First time at Revival - A few thoughts

First time at Revival - A few thoughts

Author
Discussion

Snowman23

Original Poster:

254 posts

204 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
Afternoon all,

Yesterday was my first visit to the Revival, after 3 FOS, and a few Breakfast Clubs, and Sunday Services.

I absolutely loved it, the variety, atmosphere, and track action really set it apart from the FOS.

Some thoughts anyway

You really can't do it real justice in one day, I was skeptical of this before visiting
The racing was so competitive, I thought with the value of the cars it would be more tame
I WANT the number 2 Cobra from the TT, the noise that thing was making, he really was throwing it round like a cart
I also want a Ginetta G40, a Mark 2 Jag, and the Range Rover in Earls Court, which made the Discovery Sport look crass
The views were great, even without grandstand tickets
I loved the planes, both flying and to walk round. I would have like to seen the Dakota landing
The Lancs bought a tear to my eye, 2 members of my family were Bomber Command, and it must have been such a horrible job, sending all those young guys to their almost certain deaths

I've said on the dressing advice thread that I was slightly disappointed with the lack of effort from a lot of people, it might not be your thing, but come on, how hard is it to put a shirt, and trousers on?!

Finally, the day was complete on the road up to Petersfield, Cobra in front, Vanquish convertible behind, clearish roads, sun setting....perfect

9.3

1,133 posts

191 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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If this was Facebook, I'd give your post a “like" !

Wigeon Incognito

3,271 posts

217 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
Yes I've just got back after being there since Thursday and it was simply superb.

My only gripe from the whole weekend would be with the people who decided to set up camp with their folding chairs particularly in areas like Woodcotes. They take up the space of two or three standing spectators. I accept some i.e. the infirm need them but space is limited so when they've also set up chairs for children who couldn't care less, or leave their chair in situ whilst they go for lunch to reserve 'their' space that does get on my wick a little.

Matt.

TubbyNorman

214 posts

180 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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So become a marshal, great view, no-one in front of you, plenty of space and a free lunch. laugh

Before any crass comments come my way, I am, and was on the chicane all weekend.

Robert C

266 posts

179 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
Wigeon Incognito said:
Yes I've just got back after being there since Thursday and it was simply superb.

My only gripe from the whole weekend would be with the people who decided to set up camp with their folding chairs particularly in areas like Woodcotes. They take up the space of two or three standing spectators. I accept some i.e. the infirm need them but space is limited so when they've also set up chairs for children who couldn't care less, or leave their chair in situ whilst they go for lunch to reserve 'their' space that does get on my wick a little.

Matt.
+1

Robert C

266 posts

179 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
Wigeon Incognito said:
Yes I've just got back after being there since Thursday and it was simply superb.

My only gripe from the whole weekend would be with the people who decided to set up camp with their folding chairs particularly in areas like Woodcotes. They take up the space of two or three standing spectators. I accept some i.e. the infirm need them but space is limited so when they've also set up chairs for children who couldn't care less, or leave their chair in situ whilst they go for lunch to reserve 'their' space that does get on my wick a little.

Matt.
+1

Bob CD

245 posts

155 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
Hey Snowman23, really glad you enjoyed it. I'm a bit local, went to Goodwood first in the fifties, worked at the Revival, enjoyed the Revival and am immensely proud (is that the right word?) of what Lord March has done with the old track where I saw my first motor races in the county where I was born and live. (Seventy percent of my entire family - sons, nephews, great nephew, wife - were there on Saturday). But I just love to hear positive comments about the whole thing, and even though I've been to every Revival (I think) I still didn't really want to leave on Sunday evening (and even though I was back there this morning). So I'm so glad to hear your comments, and anyone else's.
Does anyone have any comment on the traffic, getting in, getting out? My experience was remarkable in comparison to years passed. Came in from Midhurst, past the racecourse, down the hill, usually queuing before the Kennels and but then all the way in quite quickly. Every evening, even though we left at around 7pm and I just could not believe that we drove up to the gate, through the gate, and home. Going down to Singleton, sometimes the road was clear. I just hope people didn't get clogged up in Midhurst.
I know that Goodwood made a big effort to ensure the traffic was flowing this year, and having just received a press release saying that the attendance was 148,000, to get everyone out onto the Sussex lanes as quickly as they did was an incredible achievement. I hope everyone else's experience was as good as mine.

Trophybloo

1,207 posts

186 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
@Bob CD - Having been a regular for the last 10 years this year, as it was the start of a series of 60th birthdays, 4 of us stayed at Bognor. 15 mins from leaving to parking and 10 mins later esconced at Madgwick. Same on all 3 days. Leaving the disabled car park A at 6.20 on Sunday we were home at 8.20 at Swanley. It was the best ever. The Hunter / Canberra flight was wonderful, the Lancs so evocative and the racing wonderful. Some gorgeous sites (with very nice chassis!) and the cars weren't bad either!
First upload of my pics (more following during the week) at

https://www.flickr.com/photos/74mex/sets/721576472...


jeremyc

23,335 posts

283 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
Wigeon Incognito said:
My only gripe from the whole weekend would be with the people who decided to set up camp with their folding chairs particularly in areas like Woodcotes. They take up the space of two or three standing spectators. I accept some i.e. the infirm need them but space is limited so when they've also set up chairs for children who couldn't care less, or leave their chair in situ whilst they go for lunch to reserve 'their' space that does get on my wick a little.
I'm amazed that more people don't head over to Fordwater/St Mary's and the run down to Lavant: there's a remarkable amount of space for as many folding chairs as you'd like to set up. biggrin

And I'll echo what everyone else has said: another remarkable, magical and memorable three days at Goodwood Revival. thumbup

PompeyM3

1,847 posts

204 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
Totally agree, it's a great event and you really do need more than one day to see it all now and even then you're bound to miss something !.

I always walk right round the circuit to get a change of view of the cars going around and to escape the crowds. You get a few people with chairs etc round the back of the circuit, but there is enough room out there, that it's not an issue.

A big pat on the back for Lord March and everyone at Goodwood for creating such an amazing event and that's not forgetting the drivers/riders/pilots that provide all the action for us all to enjoy.


kjs62

110 posts

114 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
Got back this afternoon- thoroughly enjoyed myself as usual - went past the front gate on way home at midday and sad to see the place being deconstructed for another year. When I got there Friday I wasn't that excited but by 8am the Goodwood magic had got hold of me again. I always walk out to Fordwater / St Marys for most of the day and there's loads of room. I think it may have been my best Revival yet - the weather probably helped a bit - anyway simply superb - then I hit M25 on way home and straight into a long queue - back to the 21st century with a bump!

Edited by kjs62 on Monday 15th September 21:22

Chicane-UK

3,861 posts

184 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
It was my first visit this weekend, and aside from my car spluttering to a stop and leaving me on the hard shoulder 150 miles from home, I had a fantastic time (8 hours to get home via the AA..) - the price you pay for taking a rarely used classic car on a sudden 400 mile round trip I suppose! frown

I can only echo many of your sentiments, OP. It was unlike ANYTHING I've ever been too before and had such a wonderful atmosphere. It's clear so much effort and enthusiasm has gone into making such a spectacle and I felt very happy to be there, and to be a part of it. I would love to go again and would love to spend a little more money on some of the VIP type access just to make it feel all the more special. As it was we only could stretch to roving grandstand access on Friday and general access for Saturday but there was still so much to see and do.

The racing was brilliant, the air displays bought a tear to my eye, the staff all very friendly, and even the general catering very reasonable quality (albeit rather pricey).

Honestly I can't imagine there's another event like it in the UK so I will definitely be going again in the future.

Snowman23

Original Poster:

254 posts

204 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
Bob CD said:
Hey Snowman23, really glad you enjoyed it. I'm a bit local, went to Goodwood first in the fifties, worked at the Revival, enjoyed the Revival and am immensely proud (is that the right word?) of what Lord March has done with the old track where I saw my first motor races in the county where I was born and live. (Seventy percent of my entire family - sons, nephews, great nephew, wife - were there on Saturday). But I just love to hear positive comments about the whole thing, and even though I've been to every Revival (I think) I still didn't really want to leave on Sunday evening (and even though I was back there this morning). So I'm so glad to hear your comments, and anyone else's.
Does anyone have any comment on the traffic, getting in, getting out? My experience was remarkable in comparison to years passed. Came in from Midhurst, past the racecourse, down the hill, usually queuing before the Kennels and but then all the way in quite quickly. Every evening, even though we left at around 7pm and I just could not believe that we drove up to the gate, through the gate, and home. Going down to Singleton, sometimes the road was clear. I just hope people didn't get clogged up in Midhurst.
I know that Goodwood made a big effort to ensure the traffic was flowing this year, and having just received a press release saying that the attendance was 148,000, to get everyone out onto the Sussex lanes as quickly as they did was an incredible achievement. I hope everyone else's experience was as good as mine.
Thanks Bob, I think you're right to feel proud. I've been nothing less than immensely impressed with every Goodwood experience I've had. I think the amount of French and German voices I heard are testament to the event

The family aspect was really nice, I hope the 70% loved it, and the remaining 30% were jealous

On the traffic, I came in early from Worthing, and queued a little off the A27, but got in quickly. I was really impressed leaving, great planning. My own lack meant that I stupidly tried the A27 westbound ( I live in the North West), before realising the error of my ways, and cutting cross country

Ian Wegg

647 posts

139 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
Bob CD said:
Does anyone have any comment on the traffic, getting in, getting out? My experience was remarkable in comparison to years passed. Came in from Midhurst, past the racecourse, down the hill, usually queuing before the Kennels and but then all the way in quite quickly. Every evening, even though we left at around 7pm and I just could not believe that we drove up to the gate, through the gate, and home. Going down to Singleton, sometimes the road was clear. I just hope people didn't get clogged up in Midhurst.
Yep, same here. We did the Midhurst route Friday and Sunday, some queuing on Sunday morning (we didn't arrive until 9:00am) but straight out and on the road both evenings.

~iw

Spare tyre

9,457 posts

129 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
I usually goto leman with a regular core of 12 people, then there are a few extras each year etc

four of this core from le mans went to the revival in the big camper we take to le mans

sadly we started to discuss whether the le mans trips are actually really worthwhile, goodwood for us is just a good socail event as le mans is

Time will tell whether we stop going to Le mans (classic and normal) in the future in favour of the revival


It really is something to witness

The only thing that did piss me off was the cretins working behind the bars, dont think they'd really had any training - three people to serve you one drink, very bizzare and an excellent way to waste 30 mins in a queue if you mis judge it!

srob

11,566 posts

237 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
I've been to a fair few Revivals (think the second one was my first) but this year I took my fiance. It was her first visit, but (even though she's in her 20s) she loves the fifties and earlier so I thought she'd like it.

We spend a lot of time at old motorcycle events and riding about on them, so I was sure she'd enjoy it, but I wasn't prepared for how much she absolutely loved it! I was worried that with it being so much busier now a newbie might see it in a different light to someone who's seen an increase on each visit, but if anything she preferred the crowds so she cuold people watch even more!

She's already deciding what to wear next year, and that we need to have the Monday off work too so we don't have to leave early on the Sunday.

Hats off to Lord March and all those who make it happen. I know some people will always whinge and moan about everything anyone ever organises, but on the off chance any of them read this just rest assured that once again, it was sublime smile

flyboyben

117 posts

174 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
This was my first Revival and won't be the last!. Me and my mate set off from Aberdeen first thing on Friday morning and arrived about 5pm. The drive was great but slowed up as we approached Winchester. As we approached the Goodwood area we were meeting cars coming the other way who were leaving the festival. What an array of machinery, both historic and modern exotic! That was a great appetiser for the rest of the weekend.

We had camping passes and set up camp before heading over to 'Over the Road' to get a taste of the atmosphere (and a taste of Doom Bar!). By the end of the evening we had already decided that we were coming back and that was before we had seen any racing.

The racing throughout the weekend was spectacular. Seeing these priceless cars being raced as if their value was irrelevant was amazing and refreshing. The off track activities and entertainment was also fantastic and seeing the WW2 tribute which included the BBMF and the two Lancasters was very special.

Hats off to the organisers. We had no real issues during our visit except maybe for having to queue for the gents toilets around the site. We left on Sunday about 5pm for the long drive North and got stuck on the M25 for ages. That took us by surprise for a Sunday evening.



ecsrobin

17,019 posts

164 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
Spare tyre said:
The only thing that did piss me off was the hard working guys behind the bars, dont think they'd really had any training - three people to serve you one drink, very bizzare and an excellent way to waste 30 mins in a queue if you mis judge it!
Edited it for you wink certainly in the GRRC enclosure there was 1 lad that had clearly never been shown how to pour a pint. However I had a good conversation with a lad and girl Sunday afternoon and they really did enjoy working at Goodwood and have been for a few years. Was quite impressed to hear the girl say I love working the revival it's my favourite event. Considering the long hours and no doubt average money I think the vast majority of them do a great job and are a credit to Goodwood to be able to get good temporary staff.

I've been to so many shows where staff are a mess, don't have a clue or show a lack of interest in their job.