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Goodwood Revival – Test Day

They talk about Glorious Goodwood, but when they say that typically it’s the horse racing that they mean.

However, yesterday could equaly be described as Glorious Goodwood. The sun was shining, we were at the Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit as spectators for one of the Revival Weekend Test Days. We were surrounded by the sounds of hundreds, probably thousands, of horsepower. And instead of the smell of horse sweat and manure the smell of tyre smoke and racing fuel permeated the air.

Jon, my son-in-law, and I were here for the day. We really had no idea what to expect as this is not a public event. The Test Days are open, free of charge, to Goodwood Road Racing Club members. Much of the circuit is a construction site as the preparations proceed for the Revival weekend.

There were cars on the track but no schedule of events. No racing per se but tell that to a racing driver who is trying wring every last ounce of performance out of his car.

So, we arrived on circuit at around 09:45 and as there were cars already out on track we headed via the tunnel to the pit lane area where we could get an overview of the track.

We were just in time for the end of a session as we could see the red flag out and cars were being directed into the paddock area.

As we could see that cars were queuing in the pit lane for the next session we went for a closer look.

The beauty of days like these test days is that you can get up close with the cars, the drivers and their support teams.

Also, behind the pit lane area are the paddocks where the cars are prepared before heading out onto the track. This are will be filled to capacity over the revival weekend but for our visit there were only a few cars in residence.

From the paddock we headed across to the other side of the track to get a different perspective on the action.

By way of a change we were treated to a few open wheeled racers.

As this was only a test day we had been prewarned that there could be interruptions to proceedings, that certain areas of the circuit may be out of bounds due to construction activities.

And so it was that the track was shut down while a crane was brought out to lift some framework for one of the stands. Though this didn’t stop all activity as the next two pictures show. The lead car, with the hatch open, had a video film camerman sitting in the back, filming the following cars.

Once the cranework was completed the track was reopened and we were back to the action.

These remaining photos were taken from either opposite to the pit exit or from above the pit lane buildings.

Memorial To Mike Hawthorn and Lofty England

Well I hope I didn’t bore you to death with this post and all my snaps. If you got this far, thanks for sticking with me.

The thing that always amazes me is that the owners of these cars, worth millions of pounds, allow them to be raced. And believe me the drivers don’t hold back.

View From The Conservatory

View From The Conservatory

This squirrel was keeping a watchful eye on me after beating a hasty retreat from the neighbours cat.

View From The Conservatory

View From The Conservatory

A beautiful pair of Orchid blooms.

View From The Conservatory

The slow worm (Anguis fragilis) is a reptile native to western Eurasia.

These legless lizards are also sometimes called common slowworms.

I disturbed this one whilst mowing my lawn.

View From The Conservatory

Grey squirrel with an albino in the background. The albino has been hanging around for a few weeks now.

View From The Conservatory

Goodwood Road Racing Club – 81st Members Meeting

Per my recent post, on Sunday, 14th April, I had the great pleasure of attending the annual Members Meeting, held at the Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit.

This was the 81st Members Meeting. It’s amazing to think that this annual event has been going for so long.

Thankfully, the weather was kind, dry with some sunshine throughout the day, although the temperatures did drop later in the afternoon.

But hey, this post isn’t about the weather. Let’s get on to the main event. It’s all about historic cars, some of which are over one hundred years old, being raced around the Goodwood circuit.

So here are some photos of some fabulous cars, oh and motorcycles.

Getting us started is a fairly modern vehicle by Goodwood standards ….

This was just one of an array of Alpines lined up to greet us as we arrived.

Close by there was this fine display of monster Bentleys.

On arrival we were just in time for the first race.

Here we are on the grid but no sign of the cars.

1954 Kieft-Climax GP, 1953 HWM-Alta F2, “Monoposto”, 1953 Connaught Type A,

These guys were all lining up to compete in the Parnell Cup, a twenty minute race for Grand Prix, Formula 2 and Voiturette cars. These cars are of a type that raced between 1935 and 1953.

Next up was the Derek Bell Cup. a twenty minute race for 1-litre Formula 3 cars that raced between 1964 and 1970.

Yes, all lined up ready for the off. Unfortunately the race start was delayed for a few minutes.

One of the many stalwart volunteers, without whom events such as this could not go ahead.

Unfortunately, due to a racing incident the race was red flagged, an ambulance was deployed and all the remaining competitors had to return to the grid for the eventual race restart.

For a totally different form of racing we move on to the Sidecar Shootout. Racing sidecars was a first for Goodwood. The shootout featured eight of the quickest pairings from the Sidecar World Championships.

The riders, or is it drivers, and their passengers have to be truly insane. One of the competitor vehicles was clocked at 144 mph.

Steven Kershaw & Ryan Charlwood, LCR-Yamaha YZF-R6

Between each racing event, the McLaren cars would come out to play.

Presumably checking that the circuit was clear of any debris prior to the next event.

Which in this case was the Surtees Trophy. The Trophy race is for unlimited sports racing prototypes that raced between 1960 and 1966. The race duration was twenty minutes.

First the formation lap …..

And then they were off.

Charging into the first corner.

Here are a few detail shots …..

As we headed into the afternoon it was time for a Mustang or two, or thirty. Yep, thirty Ford Mustangs headed out onto the grid for the Ken Miles Cup. This forty-five minute race was for first generation Ford Mustangs that raced up to 1966.

Unfortunately, due to a racing incident, the safety car had to be deployed and the track cleared before racing could continue.

And then we were racing again …..

Sadly, this guy didn’t get to the finish line …..

But the Members Meeting isn’t all about racing. Some of the events are demonstration runs. On this occasion there was a real treat in store for motorsport fans, Can-Am. The Can-Am series introduced some of the wildest, most extreme race cars of all time.

Following the Can-Am demo we were treated to a real vintage display. Part 2 of the S.F. Edge Trophy. A five lap race for Edwardian racing cars, and Aero-Engined Specials, from the early 20th Century. Here are a few of my snaps …..

And now, back to the future. Here we have a Gordon Murray Automotive T.33 “Mule” supercar

Travelling back in time, just a little, we were treated to a demonstration of Niki Lauda’s McLaren MP4/2B……

And then as time was marching on, at around 17:00, we had the final of the Sidecar Shootout.

Steven Kershaw & Ryan Charlwood ready for th off, on their LCR-Yamaha YZF-R6

Finally, as we were getting ready to leave the circuit for the day, there was much activity on the grid as Goodwood prepared for the Peter Collins Trophy, a twenty minute race for sports racing cars of a type that would have raced between 1948 and 1955.

We didn’t actually see this race get underway as we were heading to the car park, but all in all we had a fabulous day. Once again Goodwood put on a spectacular event.

Thank you to Goodwood

Thank you to all the competitors and demonstration drivers.

Thank you to all the owners who allow these fabulous machines to driven as they were intended.

I’m of an age that I remember some of these vehicles racing, watching them on a Saturday afternoon, in black and white, on the BBC. Certainly I can’t get enough of them and all being well, I will definitely be back for the 82nd Members Meeting in 2025.