Goodwood Revival, The Cars and Bikes (it did start out as a race event)

Yes well, Goodwood Revival did start out as a race event for vintage and Classic Race Cars and Motorcycles from the period 1948 until 1966 the type of vehicles that would have raced at the Goodwood circuit in it's hey day, during that time Goodwood race track was one of Britains premier circuits hosting Formula one racing, TT sports car events and the Goodwood nine hour.
The circuit is relatively unchanged, therefore it has that look of days gone by during the Revival only period vehicles are aloud into the circuit, excepting of course modern emergency service vehicles even these keep a low profile,  and what with officials and competitors all dressed in appropriate attire, white coveralls and helmets for drivers and black leathers for riders and officials wearing anything from coveralls to trousers, shirts, jacket and tie the whole event takes on a back to the good old days ambience.
For the fans of the golden days of motor sport and I say that because those were the days when a small almost backyard concern could develop a car that would change the course of history and bring the leading marques to their knees, when drivers had charisma not just a pr machine and spectators could get up close and personal with their hero's, the motor car was developing at a frenetic pace as was competition developement, to walk the pits and see these ground breaking cars, each a celebrity in it's own right, to be trackside seeing and hearing these magnificent cars in action is a treat not to be missed.
There is no point naming all the Manufacturers represented at the Revival, because whatever Marque you drool after it will be here, being driven flat out and swapping paint with the other greats of the motor racing universe, the owners and drivers of these classics are to be congratulated for not only are these cars here to be seen, but to be raced and raced hard, the Revival is not a time trial, it is guts and glory stuff, the drivers do not go out of their way to damage these thoroughbreds but will use every horse under the bonnet and command every inch of track in an effort to take the checkerd flag, making for some incredibly close and exciting racing.
Goodwood is not just for the likes of Ferarri, Maserati, Jaguar, and Aston Martin the St Mary's Cup is where the cars the likes of you and I could afford are raced, road going family sedans tweeked and transformed into formidable racing machines by the likes of us tinkering in our sheds, the on track performance of these specials gives us an insight into the potential within a car of humble origins competing for glory on the race track, their drivers engaging each other as if for champion of the world status, you cannot help but smile at the sight of a two cylinder BMW pursuing a V8 Jaguar and giving it a very hard time!
The Motorcycles compete with no less enthusiasm, these guys are the embodyment of the do it yourself racer most with small budgets and limited resources but using every ounce of their skills both in the saddle and mechanically in the pursuit of victory, walking through the pit area you can see the team mechanics, sweat pouring from their brow as the try to rebuild a blown clutch or refine the tune to achieve a few more revs, which could mean the difference between winner or bridesmaid, today just as it was back then Motorcycle racing is predominately a blue collar sport.
I hope I have convinced you to take a trip down this particular memory lane, which is Goodwood Revival and if you do go, go all out and join into the spirit of the event, you will not be disappointed.

1949 Gordini Type 23S

1952 Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica

1953 Jaguar C Type

1958 Lister-Chevrolet 'Knobbly'

1958 Lister-Jaguar 'Ecosse' exposed

1959 Jaguar-Lister 'Knobbly'

1959 Lotus-Climax 16

1960 Maserati Tipo 61 'Birdcage'

1962 Brabham-Climax BT3

1962 Lotus-Climax 25

1962 McKee-Chevrolet 'Mahrya'

1962 Tyrrell-Cosworth

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

1964 Ginetta G4

1965 Warrick GT350

Aston Martin DB1

BMW R32 Modified

BSA Gold Star

Gilera Saturno

Jaguar C Type

Lotus- Escort

Lotus

Norton ES2 

Norton Manx 500

Wrenching in the pits

Austin A30

Ferarri GT250

Pre race prep for a Vincent

Rudge TT

Goodwood Revival, more than just a classic and vintage race meet !

Goodwood Revival has been running since 1998, the revival is a three day festival of Classic and Vintage race cars and Motorcycles being raced as they would have been in the day, no quarter given none asked! racing is however a only one facet of what the Revival is, the the Revival is a celebration of the past a place where lovers of all things vintage, or retro if you prefer can put on their best threads from which ever era stirs their imagination, from the forties unto the sixties meet with like minded enthusiasts and for those three days live the dream.

Lord March and his enthusiastic legion of organisers and volunteers have managed to put together the finest vintage / retro festival in the world, complete with vintage and classic race cars and motorcycles, vintage vehicles of all types, an incredible display of classic aircraft, art, music, vintage themed bars and vendor stalls and street theatre all of which allows you to descend into the perceived comfort of days past, and quite convincingly too.

In this Blog I will be bringing Goodwood to you bit by bit this first instalment will be the People of Goodwood, showcasing some of those wonderful people who go the extra mile and dress in their chosen style, this but a small example of those wonderful folks who help to make the Revival what it is, and add so much colour and life to the weekend, the best thing about dressing for the Revival is you don't have to be beautiful or handsome, everyone shines at Goodwood, passion is what shows thru.

There is a dress code for all competitors, officials, journalists which simply put is look the part or don't bother coming, but even the vendors take the opportunity to look their best in period fashion as they attend their stall which by the way has a retro theme, even the big companies such as Tescos, BMW, Porsche etc get into the spirit of things themeing their displays and stores to continue the illusion, the organisers leave no stone unturned to bring together an event where you as a spectator can feel at ease engage as much or as little as you like and enjoy a hassle free weekend away.

When it comes to the fashions on the street anything goes and it is extremely interesting to see what those around you decide to wear, I will start by saying that i was wearing a dark blue pinstriped suit hand made in 1947 in the town where i live by Joe Tailor a Polish refugee, the suit spent three months traveling Europe with us, and survived I am glad to say.

As you walk around the Revival you see a lot of men and women dressed in Military dress, Army, Navy and Airforce and land army uniforms from various countries, there are women dressed in nannies uniforms, casual street clothes the muted coulours and austere suits of the war years giving way to the phsychedelic colours and patterns from the sixties, both men and women strive to have the correct accessories and of course hair and makeup for the ladies, hats, neatly trimmed beards and moustaches are de rigueur for the men, there sense of fun and glamour everywhere but it never takes itself too seriously, FUN is definitely the order of the day.

Anyway here come the photos, Enjoy!