Goodwood revival vs FOS

Goodwood revival vs FOS

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Discussion

patmahe

Original Poster:

5,778 posts

206 months

Wednesday 8th May
quotequote all
Hi All,

Attended the Festival of speed last year for the first time, enjoyed it no end and will be back but sadly not this year because of clashing obligations, considering going to the revival in September. Just wondering how it compares, is it a similar layout to the FOS just with older cars and people dress up, do you see more/less, is a grandstand ticket a must because there is actual racing rather than the hillclimb?

Would really appreciate the input of those who have attended both, which is your favourite?

No ideas for a name

2,277 posts

88 months

Wednesday 8th May
quotequote all
patmahe said:
Hi All,

Attended the Festival of speed last year for the first time, enjoyed it no end and will be back but sadly not this year because of clashing obligations, considering going to the revival in September. Just wondering how it compares, is it a similar layout to the FOS just with older cars and people dress up, do you see more/less, is a grandstand ticket a must because there is actual racing rather than the hillclimb?

Would really appreciate the input of those who have attended both, which is your favourite?
Well, the two events are totaly different, and obviously in a different place, so no layout similarities.

It depends what you like - personally I have next to no interest in FoS, but lots of interest in Revival.
It has got too busy over the last few years - to the point of it being unpleasant if you are only sticking to the main areas.
Only ever had a grandstand ticket once - and barely used it. I wanted to get out and see stuff rather than watch wat was coming past. It depends what you like.
Some people like the 'theatre' of it - I am not so keen.
I tend to get around the back at St Mary's and you can see some actual racing without all the pretence and all that guff.


motco

16,021 posts

248 months

Wednesday 8th May
quotequote all
No ideas for a name said:
patmahe said:
Hi All,

Attended the Festival of speed last year for the first time, enjoyed it no end and will be back but sadly not this year because of clashing obligations, considering going to the revival in September. Just wondering how it compares, is it a similar layout to the FOS just with older cars and people dress up, do you see more/less, is a grandstand ticket a must because there is actual racing rather than the hillclimb?

Would really appreciate the input of those who have attended both, which is your favourite?
Well, the two events are totaly different, and obviously in a different place, so no layout similarities.

It depends what you like - personally I have next to no interest in FoS, but lots of interest in Revival.
It has got too busy over the last few years - to the point of it being unpleasant if you are only sticking to the main areas.
Only ever had a grandstand ticket once - and barely used it. I wanted to get out and see stuff rather than watch wat was coming past. It depends what you like.
Some people like the 'theatre' of it - I am not so keen.
I tend to get around the back at St Mary's and you can see some actual racing without all the pretence and all that guff.
We've been a few times to the Revival, and once to the FoS. As has already been said, the two events are totally different. My abiding memory of my first visit to the Revival has nothing to do with cars, but seeing exquisite young women dressed just like my aunties used to when I was a young lad, and me now finding myself indecently attracted to what are still the image of my aunties! A real guilt trip! The whole atmosphere at the revival is one of the era of Biggles and 39 Steps Richard Hannay characters. Lots of chaps in military uniforms or racing overalls of the period too. You love it or you don't. I love it.

RustyMX5

7,600 posts

219 months

Wednesday 8th May
quotequote all
Revival - Cars of various vintages racing (properly racing too) around the Goodwood circuit whilst people dress up in stuff their grandparents wore 80 years ago. Whilst about 2 miles away is FoS - A celebration of cars with some racing up the driveway.

Personally I liked both. I found there was probably more to see as FoS but that the Revival was a more interesting day.

motco

16,021 posts

248 months

Wednesday 8th May
quotequote all
RustyMX5 said:
Revival - Cars of various vintages racing (properly racing too) around the Goodwood circuit whilst people dress up in stuff their grandparents wore 80 years ago. Whilst about 2 miles away is FoS - A celebration of cars with some racing up the driveway.

Personally I liked both. I found there was probably more to see as FoS but that the Revival was a more interesting day.
Before the clamp-down after the Shoreham crash the air display at the Revival was excellent. The era is 1948-1966

gt40steve

724 posts

106 months

Wednesday 8th May
quotequote all
motco said:
RustyMX5 said:
Revival - Cars of various vintages racing (properly racing too) around the Goodwood circuit whilst people dress up in stuff their grandparents wore 80 years ago. Whilst about 2 miles away is FoS - A celebration of cars with some racing up the driveway.

Personally I liked both. I found there was probably more to see as FoS but that the Revival was a more interesting day.
Before the clamp-down after the Shoreham crash the air display at the Revival was excellent. The era is 1948-1966
Absolutely correct, the circuit opened in 1948.
However WW2 'get up' is accepted as a nod to the circuit being located on a satellite station for RAF Tangmere. Wartime RAF uniform is popular plus land girls, etc. The Goodwood Actors Guild usually have one or two wartime spivs circulating in the crowd with a case of nylons and knicker elastic, like Private Walker in Dads Army.

As mentioned the air displays used to be brilliant. Planes in the sky several times every day.

The OP may find a look around the Goodwood website useful for further information. A grandstand is handy, but you can bring chairs. My standing days are over, I always have a grandstand seat.



Edited by gt40steve on Wednesday 8th May 20:55

marcosgt

11,034 posts

178 months

Thursday 9th May
quotequote all
I've been to the Revival once and the FOS a few times.

Watching the Revival on TV, I see the same cars I saw there 15 years ago, whereas the FOS has a few regulars, but there's something different to see every time.

If you like car racing, the Revival (or Member's meeting for a more eclectic and varied selection) is better than the FOS though, where the cars just basically drive up a road, often very sedately.

M

RustyMX5

7,600 posts

219 months

Thursday 9th May
quotequote all
marcosgt said:
I've been to the Revival once and the FOS a few times.

Watching the Revival on TV, I see the same cars I saw there 15 years ago, whereas the FOS has a few regulars, but there's something different to see every time.

If you like car racing, the Revival (or Member's meeting for a more eclectic and varied selection) is better than the FOS though, where the cars just basically drive up a road, often very sedately.

M
Unless it's Mike Whiddett who usually drives slowly but sideways in a cloud of tyre smoke. hehe

Common Porpoise

709 posts

172 months

Friday 10th May
quotequote all
Watching some of the revival highlights on YouTube is probably the easiest way to see what it's about...

https://youtu.be/tQvi54IIJV4?si=nSnDOBau-OBcDXjp

I think only Sunday tickets available now. Personally I would recommend a roving grandstand pass if you are actually interested in watching some races.

Trackside crowding is a problem unless you move away from the main show areas and paddocks.
Map from previous years can be found on Goodwood website which show the layout

https://www.goodwood.com/motorsport/goodwood-reviv...



patmahe

Original Poster:

5,778 posts

206 months

Friday 10th May
quotequote all
Thanks very much to all who answered, appreciate the feedback, if anything else occurs to you please feel free to pop back, but the plan is to go, Sunday is the only day that suits me anyway so those tickets being the only ones remaining is ok with me, hope to book shortly.

dogbucket

1,206 posts

203 months

Sunday 12th May
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I would add that although people take the dressing up to extreme levels of fancy dress, I would recommend trying to blend in to some extent as you will feel out of place otherwise.

mattdavies

255 posts

159 months

Friday 31st May
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dogbucket said:
I would add that although people take the dressing up to extreme levels of fancy dress, I would recommend trying to blend in to some extent as you will feel out of place otherwise.
This, there are other threads on this but in short its a Shirt,Tweed Jacket, Light Chinos, proper shoes and a flat cap.

In answer to your topic though, I go to revivial a lot, i prefer it to the one time i went to FoS. I like it for the atmosphere, i find it more relaxed and upbeat.

FIREBIRDC9

743 posts

139 months

Yesterday (10:51)
quotequote all
You cannot compare the two.

FOS is basically the Current form of the British Motorshow , its a showcase of new models where manufacturers bring their ranges along.
Focus is heavily shifting to electric in the years following the Pandemic and Manufacturer stands are a lot less impressive than they were 10 years ago as the industry is leaning more to online launches.

Action up the Hill is good , and there is a range of historic and current racing machinery.

Revival is nothing like that , Its focus is Pre-1966 and dressing in period (or at least close to it) is encouraged.

There are various themes that fit under that banner , You'll have people in military uniforms , People in Tweed , People wearing 1950's inspired Rock and Roll wear. Lots of displays and attractions around the track that fit the time period. Some compete for the Best Dressed title!

Live Rock and Roll bands , themed displays , all sorts of bits. (I personally love the American section!)

The Racing on track destroys any track action that FOS has to offer. Revival is on a different level simply for the fact that it is actual racing, let alone some of the machines you see on track are worth a very large amount of money!

There is also the Pre-66 Car Park
From memory you don't even need a ticket to explore this. If Classic cars are your thing , this is not to be missed!

I used to say FOS was my highlight of the year , but since the Pandemic Revival has taken the crown. Its more fun that FOS , and has more to offer for people where cars isn't the only focus!

I also 100% recommend Revival due to one of my best Petrolhead Memories occurred there.
In 2015 they had a Ferrari display in the earls court motor show building there.

Pretty much every mainstream high end Ferrari ever built , all in one room. 250 GTO , 288 GTO , Enzo to name a few.

I think i went through Puberty a second time by being in there.








Edited by FIREBIRDC9 on Monday 17th June 10:56