My wife and I just returned home after attending our first Goodwood event with a group from Team Shelby and Shelby American. We were there to celebrate Carroll Shelby's Centennial, and to participate in Goodwood's remembrance of the man, his legacy, and his cars.
We have attended numerous vintage racing events over the years: Monterey Historics, Watkins Glen, Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, the defunct Philadelphia Vintage Grand Prix, and even smaller events like the Coatesville Vintage Grand Prix. Having some experience with these events, and after years of watching Goodwood videos on line, I thought I had a good idea of what I would experience when I arrived at The Goodwood Revival…..I was entirely wrong, and in the best possible ways!
First off, Goodwood is much larger and spread out over more acreage than I had anticipated. I'm not just talking about the track, but the entire venue and carnival atmosphere that surrounds the racing circuit. Even with Goodwood's interactive map, it took us the entire first day to start to feel that we actually knew where everything was, and more importantly, how to get to where we wanted to go. Our first stop, after we navigated our way through the carpark (which was phenomenal in itself as we walked past McClarens, Aston Martins, a host of vintage English marques, and even a Lamborghini Muria) was the Salvadori Pavilion, which quite possibly is the most desirable and best situated area from which to view the track action and the legendary Goodwood chicane. Team Shelby had arranged for a private suite and all the amenities. You could get very close to the track and the view was superb. I spent most of the day photographing the racing action from this vantage point. I was amazed to see some of the actual legendary cars that I have been aware of for many years. I'm not talking 'generic' (as if any of these cars could be termed 'generic') GT40's, Cobras, or even GTO Ferraris, but very specific cars or chassis numbers. Cars such as the 1965 and 1966 LeMans winning GT40's, CSX2001, Snake Eyes, Bruce Lawsons Dragon Snake, Elvis “Spinout” Cobra, Daytona Coupe, Ferrari Bread Van, Shelby MGTC, a whole series of John Player Special cars, and that's just a few of the highlights. Oh, and motorcycles too. Can Am motorcycles!
That afternoon we explored more of Goodwood and started to get the overall lay of the land. If you have not been to Goodwood before, and you do go, you MUST get paddock access. Getting up close to the cars and talking with the drivers/mechanics is something that you cannot miss. Looking at the mechanicals of the cars as they are being worked on is like getting a glimpse behind the curtain at Emerald City in Oz. The 'insides' of these historic vehicles are as beautiful as the outsides, maybe even more so, if you have an appreciation for the engineering and its balance against the relative simplicity of their design. Wandering around a bit more brought us to a collection of vintage aircraft and military vehicles. While I would have loved to have heard a few of them start, or see them in the air, their static display was no less impressive. It being a very hot day, the shade cast on the grass by their wings, was filled with those looking for a momentary escape from the sun. Looking to find a respite ourselves, we ventured into what appeared to be a dimly lit old theater type building, thinking it might contain some historical photos or displays on the origins of Goodwood….wrong again. It was is if we had walked through a portal, as inside we found a stage and a live performance of what I can best describe as some sort of a mash-up of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and a Tolkien inspired acid trip. I'm still not exactly sure what we witnessed, but it did captivate us for a few minutes, and we did get a chance to cool off a bit.
Realizing there was so much more to see than we had anticipated, on day two we arrived at Goodwood very early. We were by no means the only people with this idea, as the car park was already filling up. Instead of returning to the Salvadori Pavilion, we went looking for other areas to explore. There was an entire Porsche Paddock to walk through (early 911/912 body styles almost as far as the eye could see), and even more paddock space if you walked all the past the small squadron of WWII Spitfire fighter planes. This last paddock area contained Carroll Shelby related vehicles and was part of the Shelby Centennial Celebration at Goodwood. More Cobras, including the purple metallic Dragon Snake, more GT40's, Aston Martin DBR's, 1967 GT500, and possibly the most unexpected car for me “Old Yeller”. With all the Shelby trivia that is in my head, I don't think I recalled that Carroll had driven “Old Yeller”. It put a smile on my face to see how relatively primitive and obviously hand built this car, and especially its body work, is.
Our group (Team Shelby) had arranged a private tour of the inner Paddock area to get a closer look at the cars with the most significance and provance, as well as to learn about the history of the Goodwood races. Aaron Shelby, grandson of Carroll Shelby, was walking with us and gave a unique insight into some of the vehicles and how they tied back into the Shelby legacy. Those who recognized Aaron were eager to shake his hand and share a recollection of his grandfather with him, and Aaron was gracious in spending a few minutes chatting with each of them. It's easy to see that “Ole Shell's” charm and charisma have been passed down in the family, and still brings as many smiles today as it did years ago.
While in the Paddock, the group was hastily gathered up and ushered to the false grid area. To those who weren't already wearing them, black cowboy hats were handed out as we moved en masse onto the track and up the start/finish line. Assembled behind us was a collection of not only Shelby marque vehicles (all variations of the Cobra, Daytona Coupe, GT40's, GT500, etc.) but specific makes/models of other vehicles that played a part in Shelby history. Cars such as Maserati, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Sunbeam Tiger, Lola, Cooper, AC. Front and center of them all was a tiny and fragile looking MGTC. That MG has the honor of being the very first car that Carroll ever raced, at his very first event, to score his very first win. Its interesting to think this car had only 54 horsepower, and today Shelby American regularly produces cars with over 1000 horsepower. We have come a long way, but the spirit and drive, some would say the DNA, still remains the same, and is as strong as ever.
When assembled on the track, we were addressed by the Duke of Richmond, who is the founder of the Goodwood Revival, and owner of the Goodwood Estate. He spoke about the impact Carroll had on racing and the automotive world, and told a few stories about Carroll's days in the armed forces. One of his favorites was the time Carroll dropped an old combat boot, containing love letters, out the window of his airplane. He timed his drop such that the boot landed in the farmers field that was tended by a young lady he was interested in. Carroll's own version of airmail I assume.
The lunch we selected for today was on the Richmond Green. We were seated right next to the 1950's style band and the dance floor. I would be remiss not to take a moment and talk about the dining options that are afforded you at Goodwood. You can get 'fast food' like pizza, burgers, even English Pasties, but you can also have some of the finest dining I have ever seen at a track. Gin pickled trout, Chilean Sea Bass on Risotto, beef cheek, warm scones with raspberry jam and clotted cream, and it seems every meal starts with a tall glass of Prosecco. No plastic forks nor paper plates either on “The Green”; silverware, china, and linen napkins were de rigueur.
After lunch we ended up in the grandstands on the exit side of the chicane. If you think the track action at Goodwood is a gentlemanly, albeit speedy, parade of vintage race cars, you are entirely incorrect. These cars are often times driven by 'hired guns' (former Le Mans drivers, current NASCAR drivers) who push these vehicles to the extent of their capabilities. We witnessed the locking of brakes on the battle for the best line into the chicane, many four wheel slides on the chicane exit, sometimes putting a wheel or two past the track apron and onto the grass, a few cars missing the turn entirely and taking the escape route, and even a few spins resulting in damaged bodywork and I'm sure equally damaged bank accounts and egos.
We waited until late afternoon for the Whitsun Trophy Race, which featured GT40's, Lola's, and 427 Cobras. These are the most powerful and fastest cars at the Revival. While we were rooting for the Shelby related entries, it can't be denied that the Lola's and McLaren's were blisteringly fast. By the third lap a group of three of them had pulled well away from the rest of the field. The barriers making up the chicane may have been clipped more than just once or twice during this race. It was fantastic to see these behemoth's scream around the track and push each other so aggressively, and in some instances, a little too aggressively.
After the race concluded, we started walking over to the field where the Spitfires were located. A few of them were going to perform an aerial demonstration as the sun was beginning to set, and we wanted to be close to them when they started up their engines. Along the way we stopped by a food truck to partake of English Pasties for a quick dinner. They were so much better than the traditional American track food of hamburgers/hot dogs or even chicken fingers. Two planes took off, and after a few fly-bys started doing loops, roll outs, and other aerobatic maneuvers. They kept a pretty tight formation throughout all of their program and flew for a longer period of time than I expected.
As if anything could distract us from the Spitfires, a purple Roll Royce SUV drove up in front of us, then a second one in a less boisterous color. Although we didn't plan it, or immediately realize it, we were standing right next to the entrance to the Duke's Dinner Gala. I assumed this would be held at his estate, but in fact, it was being hosted in a large tent right on the Revival grounds. The arriving guests seem to try to outdo each other by arriving in the most extravagant vehicles. Luxury transportation such as Bently's, and Maybach's became standard, only to try and be outdone by Military vehicles (I would not have been at all surprised if someone rolled up in a Chieftain Tank), and even a London double decker bus. Even more eye catching than the vehicles, were the guests themselves. To gain entrance to the Gala, you either needed to dress in Black Tie, or as your favorite science fiction character. I initially thought this was 'English humor' until Storm Troopers and Boba Fett walked by. Jedi were also well represented, as were those in Star Trek regalia. A guest covered from top to bottom in silver body paint and wearing a mask covering his entire head, looked very much like the alleged aliens from Area-51. He was to be outdone by an obviously cross-dressing individual. This gentleman stood at least 7 feet tall, wearing platform soled thigh-high red vinyl boots, a bustier, an elaborate headdress with horns, and little else except for other items that I can't describe in a PG-rated review.
Feeling that nothing could possibly top what we had just witnessed, and it was getting dark, we decided to call it a day and head out. As we exited the racetrack side of Goodwood, I mentioned that we had not walked over to the carnival side of the Revival. Even though I didn't think there would be much to see there, other than a few rides, I wanted to go take a quick look. My wife knew if we didn't walk over, I would forever wonder what we had missed, so she indulged my curiosity. Once again, Goodwood proved my expectations to be wrong.
As we entered the Carnival side, we noticed it was a much larger area than anticipated. We walked in past a full-size drive-in theater that was playing the movie Grease. Where the cars would normally park, were hundreds of people either sitting on blankets or singing and dancing along with the movie! Lots of food vendors and amusements seemed to stretch almost as far as we could see. The lights off the rides and concessions made the carnival atmosphere come alive. The centerpiece attraction, and a work of art in and of itself, was an old steam powered carousel. I've never even heard of steam powered rides before! Continuing to walk we found all the vendors that had seemed to be absent from the Thrive and Revive area on the racetrack side. I should have realized they were missing, and there were so many of them. Race inspired and vintage clothing, artwork, stringback driving gloves, books, memorabilia, automotive accessories, and even beautifully restored automobiles themselves. There were a pair of dress shoes with a black and silver bird-like pattern on them that caught my eye, but they were a little too avant-garde for my daily wardrobe. On the way back out Grease was still playing on the drive-in screen. John Travolta and Olivia-Newton John were looking very young and were still singing the classic songs from the movie. When the movie projectionist suddenly cut the music, the crowd continued to belt out the words. Goodwood knows how to throw a party.
Similar to the sudden stopping of the music, our time at Goodwood was sadly over. As we wandered through the car park in the dark, trying to find where we had left our rental Fiat, I asked my wife if she enjoyed our two days at the Revival. She said out of all the car related events I had dragged her to in the past 20 plus years (she did attend some willingly), Goodwood was the best event we had ever done. Pushing my luck, I asked her if she would come back and do it again. Without hesitation she said “absolutely”, and even in the dark I could see her smiling.
Guess we need to start planning our return trip….and working on our next set of vintage outfits.