Photo: Keith Booker
Phil Hill was the honored guest at the Goodwood Circuit Revival Meeting held September 1–3. The 1961 World Drivers Champion and three-time Le Mans winner took part in a parade of cars from his career, including an MG TC and a Chaparral 2F, respectively representing his very first race in 1948 and his last race in 1967. Fittingly, he won both. Clearly enjoying the experience immensely, Hill couldn’t resist driving with his son, Derek, around the track. The icing on the cake for the Hill family came when Derek Hill dominated the Freddie March Memorial Trophy race in Lawrence Auriana’s glorious 1953 Alfa Romeo 3000CM, one of the cars raced most recently in historic events by his father.
Goodwood’s ninth-running of the Revival was once again a “magical step back in time,” bringing a chance for the 110,000 weekend visitors to revel in the romance of motor racing as it used to be. The lovingly restored circuit is unchanged from its 1948–1966 heyday and great lengths have been taken to ensure that everything on the site is as near to original as possible. Those who remember the “Scalextric” slot racing sets of the 1950/1960s will instantly recognize the track buildings at Goodwood, as “Scalextric” were made nearby and went to their local circuit for inspiration. Many enter into the spirit of the occasion by dressing as race-goers might have done in the 1948–1966 period, although it has to be said that a few take this to extremes! What cannot be denied is that everyone makes an effort to be that little bit more considerate and polite. Add sensational racing into the mix and you have an unbeatable weekend.
Whereas July’s Goodwood Festival of Speed majors on reuniting drivers of the past with the cars that made them famous, the Goodwood Revival likes to spring surprises. Derek Bell shared a Jaguar E-type in the RAC TT Celebration sports car race and was victorious in the sedan event in a Jaguar Mk1. He was delighted to win again at Goodwood, his local circuit, where he first tasted success more than 40 years ago. Le Mans winners clearly never stop racing, as among others were Richard Attwood (BRM P261, Aston Martin DB4 GT, Aston Martin DB3 and 1959 Standard Vanguard), Jochen Mass (superb in a Lancia D50A, Lancia D24 and Corvette Sting Ray), Jackie Oliver (1958 Austin A35 and Jaguar E-type lightweight) and Johnny Herbert (mighty in an Austin Healey 100S).
Photo: Keith Booker
The 1980 World Champion, Alan Jones found himself behind the wheel of a 1956 BMW 502 V-8 and a Corvette Sting Ray. Bobby Rahal gave a strong performance all weekend in a Brabham-Climax BT11 (finishing 2nd), as well as a Jaguar E-type and Mk1. Ferrari star, Patrick Tambay ran a 246 Dino and 250 SWB and, at various times, Brian Redman found himself in a Vanwall, AC Cobra and a Hillman Minx sedan. Australian star, Peter Brock had a 1953 Holden FX. Tragically, this was to prove to be his last race as he was to lose his life in Australia while competing in a rally just a few days later. The Red Bull Formula 1 team was out in force, with team boss Christian Horner paired in an AC Cobra with team driver Christian Klien. Red Bull’s designer Adrian Newey suffered a big accident in qualifying, as did Dario Franchitti (both in Jaguar “E” lightweights), fortunately without serious injury to either. Sir Stirling Moss shared Rowan Atkinson’s Jaguar Mk7 and also raced an Austin Healey Sebring Sprite. Sir Stirling opted to withdraw his entry in the Ferguson Project 99 as he could not get comfortable in the car, handing over to the irrepressible Barrie “Whizzo” Williams who pulled the car up from 23rd place on the grid to 3rd at the finish. The “Driver of the Meeting” award went to Gary Pearson who enjoyed wins in a Jaguar D-type and BRM P25. The fastest lap of the weekend (1m 24.25 seconds, 102.55 mph) was recorded in the last race by Simon Hadfield in Marc Devis’s Elva-BMW Mk 8.
Goodwood circuit is essentially made up of the perimeter roads around what was once RAF Westhampnett aerodrome, from where Spitfires flew in the Battle of Britain. Fittingly, no less than eight Spitfire aircraft took to the skies over the Goodwood Revival celebrations, adding greatly to the sense of occasion. Ace Spitfire pilot, Ray Hanna, who had demonstrated his Spitfire to great effect at all previous Revivals, passed away last December and in tribute his Spitfire was moved under power along the start/finish straight, preceded by a brass band.
It’s always good when a contemporary racer makes his Revival debut. Le Mans series regular Jean-Marc Gounon was a late entry and qualified an Aston Martin DBR1 out of session. Starting from the back of the grid, in the Sussex Trophy race, he carved his way through to a worthy 2nd place, only narrowly missing out on victory. He also put on a charging display in a Ferrari 250GTO/64. Gounon was delighted with his drives and the crowd’s rousing cheers. He promised to return next year if his schedule permits.
by Keith Booker
