Goodwood Revival Meeting 2016

The 19th Annual Goodwood Revival Meeting took place last weekend (9-11th September 2016) and it did not disappoint, another great event at the legendary circuit and a must for any historic motorsport fan. Races included the Sussex Trophy for WC Sportscars from 55’-60′, St Mary’s Trophy, Settrington Cup and the headline race of the weekend the Goodwood RAC TT celebration for closed cockpit GT cars from 63’-64’…

Engines were warmed up and the cars were put through their paces during Friday’s practice sessions ahead of the racing on Saturday and Sunday. One of the themes of the weekend was the England World Cup 66’ triumph, with a 1966 England “Team” warming up over the site doing training runs, along with some very enthusiastic fans! Friday concluded with the Kinrara Trophy, a race into the dark for closed cockpit GT cars that competed up until 1962. The spoils were taken by “Mr. LeMans” Tom Kristensen and Joe Macari in a 61’ Ferrari 250 GT SWB after a great drive from Tom Kristensen coming through the field after a safety car period. The crowds would party into the darkness in anticipation for a full race programme on Saturday.

Saturday would be a challenge for most at the circuit due to the persistent rain, this however created some exciting racing for the 1st two races of the morning, the Goodwood Trophy for Pre-51 GP cars and the Madgwick Cup for 60’-66’ Sports prototypes. Saturday also saw the 1st of two races of the Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy in which the Williams/Farrall Rudge TTR took victory in a rain soaked race. One of the most spectacular moments of the race was when Troy Corser hit a puddle whilst attempting to overtake IOM TT legend John McGuinness, this caused Corser to hit the tarmac in a spectacular fashion, he however walked away unharmed.

Sunday, thankfully lived up to it’s name, as the crowds entered the car parks at 7am as the sun was rising and the sky was a glorious blue! Sunday was the conclusion of the St. Mary’s Trophy, a 1 make race for Austin A30/35, the 1st race of which was won by Andrew Jordan on Saturday. James Dorlin took victory in Race 2, with the Jordan’s coming in 3rd. The results were combined over the 2 races and the Jordans came out on top by a second from the Soper / Knill-Jones car. The main race on Sunday was the RAC TT Celebration the Shedden / Ward E-Type was on pole with the Hart / Van Der Garde Cobra in P2. It was a close battle all race between these 2 cars, it all came to a head when the No. 2 Cobra got a little out of shape and the closely following No. 89 E-Type tagged the rear end of the Cobra. This caused the Cobra to spin into the gravel and ending an excellent battle between the two cars. The Ward / Shedden E-Type took victory in the hour long race, with the Squire / Stippler and Smith / Bryant Cobras coming in P2 and P3 respectively. The Cobra of Hart / Van Der Garde finished in P4 after losing time after the contact.

Sunday was concluded with the Glover Trophy for 1.6 ltr. GP cars and the Sussex Trophy for 55’-60’ sportscars. The Glover Trophy was particularly hard fought with Fennel and Stretton going into the last lap with less than a tenth of a second between them, after a small off for Stretton, Fennel took the chequered flag.

Once again Goodwood Revival produced another stunning weekend, with all the sights, sounds and smells of yesteryear, 2016 proved to be another fine vintage. Enjoy the gallery.