Wylie & Sue Evans' UK Goodwood Revival Trip
Words & Pictures by Wylie Evans
Several years ago, I was given a video of the inaugural Revival meeting at Goodwood and after practically wearing it out with repeated viewing vowed that “one day…….”
So, by staying three weeks longer than originally planned on our visit this year to the U.K, Sue and I were able to join with some friends and realize the dream.
Motor racing at the Goodwood circuit started in 1948, using the perimeter taxiway of the WW2 airfield known then as R.A.F. Westhampnett. The first race meeting was held in 1948, featuring, among others, the nineteen year old Stirling Moss in a Cooper 500. Racing was discontinued in 1966 - a situation that remained for the following 32 years until the Earl of March reactivated the circuit with two annual events, the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Goodwood Revival.
The Revival is a huge event, featuring not only competition cars from the fifties and sixties, but historic aircraft and stalls selling all kinds of motoring accessories and memorabilia. Just one day isn’t long enough to see all that you would like and time has to be divided between watching the action on the circuit and a stroll through the “paddock” to drool over the assembled machinery. The flying displays by WW2 aircraft were spectacular, although no one has ever repeated the low pass down the start / finish straight made by the late Mark Hanna in a Spitfire at the first Revival meeting in 1998. It was below the level of the grandstand roof and is faithfully recorded on the video of that meeting.
Everyone is encouraged to look the part to add to the atmosphere and fifties / sixties outfits were worn by most - including the Evans’. Probably the only aspect of the occasion that isn’t replicated exactly is the chicane just before the pits. The concrete of the original has been replaced with polystyrene! A car park area is set aside for pre 1966 vehicles and, not unexpectedly, it is difficult to drag yourself through this on the way to the circuit, such is the variety of cars parked there.
All in all, a great experience, probably a once in a life time treat for these Kiwis, but something that I will certainly remember for a long time. Go there if you can!
