Preview -- Goodwood Revival
The big event of the historic motor racing calendar is fast approaching. Paul Lawrence runs through the race programme for September 16-18
Over the weekend of September 16-18 the Goodwood Revival will once again deliver a fabulous celebration of the sport’s heritage. With two full days of racing, the meeting remains the historic highlight of the season as it heads into its eighth year. There is simply nothing like it.
As ever, the stars are lining up to take on the high-speed challenge of the former WWII airfield in Sussex. Sir Stirling Moss, Gerhard Berger, Jochen Mass, Dario Franchitti, Emanuele Pirro, Derek Bell and Peter Brock are just a sprinkling of the heroes planning to appear.
The event will also mark the 40th anniversary of Jackie Stewart’s first grand prix win, at Monza in 1965. Around 25 cars from his career will be demonstrated each day.
As is now customary, Goodwood is advance ticket only so if you have yet to book, act quickly for it will be a sell-out. Call 01243 755055 or visit www.goodwood.co.uk to ensure you don’t miss out.
Saturday…
Race 1: Goodwood Trophy (12 laps)
The best of the ERAs take on the immediate post-war grand prix and Formula Two single-seaters. Barrie Williams and David Wenman’s Connaught A-type is the benchmark now that John Ure no longer has ERA R9B at his disposal.
Race 2: Chichester Cup (14 laps)
Rear-engined cars are back for this year’s Formula Junior race. Expect a thriller, with 2002 winner Martin Walford hopefully back in his rebuilt ex-Peter Arundell Lotus 22.
Race 3: Whitsun Trophy (18 laps)
One of the big highlights of the Saturday programme. Half a dozen Ford GT4Os are entered for the Whitsun Trophy, but look out for Frank Sytner’s Lola T70 Spyder. He is on for a hat-trick of wins — if his entry is confirmed.
Races 4 and 12: Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy (Parts 1 and 2 — 8 laps each)
Legends Wayne Gardner and Kevin Schwantz, plus Jamie Whitham, head the two-part ‘bike race for 350-500cc 1962-66 machines — and Gardner is also chasing a hat-trick.
Race 5: Earl of March Trophy (8 laps)
Back after a two-year absence, the 500cc Formula Three cars will make a welcome return to the Goodwood mix. Julian Majzub has won it four times in the past, but the venerable Reg Hargrave — winner in 2002 — is capable of a repeat win in his Kieft.
Races 6 and 11: St Mary’s Trophy (Parts 1 and 2 — 14 laps each)
Always a Goodwood highlight, it’s back to 1960s tin-tops this year with a race each day. Many of the big names will be in action — and you can bet that ‘Whizzo’ Williams will be worth the trip alone.
Race 7: Brooklands Trophy (10 laps)
Introduced in 2004, the Brooklands Trophy race was a real hit for the pre-war machines. Alfa Romeo, Bentley, Bugatti and Maserati will all be in contention for the race that fell to Duncan Ricketts’ diminutive Dixon Riley a year ago.
Race 8: Freddie March Memorial Trophy (12 laps)
Wrapping up the bill on Saturday and named in honour of the present Earl of March’s grandfather. It recreates the Goodwood nine-hour races of the early 1950s with Jaguar taking on Aston Martin.
Sunday…
Race 9: Fordwater Trophy (12 laps)
Back after being rested for 2004 is the race for production-based sports and GT cars of the late 1950s and early 1960s. The 2003 race fell to Morgan nut Adrian van der Kroft in his early Plus 4.
Race 10: Richmond and Gordon Trophies (15 laps)
The early rear-engined cars will surely set the pace among the InterContinental Formula and Formula One cars from 1954-61. In recent times only Philip Walker’s front-engined Lotus 16 has been able to stem the Cooper tide.
Race 14: Royal Automobile Club TT Celebration race (one hour, two-driver)
For many fans, this is the race of the weekend as most of the stars line up in GT cars from the early 1960s.
Going for a hat-trick will be Mark Hales and Richard Attwood in the ISO Bizzarini, but there are so many pretenders to their crown. How about Franchitti and Pirm in a lightweight E-type, for instance?
Race 15: Glover Trophy (16 laps)
The most recent F1 cars in action over the course of the weekend are the 1.5-litre machines from the 1961-65 era. Expect former double Glover winner and period F1 racer Attwood to be a contender in his BRM P261, but the best of the Brabhams could set the pace.
Race 16: Sussex Trophy (14 laps)
Tony Dron has made the Sussex Trophy very much his race in recent times in the Ferrari Dino 246S, but Julian Bronson roared his Lister Chevrolet to victory in 2004 in the race for World Championship sportscars from 1955-60.
***
Timetable — what’s on when…
Friday…
07.30 Paddocks open
08.40 Air display
09.00 Practice begins (in race order)
12.30 Demonstration: tribute to Sir Jackie Stewart
13.15 Practice continues
17.15 Practice ends
17.30 Bonhams Sale
Saturday…
07.30 Paddocks open
10.00 Races 1-4
12.30 Demonstration: tribute to Sir Jackie Stewart
14.00 Races 5-8
16.30 Racing ends
Sunday…
07.30 Paddocks open
09.40 Air display
10.00 Races 9-12
13.00 Demonstration: tribute to Sir Jackie Stewart
14.00 Races 14-16
17.00 Racing ends
18.00 Prize giving