The say a picture is worth a thousand words but this one is almost beyond value, you could not buy these cars at any price, they are truly constructed of Unobtainium.  Ferrari 330 LMB (one of only four built) leads Ferrari 250 GT SWB "Breadvan", Ferrari 250 GTO and the poor relation a Jaguar E type "lowdrag coupe""…………this is the contents of the vault of an automotive Fort Knox and the treasures are being raced!

With the period setting in a glorious location, the serious competition and some of the most desirable cars in the world it can only be The Goodwood Revival.

The phrase "instant classic" is much over used but back in 1998 when the present Earl of March resurrected motorsport at the old Goodwood circuit, located within his family estate, it was almost the first expression on the lips of all those who attended. Some 50 years before, the 9th Duke of Richmond, the current Earl's grandfather, had successfully launched motor racing in post war Britain. This saw some 15,000 spectators turning up to Goodwood on 18 September 1948 to
support the UK’s first professionally-organised post-War motor racing
event.

Like many of the tracks of the time the circuit was based around an ex-military airfield, this one the Battle of Britain base, Westhampnett, which had been donated to the nation by the Duke as a contribution to the war effort. This explains the strong affinity with the Royal Air Force that exists within the Revival and Goodwood.

Motorsport in all forms continued from 1948 till the circuit's closure in 1966. The concept behind the Revival is go back in a giant time machine and recreate the past, so only cars from pre-1966 are allowed to compete, period dress for the participants and spectators is encouraged (no admittance to the Paddock without a jacket and tie for us chaps) and with fanantical attention to detail in every area to go back to the circuit as it was in its heyday.

What sets the Revival apart from events like Pebble Beach Concours or the Monterey Historics is that the cars, however valuable, are raced hard, and not just by the Gentlemen who own them. In the feature race, the Royal Automobile Club TT Celebration, there were 14 ex Formula One drivers taking part and amongst the field 20 overall wins of the Les Vingt Quatre Heures du Mans had been accumulated. These guys are racers. This competitve edge adds a real spice to the events on track with 15 races spaced out over three days in the beautiful West Sussex countryside.

One of the heroes of the original track, Roy Salvadori, uttered the immortal lines, "Give me Goodwood on a Summer's day and you can forget the rest of the World." And to be honest with fantastic Mid September weather walking round the track while action and displays went on around, it would be hard to disagree with his analysis, it does not get much better than that. A quick glance at the pictures will confirm that is a widely help belief. The crowd level was 124,000 over three days.

Of course with the period dress go period cultural references, here the girls of Glamcabs pay homage to the 1963 film "Carry on Cabby" and no don't bother to watch it, Lawrence of Arabia it was not.  No Oscars were won by Carry On films. And yet for those of us old enough to remember the time………and I just qualify I hasten to add. Last year I wrote

However, for those of us still living on these islands, the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s have
a great nostalgic appeal. Pride in the achievements and courage of the nation at
the time of “their Finest Hour” is enduring, Freed from the drab world of rationing
and shortages of every kind and regaining some of the national energy totally
drained in the struggle for survival during World War 2, the country burst forth with
creative forces and a sense of progress, both material and social. The "most of
our people have never had it so good" Fifties succeeded by the Swinging Sixties of
the Beatles and Carnaby Street, were times of optimism, a feeling that things
could only get better. Well, now we know better. As the song goes, "Meet the new
boss, same as the old boss", we will get fooled again.

The impulse to look back is a natural one, particularly as we advance along the
years. Which of us does not contemplate the past wondering what might have
been if different circumstances had prevailed? From there it is but a short step to
try and recreate the past, smoothing out some of the imperfections along the way.
Most do this as an exercise in the mind; a few are more ambitious……..which
brings us to the Goodwood Revival.

Today's headlines brings fresh disaster on the Financial Markets, another 5% loss, at this rate I will be working till I am 165……….

OK back to the weekend of dreams…………the Revival pays tribute to a significant racing figure each year, for 2008 it was Tony Brooks, the six time Grand Prix winner for Vanwall and Ferrari. Brooks, a spritely 77 years old, was a top line driver when the life expectancy was similar to that of a World War One fighter pilot, none at all really. In a series of parades composed of significant cars that he raced, the crowd paid its respects to one the greats of the late 50's, also over from Australia to show his friendship for Brooks was three time World Champion, Sir Jack Brabham. Sir Jack, in failing health, was guided round Goodwood by the National Treasure known as Sir Stirling Moss.

Sir Stirling, widely regarded as the greatest driver never to win an Formual One world championship, had just turned 79 the week before the Revival, you can see he has lost none of his touch as he bullies a 1952 Jaguar MkVII through the Woodcote Chicane. The car is owned by Rowan Atkinson who drove it in the second heat of the St Mary's Trophy.

The old saloons are a great favourite of the crowd and are pushing hard, here F1 TV Pundit, Tony Jardine goes grass cutting in his Austin A35. Each year the saloons alternate between the very 50's cars and the 60's when the big American cars had the ascendancy.

Of course it was the Swinging Sixties, so grid girls are very much part of the scene.

An early form of motoring sales promotion from the Coombes Garage of Guildford, though I believe that is not the original car.

As if proof were needed of how hard these guys were trying, look at Jochen Mass past the point of no return in the unique 1956 Lancia Ferrari D50A, this going to hurt…………..

Bang into the tyre wall and the car was pitched back on top of him, remember no roll bars or roll cages or seat belts………Jochen was a dazed but basically OK even though his helmet had come off in the impact. And before any of you write him off as on an old duffer,  he competed in over 100 Grand Prix, winning one. His endurance record is even more impressive with 34 major race wins including Le Mans in 1989, he drove for both the factory Porsche and Mercedes teams. So even the best can come unstuck while pushing hard and Goodwood punishes mistakes.

Another ex Grand Prix star in the races was Arturo Merzario, but his Fiat Abarth 600 was protesting at the pace inflicted on it, though it did finish.

At almost every angle there is something to enjoy……….the rolling hills of the South Downs and the cars streaking through the fields……………..

What would the day be without the Band of the Royal Marines……………..symbols are everywhere……………

Forever associated with Westhampnett, a Supermarine Spitfire, the evocative sound of the Merlin engine providing a unique background score. 

The packed crowd, largely in appropriate attire lapped it all up…………….

One of the few disappointments of the weekend was the technical problems that prevented the flypast of the Vulcan bomber but it was on with the show.

Lord March made a speech paying tribute to the "Goodwood Legends" to the crowd and another parade commemorated those who were no longer with us………

At this point Lady March presented those Legends present with a medal to mark the occasion and as a winner at the very first race meeting in 1948 who more deserving than Sir Stirling Moss? 

And who better to witness this honour than three time World Champion, Sir Jackie Stewart, his own career was truly lauched at Goodwook back in 1964.

Which brings us neatly back to grid girls……….actually no this is just for Antonio………….

No it back to the real reason we are all at the Revival, the cars and the racing……………..here the TT field blast off the line……….

How much is this lot worth? Lord knows, but a 250 GTO went at auction for £16.5 million not so long ago, so more money than I will ever see, lottery win or not. This is the 1961 "Breadvan"

More than words this shot sums up the spirit of the Revival, three abreast into Madgwick and yet maintaining control……….what's not to like?

Even if it means borrowing a tie, if you get a chance go.

-John Brooks