The 78th Members Meeting at Goodwood, West Sussex, was one I have waited a long time for. It was originally scheduled for April 2020 but postponed due to the Covid pandemic and delayed further for this year until a mid October date. It features a wonderful collection of historic racing cars for some amazing races, plus some demos and static displays to add to the mouth-watering experience.
I was very lucky to have access to a ticket for the Sunday, which turned out to be the best day weather wise and the day more than lived up to my expectations.
Wandering around the paddock ahead of the race action, there were great sights at every turn and so much history that you simply couldn’t absorb it all.
The Arundell Cup for rear-engined Historic Formula Junior cars was the first race of the day, with a full grid and many close battles throughout. It was eventually won by Andrew Hibberd, who managed to make his way through from a back of the grid start to secure victory.
Next up was the Hailwood Trophy race for Motorcycles, two stroke & 250 or 350cc grand Prix machines originally race between 1970 and 1983. This 20min race featured a very entertaining squabble for the lead throughout, with 4 bikes initially involved and a very close finish as BSB star James Hillier emerged victorious.
The Don Parker trophy race brought out a magnificent grid of post war 500cc Formula 3 cars, these being motorbike engined and chain driven with solid rear axles. A wide variety of designs were visible across the grid, with gradual evolution evident from the immediate post war cars through to the Cooper involvement plus independent designs.
The race action progressed through the day, with many wonderful machines taking to the track as full grids graced each race. There were many highlights, but two particularly stood out: the last two races.
The SF Edge Trophy race was for Edwardian Specials of the type that raced up to 1923, with several of these old machines really looking like they shouldn’t be raced. The drivers of these are best described as gladiators, safety considerations that we take for granted nowadays were simply not thought about or considered when these cars were built. An amazing 4 lap race consisted of a 4 car squabble for the lead, from which Hughie Walker looked to have made the decisive move by taking the lead around the outside at Woodcote (in one of these cars ! ) on the last lap and led into the Chicane. However, he was outgunned by the extra horsepower of the 1909 Blitzen Benz of Ben Collings on the run to the flag.
Then we came to the last race of the day, indeed of the weekend, and the much anticipated Gerry Marshall Trophy race for Group 1 Saloon Cars that raced between 1970 and 1982. Having had two very exciting Heats on Saturday afternoon, the top 15 from each Heat comprised the grid for this Final and you could feel the sense of excitement and anticipation around the Circuit. Current BTCC star Jake Hill led away from the start in Ric Wood Motorsports’ Ford Capri, hounded by regular Historic racer Craig Davies in his Ford Mustang Boss 302. This duo were soon clear of the chasing pack and embroiled in a thrilling battle at the front. The Mustang had the grunt in a straight line, but the Capri was better into and around the corners and real cat and mouse dice ensued with the Capri narrowly holding sway. Davies managed to get ahead about two thirds of the way through the race, but Hill exited Fordwater on a tighter line on the next lap and squeezed up the inside on the run into St Mary’s where Davies ran wide onto the grass. His 2nd excursion at the same point a couple of laps later resulted in contact with the tyre barriers and he dropped to 4th by the end after resuming. Hill therefore ran out the victor, having danced the Capri around with a fine mixture of late braking and opposite lock. I was lucky enough to have been spectating at the first part of St Mary’s for most of this race and the spectacle of these cars drifting into the corner was well worth the walk to get out to that spot and back again. What’s that about saving the best until last ? I was still ‘buzzing’ a week later !!!!!
I must conclude by saying a really grateful Thank You to my great friend ( he knows who I am referring to) who supplied my ticket. On race days at Goodwood, either for the MM or the Revival, I really am like a ‘kid in a sweetshop’ - always plenty to see and drool over, whilst the racing is absolutely incredible.
A full album of images from this raceday is viewable by clicking on Albums, then on Motorsport Albums and going to the relevant meeting. Prints etc can be purchased by emailing me and advising me the image ref number.
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