The Goodwood Revival Meeting took place over the weekend of 2nd/3rd September, with a magnificent entry of Vintage and Historic cars competing in 15 races that recalled the glory days of the circuit in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s.
 | | Robert Beebee from Hertfordshire |
Following a full day of practice on Friday the first race was for Grand Prix cars built between 1930 and 1950 with names like Maserati, Bugatti, ERA and Alfa Romeo battling it out for the Goodwood Trophy. With events for Formula Junior cars, classic motor bikes, sports cars and saloons, nostalgia reigned as the crowds not only enjoyed some fabulous, close racing, but were thrilled by a demonstration of World War 2 fighter aircraft flying across the infield with four Spitfires and several American Mustangs swooping overhead.
 | | Chris Philips from Milton Keynes in his AC Cobra |
Local interest was upheld by a number of drivers from across the three counties including Robert Beebee from Hertfordshire whose exploits in chain drive Frazer-Nash from the early thirties had the crowd clapping and cheering as he battled with the similar car of Blakeney-Edwards on a soaking wet track, both drivers more sideways than straight on every corner. Chris Philips from Milton Keynes drove a 4.7 litre AC Cobra in the feature event on Sunday, the RAC TT Celebration race. Starting from 10th spot Chris, and co-driver Barrie Williams made it through to 5th after an hour of frenzied action as cars like E-Type Jaguar, Ferrari GTO, Aston Martin and Chevrolet Corvette roared around the 2.4 mile circuit.
 | | Gary Pearson in his P25 BRM |
Amongst the retirements was Luton’s Kevin Kivlochan whose Cobra blew an engine, while the Milton Keynes based Formula 1 team duo of Team manager Christian Horner and driver Christian Klien also failed to finish in their similar car. Gary Pearson from Whittlebury in Buckinghamshire won two races, first driving a P25 BRM in the Glover Trophy and then taking the Sussex Trophy driving the D-Type Jaguar that won the Le Mans 24 hour race in 1955. Amongst the drivers behind him were ex-Grand Prix winner Johnny Herbert and High Wycombe’s Tony Bianchi in his unique Allard-Farrelac.
 | | Christian Klein's 1960 Austin A40 |
Jim Woodley from Buckinghamshire suffered a puncture in his Austin Westminster, causing the St. Mary’s Trophy race to be red flagged, a shame as he was on for a fourth place before the problem, while Christian Klien, swapping his Formula 1 car for a 1960 Austin A40, coped with the lack of power and a slippery surface to come home in 10th. place. Luton’s Simon Diffey also brought out the red flag when he spun into the gravel bed at the first corner of the Madgwick Cup race.
 | | Driver of the Meeting - Gary Pearson |
After the racing Lord March, who owns Goodwood, presented the prizes and named Gary Pearson as the ‘Rolex Driver of the Meeting’ so Gary came away with two trophies, several bottles of champagne and a most magnificent Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watch, said to be the most sought after timepiece of all time. Having seen it, I would agree. Lord March also thanked the spectators for joining in the spirit of the event by wearing period costume, which is required of everyone who takes part over the weekend in any capacity. | 
