The premise behind the 72nd Goodwood Members' Meeting is so remarkably simple that it's amazing such an event hasn't happened sooner. Back when the Revival came to fruition in the late 90s, Goodwood was granted five race days a year. September's event only uses up three of those, so how better to utilise the extra two days than with even more classic motorsport?
This was noisy. Wonderfully noisy
There's still a Revival-esque feel to the proceedings, with formal dress encouraged and the same vintage graffiti adorning the walls. But the jolly policemen are absent, as are the jives and the period shops; this event really prioritises the motorsport over anything else.
But looking at the entry list that really isn't something to begrudge. Half a dozen Maserati 250Fs, a page of pre-war Bugattis, 80s turbo F1 cars, some of the greatest Le Mans racers and a field of classic touring cars promised a great day of racing.
The Le Mans and turbo F1 cars were restricted to 'high speed demonstration laps' which would have been fine except they sort of weren't. In both instances, half the field were circulating pretty quickly with the others ambling along quite a long way back. So far back that they were being caught up on the third lap. But given the prodigious power of all these cars, perhaps taking it easy was wise. And (nearly) all was forgotten on the sight of two Jaguar XJR/9s chasing down the F40 pace car (good choice) into the final chicane, with a Matra following close behind. Marvellous.
This race was as good as it looked
There were of course some great sights throughout the day; Jochen Mass in a 300 Gullwing, a pack of old F2 cars screaming their way round and Jaguars battling with Ferraris all day long.
But I was waiting around for the Gerry Marshall trophy, for Group 1 production saloons that raced between 1970 and 1982. Hopefully the image proffers a good idea of how brilliant the race was. Camaros traded places with Minis, a plethora of Capris took on the Rover SD1s and there were a few less common cars (Mazda RX-7, Alfa GTV6) just for good measure. It had noise, drama, speed, everything you would want from a touring car race.
But there's a drawback here. As the name obviously implies, the Members' Meeting is only for Goodwood Members. I was only able to tag along with Haymarket as an invited guest; though it was a great privilege to attend (and the smaller crowds were nice), it often felt like intruding a little on a club meet for exceptionally well-to-do patrons. It's a fantastic event if you're ever lucky enough, but the Revival is an even greater experience. Five months and 12 days to go...