy fare at the Goodwood Hotel, to grabbing a burger from a NAAFI Wagon; there is something for everyone.
For even more eating options head Over the Road, which is quite literally, over the road via a bridge. Here you’ll find a fairground, loads of shopping and bars playing out live music. Don’t miss the Doom Bar where you can sample some Goodwood Lager & Ale, or the Butlins Roller Disco which is brand new for 2014.
The Revival High Street offers shopping from a by-gone era, lovingly recreated; you can enjoy a stroll down memory lane while browsing market stalls, a coffee shop and even a vintage Tesco where the staff are kitted out in period uniforms and retro products fill the shelves.
The Tesco at Goodwood is packed full of vintage stock
For more information head to Goodwood Revival.