Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
Boy did it rain. At one point I was thinking maybe I could do a feature on ‘Umbrellas at the Revival’ but this is Britain and rain does not usually stop play, or if it does then it is not for long.
The Goodwood people still have the eye for detail, take for instance the Mini located outside the Betty Richmond Driving School in the infield area. It was only when I looked at my photographs did I notice that it had crashed into the Belisha Beacon. (I understand that Betty Richmond, the current Duke’s grandmother was not a very good driver.) Pit lane was set up to house the Surtees tribute cars, complete with period advertising hoardings and period refueling rigs. The military vehicle display was quite a sight and very muddy but they must have been expecting rain as they had brought a boat and several amphibious vehicles and a swimming tank.
Visitors entering through the main gate must have felt that they had walked onto the set of a western film complete with a Revival saloon with dancing girls and cowboys; even the original toilet blocks had been disguised as a wash house and a jail. The flying display on Saturday and Sunday morning (Friday was cancelled due to the weather, as was the Thursday Cricket) was breathtaking, probably the best display in years comprising a P47 Thunderbolt, P51 Mustang and of course a Spitfire. Even though it was wet and muddy the majority of people still dressed up, lots of champagne was drunk, most people smiled, the racing was fantastic. And on Sunday afternoon the sun came out and people could finally enjoy the driving cinema ‘Across the Road’.
Below we’ll begin with shots from the Paddock area and segue to a few track shots.
Paddock and Assembly Area
On the Track
Charley Seavey says
What a great collection! Goodwood would be on my bucket list if I thought I could stand that long an airplane trip.
The Maserati A6GCS pictured probably competed in the Mille Miglia somewhere along the line judging from the number.