Sold out Revival draws 146,000 attendees and the most incredible vintage racing machines ever assembled in one place.
Motor sport enthusiasts and retro-fashion fans flocked to this past weekend’s Goodwood Revival to join in the fun and celebrations at the world’s largest historic motorsports event. Visitors traveled from around the world; the vast majority of spectators came dressed in their finest 1940s, 1950s and 1960s fashions.
On the track, a daily parade of cars associated with the distinguished motor racing career of American driver and team owner Dan Gurney was held, culminating in a colorful and emotional homage to the great man on Sunday. Goodwood’s Lord March paid tribute, as the marching band played, Gurney cars formed-up on the Goodwood grid, Mustangs displayed overhead, and fireworks and tickertape flew!
The 50th anniversaries of two iconic sports cars – Ferrari 250 GTO and Cobra - were celebrated at Goodwood, above, with a daily parade of GTOs, plus a dedicated Shelby Cup race, with the victory on Saturday going to Rob Hall and Andrew Wolfe.
An once-in-a-lifetime gathering of Silver Arrows, above, saw a lively demonstration each day of the Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union racers tackling the Goodwood circuit. When resting, the cars were housed in their own distinctive paddock, constructed specifically for the 2012 Revival, and accurately recreating the paddock shelters of the Bremgarten circuit home to the Swiss Grand Prix in the 1930s.
The first Settrington Cup, above, was a fabulous addition to the Revival this year, with exciting on-track action and some of the most memorable images of the whole event. Many of the entrants went to extreme lengths, which would put competitors in the gas-powered racers to shame, with the Smokey Yunick liveried car driven by twin girls Abbie and Maisie Mason, taking the Best Presented Team prize. This two-part contest for junior racers in their Austin J40 pedal cars saw victory on the second day falling to the rapid Florence Hall, who trounced 18 boys to triumph in her J40. Overall winner on aggregate was George Collings, who won Part 1!
The quality of racing was exceptional throughout the Revival weekend, with many nail-biting races and some thrills and spills along the way. Racing highlights included the thrilling St Mary’s Trophy for 1950s saloon cars, with Justin Law and Anthony Reid taking the hard-fought victory in a Jaguar Mk 1. The incredible grid for the Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy Celebration, above, also made for exciting competition, with the mighty Jaguar E-type ‘Lightweight’ of F1 stars Martin Brundle and car owner (and Red Bull Racing designer) Adrian Newey. The result was all the more remarkable as Red Bull design chief Newey spun off at St Mary’s on the first lap as Gary Pearson challenged on the inside aboard his similar car. Newey had to watch the entire field go by before he was able to return trackside!
The very deserving Rolex Driver of the Meeting at the 2012 Goodwood Revival was Max Werner, above, who drove his ‘33 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza racecar, below, all the way from Düsseldorf on his own, accompanied only by basic hand tools and a healthy slice of enthusiasm. On arrival he was offered help in preparing the car, to that he replied, “Don’t worry, I checked the oil and tires before I left home!”
He even turned down help with a pit board because he wasn’t too concerned about speed or lap times; he was just here to have fun! Despite a few scrapes along the way, including a spellbinding fight back from eighth place, he stormed through to win the Brooklands Trophy. Then drove all the way back home again to Germany – a round trip of some 800 miles!
Some great period fashions, including a sea of colourful outfits on Ladies Day (Saturday), helped seal the unique, fun atmosphere of the 2012 Revival, as did the live camels, helping to form part of the Lawrence of Arabia desert scene at the Rolex Drivers’ Club. Racing great Dan Gurney, above, and his cars were honored and Sir Jackie Stewart took some hot laps in a '62 Porsche 804, below. Sir Stirling Moss also drove demo laps.
A new Goodwood initiative – Over the Road – saw Revivalists eating, drinking and dancing into the night as a giant street party with pubs, live music and dance lessons continued until
10pm each evening.
The Freddie March Spirit of Aviation, in association with Midair, is now firmly established as a highlight of the Revival. This prestigious Concours d’Elegance for historic aircraft – named after Lord March’s grandfather – grew even larger and ever more popular this year, with the worthy winner being the Beech Staggerwing, entered by William Charney. The stunning ‘38 Bentley 4.5-litre Embiricos was the public’s choice for the Best British Sports Car in the
Earls Court Concours.
In all, the 2012 Goodwood Revival was a phenomenal success, with Revival-goers already talking with excitement and anticipation about next year’s event. For more information about Goodwood events, please visit http://www.goodwood.co.uk/home.aspx
http://www.facebook.com/goodwoodrevival
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