Goodwood Revival

[Tosh]

Marcus

Word!

[40 scout]

Marcus

Word!

Post of the month

[NurLinks]

Marcus

Word!

Ditto!

Some of you Brits probably don't realise how incredibly lucky you are: you have a (classic) car culture, an entire industry focussed on specialist/classic cars, the best racing in Europe (particularly classics) and some of the very best events. I've only been to Goodwood twice (2013 Revival and 2015 MM) but I was in awe of the friendly atmosphere, the racing and the exceptional execution of the vision of the Goodwood Team.

I found it really funny to hear a 'local' complain about British weather and to read an event called 'elitist' by a Porsche owner. DDK is a friendly bunch, but the Porsche brand is not for the masses (unless you get them at different prices in the UK )

Over here in Holland we have extortionist taxes on anything car related (purchase tax, road tax and fuel levies), almost a hate attitude against expensive or fast cars, the racing scene is almost dead and the knowhow of classic Porsches is very limited. The advantage we have of course is that tracks like Spa and the Nurburgring are a couple of hours away, but otherwise most car nuts over here are green with (positive) envy with what you have.

My friendly and humble advice would be to enjoy it while it lasts!

[anglophone1]

Elitist, possibly but consider this
If you are not a member and cant afford to buy a ticket you and your family can turn up for free
From 7:00 am and enjoy the whole over the road experience
A vintage and auto themed market, must have been at least 50 vendors
A large bar tent with live music all day till 10:30 pm
A massive viewing screen with commentary to watch the racing, under cover shelter provided in case it rains,with seats and tables
Ample loos
A vintage funfair
A wide choice of food concessions, Goodwood and other vendors
2 bars
The Bonhams tent to which the entry price was £10 before and during the auction and free afterwards
Themed entertainment, this year the "chap olympics"
The Battle of Britain fly past
Several classic dealers
The aforementioned tax free car park, quite possibly one of the largest classic shows in the country
Amazing people watching
A kids playground

I am sure I have missed stuff but I dont think thats bad for a free show.
Steve and I know people who just go for the free show and have a great time

GRRC members do pay for the privilage, their membership provides the cashflow neccessary to run the event and provide a cash buffer in case the weather creates a washout, they do get a few privilages and get to wear a natty badge, paddock passes and the chance to take a few guests in with them to the hallowed inner sanctums

There isnt much I would change about the event, its unique in the world and a testament to one mans vision
Met many Germans French Dutch Belgians Americans who marvel at the event and the British eccentricity on show whilst spending their wonderful cash keeping many hard working locals in employment
Next year cant come too quickly for me

Me too- and I'm one of the guys that puts out the extra for GRRC membership- well worth it just for the best event bogs in the world- and lavant bank the best picnic spot!
C

[gridgway]

I missed it this year, but have loved the racing in the past. I'm embarrassed to say that I don't really enjoy much other than the racing. I just find all the stuff and the crowds quite annoying - but that's just me, I'm a bit of a GoG

The last time I went (year before last?), they had that daft celebration of the Tour de France. What was that all about? Let's have some more racing instead please! See what I mean?

A friend asked me whether I was going to race at Goodwood and that set me thinking about how you go about it. I guess you either have to be very rich and own a car, even richer and not own a car or be a famous racing driver. I don't think I'm going to make it!

Graham

[Disco]

Thanks for the replies to my observations and its great to see such debate. Clearly I missed the map in the programme, quite how I don't know. I am also annoyed about missing the tax carpark ( thought that I was in it?!?)

Maybe its case of Disneyland syndrome for me - ie you need to have done it a couple of times to really get the most out of it - clearly those of you that have been many times ( Steve and Nick to name a few ) know the form and to find that you had missed out on stuff having done the three days means I must have missed loads of stuff in my one day - I found myself loafing between races trying to kill time either people watching or having a cup of tea. - obviously a monumental gap in my understanding of the set up...

I built the day up ( present from my wife, old man coming with me, 9 year old son having his first 'classic' experience and an opportunity to meet with like minded people).

My lasting take away would be to get a a grandstand ticket - milling about behind the heads of 6 ft people gets irksome! so that the racing can be enjoyed. I had friends there that were either drivers or on Hospitality - I could do without the fois gras and champagne, but a decent view would have been nice.

[camperco]

Anyway - back to the racing.

The highlight of the weekend for me was Tom Kristensen winning Saturdays St Marys Trophy touring car race. He started from the back of the grid, spent 5 laps learning to drive the Ford Fairlane, then went for it. The leading 3 cars (2 cortinas and an Alfa) were taking a breather having sorted themselves out when TK started to hunt them down. They were probably trying to work out which of them was posting the best lap times when the mirrors filled with Ford and there was nothing they could do to hold him off.

[neilbardsley]

Anyway - back to the racing.

The highlight of the weekend for me was Tom Kristensen winning Saturdays St Marys Trophy touring car race. He started from the back of the grid, spent 5 laps learning to drive the Ford Fairlane, then went for it. The leading 3 cars (2 cortinas and an Alfa) were taking a breather having sorted themselves out when TK started to hunt them down. They were probably trying to work out which of them was posting the best lap times when the mirrors filled with Ford and there was nothing they could do to hold him off.

Just watched that. Great driving but why did he qualify so backly?

[KS]

Just watched that. Great driving but why did he qualify so backly?

Car problem in qualifying and barely managed a complete lap.

[shoestring7]

Every year someone builds a new hotrod; Tom's a legend but his car must have had 200bhp on the 1600cc Lotii and Alfa.
I'd also like to know what the did to the TT winning E type, which blew past all the Cobras on the straight!
C.

[seawise]

quite surprised to see the odd person refer to the Revival as 'elitist', I'd say for a big annual social gathering with considerable corporate entertaining it's far from 'elitist'. the organisers appear to have made a big effort for it to be as inclusive for enthusiasts as possible, the ever growing official attendance figures bearing this out (and that's excluding the thousands who turn up for the free external village entertainment). I think those of us who pay our annual GRRC membership should get the odd benefit, such as a paddock pass and the Lavant tent. If everyone was allowed into the paddock the crowds would make it even more difficult for the teams to work on and move around the cars, that's the main reason why they have to restrict numbers I am afraid.

it is so much more inclusive for the crowds than the GP or even BTCC. if you are struggling to get a clear view jump on a free tractor and come over to St Mary's, where I usually head as you can lie on the bank in the sun and watch the racing. it's simply such a brilliant event and never fails to raise a smile.

and the racing, as ever it was brilliant to watch - long may it continue.

Oliver

[left4dead]

You were there too, Ollie? Someone else I failed to bump into then.

[seawise]

On Saturday I was Steve, yes, quite glorious it was too - chap I know was racing in the St Mary's cup, right at the back though ! had a good blast down from 'the Wells' in the old Turbo too.

[Black Betty]

Me too- and I'm one of the guys that puts out the extra for GRRC membership- well worth it just for the best event bogs in the world- and lavant bank the best picnic spot!
C

I second (+1 ) everything that is said about the Goodwood Revival and it being not 'elitist' at all. I visit it every year (from the Netherlands; and I second what NurLinks says) since 2009 and I decided thát year to become a Goodwood Member. I loved the Members Meetings I've visited since then; but I had to buy those tickets as a 'non member' (which was lots of years impossible) or as a guest (of someone who already is a member)...

Becoming a Member on the other hand is -even if you are willing to pay a substantial Memberships fee- not easy and a bit elitist...

Although I'm registered as a aspirant Member since 2009 I'm still not a member; I've heard of others who enlisted muck later than me (in 2011) that they have become members... So how does that work?

[auf wiedersehen pete]

The racing was spectacular, as ever. I went on Sunday. Best drivers for me:
Peter de la Roche, 17 years old, who won the first race, earl of March Trophy, on the last lap with a supreme pass around the outside at Woodcote.
Frank Stippler in the TT driving a silver Cobra. The way he bullied past James Cottingham's Cobra (himself an extremely strong racer) was just staggering.

There's nothing like the Revival