Vintage cars, vintage planes, vintage clothes . . . The Goodwood Revival has it all.
As I wrote last week, the Goodwood Revival recreates the golden age of motor racing from the 1950s and 60s. The event is held on the motor circuit at Goodwood House, just outside Chichester.
It's a wonderfully atmospheric event. Visitors are strongly encouraged to dress in period costume, and many of the spectators make tremendous efforts to dress the part. Only pre-1966 vehicles are admitted onto the grounds, which helps give the whole event a terrific time warp quality. Spectators who arrive in their own vintage cars can park close to the action, but modern vehicles must be left in remote car parks.
The main event is motor racing, with 16 vintage car races spread over the weekend. There are also lots of other attractions, including displays of vintage aircraft, a fairground with a carousel and helter skelter, and a huge market selling vintage clothes and car accessories.
One of the highlights is a flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. This unit of the Royal Air Force includes Spitfire and Hurricane fighters and a Lancaster bomber.
Many of the spectators are turned out in period clothes. Here's a selection of pictures from around the grounds.
The principal race of the weekend is the Royal Automobile Club TT Celebration. This is a one-hour long race for closed-cockpit GT cars from the early 1960s.
Ferrari 250GTO and Jaguar E-type lowdrag coupe
Aston Martin DB4GT
Racing can be a dangerous sport, especially with vintage cars. Despite many of the cars being highly valuable, the races can get very competitive. There was a heart stopping moment when Jochen Mass, the German Formula 1 veteran, flipped over his Lancia-Ferrari D50A when coming out of the chicane. The marshalls quickly pulled him out of the car to safety.
The Man of Mode belongs to the Goodwood Road Racing Club, which gives him access to the paddock. Here are a few shots of Ferraris in the paddock, just before their races.
5 comments:
Fabulous photos. Thank you.
Splendid! Thank you! What gorgeous autos!
And I wouldn't mind being in your young lady's squadron. I seem to recall that women in the Air Service were known as WREN's, but a quick Google doesn't confirm. Happen to know?
Tim - the women in the air force were known as WAAFs (Women's Auxiliary Air Force). The Wrens were the naval equivalent (from the WRNS, Women's Royal Naval Service).
Thank you, of course, the acronym.
Looks like it was loads of fun and a beautiful day.
see you soon!
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