Goodwood Revival Meeting 2014 | 1. The races
GOODWOOD'S TIME MACHINE
The Goodwood Revival Meeting, held in September 12-14, was a magnific close to the summer season with a creditable 50s-60s atmosphere that nearly rivalized with the on track action. Writes: David Leciñana | Photo credits: Philip Davis (otherwise stated). Flickr link.
Such is the magnitude Goodwood Revival have reached that even some prefer it to its elder brother, the Festival of Speed. Limiting itself to the most memorable period of this well-know english circuit and its carefully designed enviroment have lent the event a special appeal over the years. And everything supported with a first-class TV coverage.
Focusing on the purely sport side, the festival enjoyed lots of competitions that could be seen from anywhere in the area through massive video screens. Great champions and celebrities were spotted among the cars that organizers put together for the weekend and allocated in the 17 races scheduled. Except from Friday, that only hosted the Sussex Trophy (for 1955-60 Sports cars), every kind of racing machinery could be seen in the Revival, from single seaters to gran turismos, and also bike races took place (the Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy).
During Saturday the Lavant Cup stood out. It returned to Goodwood in its four edition and it was reserved to D-type Jaguars. This endurance legend turned 60 this year and was celebrated with a race that gathered 30 units. 'Short' and 'Long nose' could be seen, in addition to to the exclusive XKSS road versions. Gary Pearson won with authority.
Motorgrafico #002
1. The races | Goodwood Revival Meeting 2014
As crushing as Pearson was Chris Goodwin with his win in the Whitsun Trophy (1961-66 Sports Prototypes). This regular classic motorsport driver drove to victory his McLaren-Chevrolet M1B (ex-McLaren and ex-Amon) with a final margin of over 17 seconds. Piero Enrico was second with a curious Huffaker-Genie. The grid, that included also several Lola T70, closed the day with the most powerful cars of the weekend.
After the exciting duels that brought the second run of the St. Mary's Trophy, with saloons from 1950 to 1959, on Sunday turn came for the Goodwood Revival's flagship: the RAC Tourist Thropy Celebration. The race was limited for period competitors in the famous race between 1960 and 1964. That includes jewells like Ferraris 250 SWB, one DP212 from Aston Martin, Bizarrinis A3/C, Lightweight E-types,... being one of the numerous Cobras the first crossing the line with David Hart at the wheel.
As you may see in the video, the pure racing spirit prevailed unceremoniously as was the common rule in the Festival. This includes multiple-car spins, barrier heavy crashes and a expensive GTO with the door open at high speed. That's quite simply the Goodwood Revival Meeting.
Goodwood Revival paid tribute to several icons in the world of motorsport. Two 60th anniversaries were held (for the Jaguar D-Type and the Maserati 250F) and one proper birthday party for Sir Stirling Moss. Now a experimented 'endurance driver' he turned 85 three days after the Festival.
Hovewer Sir Jackie Stewart was the main figure as the G. Revival Meeting Special Tribute 2014 was introduced to him. The triple F1 champion (1969, 71 and 73) was wrapped with many period mechanics and workmates (brought by Goodwood 'magic') and remembered the day when he drove a single seater for the first time in this very circuit that would change his life. A parade of 23 cars part of his career were led by the scotish himself in a very moving celebration.
Motorgrafico #002
