Members meeting first time - advice
Discussion
Thanks to the OP for this thread and everyone's input. I have attended many Goodwood events over the years (from 1999 onwards) and this is my first time at the MM. It seems to be similar to the Revival in terms or racing and atmosphere etc before the huge surge in popularity and attendees which suits me down to the ground.
Regarding dress code, I have been debating whether to fully commit to period dress or be more cautious (without sticking out) due to the potential cold weather. I do my best to dress period at the Revival to keep in spirit of the event, however the last few years have been bitterly cold, particularly in the evenings.
Judging by people's replies on here, the best thing to do would be to make an effort to dress up, but also take ample thermals, coats and gloves just in case.
Regarding dress code, I have been debating whether to fully commit to period dress or be more cautious (without sticking out) due to the potential cold weather. I do my best to dress period at the Revival to keep in spirit of the event, however the last few years have been bitterly cold, particularly in the evenings.
Judging by people's replies on here, the best thing to do would be to make an effort to dress up, but also take ample thermals, coats and gloves just in case.
Just to be clear, the Members Meeting is not a pre-1966 event like the Revival. The dress code is smart but not period.
See the "What is the Dress Code?" section at Members Meeting FAQ
"As with any exclusive club, the GRRC Members’ Meeting is intended to be both stylish and relaxed, an informal yet smart event. Gentlemen will be encouraged to wear jackets and either a tie, cravat or polo-necked sweater at the event. Ladies are also encouraged to wear smart clothing.
Blue jeans, t-shirts, low cut or revealing tops, shorts, short skirts, flip-flops, sportswear, baseball caps and heavily branded clothing are strongly discouraged, as are costume or fancy dress.
As it is an open air event, comfortable shoes and casual clothing is best. Always bring some wet weather clothing as the British weather can be unpredictable!"
See the "What is the Dress Code?" section at Members Meeting FAQ
"As with any exclusive club, the GRRC Members’ Meeting is intended to be both stylish and relaxed, an informal yet smart event. Gentlemen will be encouraged to wear jackets and either a tie, cravat or polo-necked sweater at the event. Ladies are also encouraged to wear smart clothing.
Blue jeans, t-shirts, low cut or revealing tops, shorts, short skirts, flip-flops, sportswear, baseball caps and heavily branded clothing are strongly discouraged, as are costume or fancy dress.
As it is an open air event, comfortable shoes and casual clothing is best. Always bring some wet weather clothing as the British weather can be unpredictable!"
T3LLIOTT said:
Regarding dress code, I have been debating whether to fully commit to period dress or be more cautious (without sticking out) due to the potential cold weather.
As Ian said, if you dress in period clothing you WILL stick out. It's a race meeting in March and cold. if I could sum up I'd say people dress like they would for the enclosure at horse racing. 
coppice said:
At £120 I shall dress just as I please your Lordship- which probably replicates what I wore in late 60s anyway .
When you compare the prices to a game of football or a music festival you soon realise Motorsport is very reasonable, even a trip to a theme park these days can easily see someone spend more than a day at the members meeting. It is on the high end actually - stuff like BTCC is £30 a day - but I am sure is worth it. But as I wore ..ahem..'blue jeans ' in the Sixties and most people who wore cravats were playing cads in films I really do not understand what sort of ersatz past is trying to be recreated . The same one as in Heartbeat ?
coppice said:
It is on the high end actually - stuff like BTCC is £30 a day - but I am sure is worth it. But as I wore ..ahem..'blue jeans ' in the Sixties and most people who wore cravats were playing cads in films I really do not understand what sort of ersatz past is trying to be recreated . The same one as in Heartbeat ?
Re read the post, I was stating Motorsport vs other comparative pastimes. I physically can't watch BTCC I don't know what it is but I'd rather watch paint dry. 
moaning about a dress code when there is NO dress code. Only on Pistonheads!'Blue jeans are strongly discouraged' says the website, which sounds pretty close to a dress code to me . BTCC ? Load of old tut , frankly, I included it only as a comparator; I prefer HSCC stuff , and general club racing .
I am greatly looking forward to MM and don't think it is overpriced either-I just raise an eyebrow that whilst Goodwood has something approximating to a dress code a pretty top end place like the Royal Opera House doesn't , let alone any motorsport venue I have ever been to, apart from the Revival...
I am greatly looking forward to MM and don't think it is overpriced either-I just raise an eyebrow that whilst Goodwood has something approximating to a dress code a pretty top end place like the Royal Opera House doesn't , let alone any motorsport venue I have ever been to, apart from the Revival...
coppice said:
'Blue jeans are strongly discouraged' says the website, which sounds pretty close to a dress code to me . BTCC ? Load of old tut , frankly, I included it only as a comparator; I prefer HSCC stuff , and general club racing .
I am greatly looking forward to MM and don't think it is overpriced either-I just raise an eyebrow that whilst Goodwood has something approximating to a dress code a pretty top end place like the Royal Opera House doesn't , let alone any motorsport venue I have ever been to, apart from the Revival...
Yes but you miss the point, the dress code is not because it's a motorsport venue but bevause it is a club.I am greatly looking forward to MM and don't think it is overpriced either-I just raise an eyebrow that whilst Goodwood has something approximating to a dress code a pretty top end place like the Royal Opera House doesn't , let alone any motorsport venue I have ever been to, apart from the Revival...
Frankly it's all part of the fun in my view.
coppice said:
'Blue jeans are strongly discouraged' says the website, which sounds pretty close to a dress code to me . BTCC ? Load of old tut , frankly, I included it only as a comparator; I prefer HSCC stuff , and general club racing .
I am greatly looking forward to MM and don't think it is overpriced either-I just raise an eyebrow that whilst Goodwood has something approximating to a dress code a pretty top end place like the Royal Opera House doesn't , let alone any motorsport venue I have ever been to, apart from the Revival...
It's their venue they can do as they choose. Likewise royal ascot has a dress code, again because it's their venue. You're not forced to do it, it just says encouraged. I am greatly looking forward to MM and don't think it is overpriced either-I just raise an eyebrow that whilst Goodwood has something approximating to a dress code a pretty top end place like the Royal Opera House doesn't , let alone any motorsport venue I have ever been to, apart from the Revival...
ecsrobin said:
It's their venue they can do as they choose. Likewise royal ascot has a dress code, again because it's their venue. You're not forced to do it, it just says encouraged.
I like the dress code at Goodwood, because it all adds to the appeal. If everybody was dressed for the high street or in team gear the atmosphere would not be the same. Go to one of the other well attended events at the track to feel the difference. They are still fun, but not in the same way.Ed
First time attendee this year and looking forward to it. Taking the old man with me, who seems thrilled to be going. Really looking forward to some terrific cars, great racing an a pleasant atmosphere, with like minded folks. Having been to the FOS and Revival a number of times. I'm quite looking forward to a less manic environmental.
In terms of dress, I shall wear shirt, 'smart / casual' trousers, probably a sweater and comfy, warm shoes. Probably won't wear a jacket or a tie, might wear a cravat. Most concerned about wearing something comfortable that'll keep me warm, to be honest!
In terms of dress, I shall wear shirt, 'smart / casual' trousers, probably a sweater and comfy, warm shoes. Probably won't wear a jacket or a tie, might wear a cravat. Most concerned about wearing something comfortable that'll keep me warm, to be honest!
bockaaarck said:
First time attendee this year and looking forward to it. Taking the old man with me, who seems thrilled to be going. Really looking forward to some terrific cars, great racing an a pleasant atmosphere, with like minded folks. Having been to the FOS and Revival a number of times. I'm quite looking forward to a less manic environmental.
In terms of dress, I shall wear shirt, 'smart / casual' trousers, probably a sweater and comfy, warm shoes. Probably won't wear a jacket or a tie, might wear a cravat. Most concerned about wearing something comfortable that'll keep me warm, to be honest!
If you want to stay warm then thermals are a must! In terms of dress, I shall wear shirt, 'smart / casual' trousers, probably a sweater and comfy, warm shoes. Probably won't wear a jacket or a tie, might wear a cravat. Most concerned about wearing something comfortable that'll keep me warm, to be honest!
RichB said:
ecsrobin said:
If you want to stay warm then thermals are a must!
Amazingly at the first MM I can remember sitting outside the Shell building having a cold beer. I foolishly thought mid-March would always be like that! 
Going back to MM, having attended the sunny one a few years back. Will be putting my long johns on I think. I'm sure I went in jeans last time and did not feel out of place, but most of my time was roaming around the track watching the racing, I'm not fussed about the bonhomie atmosphere. Goodwood is a much nicer place to be without the mad crush of revival, and I've given up on FoS as you just can't get to see anything any more it's that busy. Looking forward to it after a disappointing visit to Silverstone Classic, because I made the mistake of taking the wife and kids, I hardly got to watch any racing. A previous poster asked about taking kids? IMO Don't do it, they will be bored s
tless and cold by 1pm, regardless of how much they like cars, and you'll spend so much time dealing with them you won't enjoy it yourself. My kids are really well behaved and weren't a pain but they were clearly bored at watching and looking at cars.
tless and cold by 1pm, regardless of how much they like cars, and you'll spend so much time dealing with them you won't enjoy it yourself. My kids are really well behaved and weren't a pain but they were clearly bored at watching and looking at cars.Make sure you have a good nosey around the paddock, there are some fascinating cars around that you can get right up close to. Somehow I missed the Edwardian cars last year so I’ll be making a concerted effort to seek them out this time – it was certainly the most enjoyable race IMO. Proper lunatic stuff.
Dress-wise, main advice is to stay warm. I drove down in the Westfield last year (no roof, screen or heater) so already had thermals, hat, scarf, gloves etc and wore walking boots and jeans. I was definitely at the more scruffy end of the spectrum but never felt out of place and no-one ‘looked down’ at me. This year I’ll be in similar attire (it really is bloody freezing!) but I do at least have a heavy wax jacket that is slightly more respectable.
Definitely take time to walk around the circuit if the kids’ legs are up to it. Just don’t make the mistake I did last time and walk clockwise – you’ll be constantly looking over your shoulder as the cars come up behind you
Dress-wise, main advice is to stay warm. I drove down in the Westfield last year (no roof, screen or heater) so already had thermals, hat, scarf, gloves etc and wore walking boots and jeans. I was definitely at the more scruffy end of the spectrum but never felt out of place and no-one ‘looked down’ at me. This year I’ll be in similar attire (it really is bloody freezing!) but I do at least have a heavy wax jacket that is slightly more respectable.
Definitely take time to walk around the circuit if the kids’ legs are up to it. Just don’t make the mistake I did last time and walk clockwise – you’ll be constantly looking over your shoulder as the cars come up behind you
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