Goodwood Members’ Meeting to celebrate 80th anniversary in style

Goodwood Members’ Meeting, April 15-16

Amid all the historic race events across the UK, few can match the Goodwood Members’ Meeting for variety. This year’s gathering commemorates its 80th anniversary and the circuit will be celebrating in style.

First is the Jim Clark Trophy to mark 60 years since the Lotus Cortina’s launch. Built in collaboration with Ford, it’s the car that the double F1 world champion won the British Saloon Car championship in. To mark the occasion, there will be a two-driver, 45-minute race for just the twin-cam legends.

A celebration of 1972-1980 touring cars will bring up to 60 tin-tops together as part of the Gordon Spice Trophy. With three races taking place across the weekend, it promises to be an exciting segment, while Formula 1 will be out in force. The 1980s era will be on full display including a special tribute each day to the Brabham BT52, 40 years on from its championship win.

A car intrinsically connected with the history of Goodwood, Brabham used the track in 1983 to test its latest model. Then driver and future champion Nelson Piquet finished a lap in under a minute and since then, it’s been labelled the ‘greatest lap of Goodwood’.

Then there are the numerous other races with raucous motors from pre-war times to Le Mans 24 Hours specials, all the way to grand prix motorbikes.

There will also be a dream selection up for auction courtesy of Bonhams, with lots varying from £6000 to an estimated £430,000 for a 1999 WRC Subaru Impreza. Dressed in its blue and gold, Richard Burns drove this very car in the Monte Carlo and Sanremo rallies.

On auction is also a beautiful 1970 Aston Martin DB6, a selection of classic E-type Jaguars, as well as a 1936 Rolls-Royce to go really old-school. There’s plenty more like this in stall for what should be an incredibly thrilling weekend – as it always is.

WEC – PortimÃo 6 Hours

Algarve Circuit, Portugal, April 16

Portugal returns to the calendar after missing 2022, with the race now six hours long and not eight. Toyota are looking for a repeat win in the Algarve at the season’s second round, as part of the first campaign allowing LMDh and LMH cars to compete together.

WRC – Croatia Rally

Zagreb, Croatia, April 20-23

Round four takes the series to Croatia for a third consecutive time. One hundred and eighty-seven miles of Tarmac await, which last year was won by eventual champion Kalle Rovanperä. After an open start to the ’23 WRC campaign, victory could be anyone’s.

BTCC – Donington Park

Donington Park, April 22-23

Donington Park’s Grand Prix layout will return to kick-start the touring car season. It’ll be the first time in 21 years that’s happened, with the weekend treating fans to three races. Tom Ingram will start his title defence on a grid that’s without stalwart double champion Jason Plato, who has retired.

Formula E – Berlin ePrix

Tempelhof Airport Street Circuit, Germany, April 22-23

After six gruelling rounds, the series heads to Europe for a jam-packed Berlin weekend which has appeared in every Formula E so far. Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein has started the campaign strongly and will be eyeing a home victory with two races that weekend on a rapid, nine-turn circuit.

Formula 1 – Miami Grand Prix

Miami International Autodrome, US, May 5-7

F1 returns to the glitz of Miami, which made a huge impact on its debut in ’22. Amid all the stars and NFL stadium, Max Verstappen stormed past both Ferraris to take victory. This time, the paddock will be moved inside the Hard Rock Stadium for the season’s fifth round.

More events

Apr 7-10 British GT – Oulton Park

Apr 16 IndyCar – Long Beach, US

Apr 16 Moto GP – COTA, USApr

28-30 F1 – Baku, Azerbaijan