The Goodwood Members’ Meeting kicked off 2024 in thunderous fashion, showcasing some of the world’s best and noisiest historic motorsport. It delivered a cacophony of outrageous Can-Am cars, introduced modern motorcycle sidecars to the Goodwood Motor Circuit for the first time, and the Ken Miles Cup offered an entire grid of 30 first-generation Mustangs to delight the crowds.
Goodwood Revival rekindles the circuit’s heyday from 1948 to 1966 through the sights and sounds of cars and motorcycles racing around the hallowed tarmac. Period decoration and entertainment bring the whole venue to life, and guests dress to the nines in the fashions of the day.
Returning to the Festival of Speed this year was a damp disappointment. Not just because of the weather but because something didn’t sit right with me. My last visit was in 2019, which I thoroughly enjoyed, like all my previous visits. After such a break, did I expect too much from the 30th edition of the Goodwood Festival of Speed?
Last year’s inaugural FlatSix Show displayed a high standard through the images and reports which surfaced after the event, making it a definite on my calendar for this year. With all good intentions, the day was blocked out in my calendar, but for some reason, I hadn’t purchased a ticket. Two weeks before, I was still sat on the fence. It took a message from a good friend about an early morning B-road jaunt down to Goodwood before I committed and bought my ticket. With the meeting place agreed upon and time set for ‘oh-my-it’s-early’, another Porsche adventure was ahead of us.
Surprising as it may sound, this was my first visit to Retro Rides Weekender. In all honesty, it was my first Retro Rides event, but having lived previous gatherings through digital and print media I thought I had a good understanding of what to expect. Was I right? Let’s say that disappointment was at a big fat zero and every other sense was at 11. With such a wild mix of rides, a fantastic venue and a great vibe throughout the event, all I can say is I’ll be back for more.
As Goodwood celebrates 75 years of motorsport, the Members Meeting delivered us a showcase of some the best historic motorsports on the planet, plus a delightful selection of classic and interesting vehicles to admire.
With the 80th Members Meeting round the corner, it’s the last chance for the teams to get some miles on the Goodwood circuit, putting their cars and bikes through their paces on the Goodwood Motor Circuit ahead of the event itself. Previous years these test days have been open to the public, but this year exclusive access was only offered to the GRRC community.
As Goodwoods’ 79th Members’ Meeting returned to its more traditional time of year, celebrating the start of the West Sussex estates’ motorsport calendar for 2022. We were gifted a riot of sunshine and classic motorsport, recreating the atmosphere of the original BARC race meetings held at Goodwood through the 1950s and 1960s. This event is always a thrilling weekend of epic motor racing, high-speed track demonstrations and fun-packed festivities.
Typically Goodwood Members Meeting is the curtain raiser for the UK historic racing season, but this year it felt more like a triumphant season finale. After many delays due to pandemic restrictions, the flag finally dropped at the 78th Members Meeting on 16-17 October 2021, moving from its originally scheduled date in May.
The Goodwood Revival should need no introduction, it’s become an institution in its own right since its inception in 1998. If you’re not familiar with it, the Revival celebrates the sights and sounds of the circuit’s hay day period of 1948–1966.
After enjoying last years Revival so much another visit was always going to happen. This time I had a much better idea of what to expect and once again was not disappointed. Revival celebrates the sights and sounds of the circuit’s hay day period of 1948–1966. This year there was a particular focus on the ’60s.
Another year, another Festival of Speed, and once again the Duke of Richmond and his team deliver one of the best celebrations of motoring and motorsport. This year there were changes to the format we’ve come to enjoy over the last few years, including the addition of the ‘arena’ which allowed for various drifting and stunt riding demonstrations.
The GRRC Spring Sprint is a perfect opportunity for a spirited drive down to Chichester to watch a broad mix of machinery thrashing out lap times. It’s also relatively quiet spectator-wise.
Having seen images and footage from previous Members Meetings, I knew I had to attend. To do so, you need to be a GRRC member. I joined as a Fellow primarily so I could attend this event over any of the other benefits and I think it was worth the joining fee.
I just had too many images and too much excitement just for one post.
A three-day festival celebrating the sights and sounds of road racing cars and motorcycles that would have competed during the circuit’s hay day period of 1948–1966.
Celebration seemed to be the unofficial theme of this year’s Festival of Speed. The event itself was marking its 25th year, the centre lawn sculpture was celebrating Porsche 70th birthday and there was also the parade of Land Rovers celebrating their 70th birthday too. And for me, I was celebrating turning up in my ‘supercar’. Two years ago I left the 2016 Festival of Speed saying to myself ‘when I return next year it will be in my own 911’. A year later I had the 911 but didn’t take it to Goodwood as I was driven there by a friend. So this year I had to drive my 911. To make it even more special, I booked supercar parking for the Thursday. We all have things that make us feel good, those little personal fist pump moments, this was one of mine. Driving onto the Goodwood estate in my 911, with the ‘supercar parking’ pass felt great — small pleasures.
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