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' 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!

My adventure began in June of 1984 when I purchased my first car, a 1968 Ford Mustang Coupe. I drove that car for 2 years and then it sat in my father's garage until 2006 when my wife, Val, and I decided to restore the car. The owner of the restoration shop, a Mustang enthusiast himself, turned into a lifelong friend. We have traveled to many cities across the US with him for Mustang Club of America shows. This car has MCA medallion and is a Pinnacle Award recipient.

Our travels introduced us to the dream of someday owning a Shelby. In 2010, the dream came true when we purchased a 2008 GT500KR that had never been titled. This original Black on Black KR has now been throughout the country and is close to earning its medallion.

Team Shelby ventured out this year past its California roots to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, as part of the Carroll Shelby Centennial. We stopped by Lance Miller's, home of the Carlisle Fairgrounds. The “community building” story and its Shelby connection is amazing.

In 1974, Bill and Chip Miller (no relation) founded Carlisle Events. Bill Miller and Chip (Lance's father) took his 1954 Corvette to a car show in Hershey Pennsylvania. Upon arriving, they stuck a “For Sale” sign on Chip's 20 year old Vette windshield and proceeded to wander the show. When they circled back to the car, they found a crowd had formed around the Vette and the was sign taken down. The show organizers felt the Corvette was too new for the show... and they were asked to leave.

It's a typical Monday morning in the Carroll Shelby Automotive Program at Northeast Texas Community College (NTCC). Young men and women in Shelby blue mechanic shirts animatedly share stories of their unforgettable trip to the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. A week earlier, 10 students from the program visited the headquarters of Shelby American, explored one of the world's largest automotive trade shows, and networked with top figures in the industry. That once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was just one of many made possible for these young people thanks to the vision of one extraordinary man — Carroll Shelby.