Photos of the 2024 Goodwood Revival Race
The 2024 Goodwood Revival has some wet weather, even by English standards. Even so, spectators dressed up in period clothing and racers went all out in classic cars.
The Settrington Cup is an adorable race for kids, but like the other fields at Revival, it isn't open to just any old car. Participants must have an unmodified Austin J40 pedal car, and they go through scrutinizing to check before the Le Mans–style start.
The original races at Goodwood weren't usually two-wheels, but at revival, the Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy celebrates motorbikes up to 1954. Watching them run through the extreme weather was an incredible demonstration of bravery.
F1 technical director Adrian Newey has been in the news recently for his upcoming switch from Red Bull to Aston Martin, but at Goodwood he's known for driving his own classics, which are blueprinted and tuned to such a high level that there are jokes in the paddock about what black magic he's using. He raced several cars, including this gorgeous GT40, but even Newey's tech and driving prowess couldn't keep it out of the gravel trap when the rain really started.
How anyone in a white mechanic's suit managed to keep it clean during the downpour is a mystery to me.
Cortina? Alfa? Galaxie? Mini? Pick your fighter.
There are other vintage race events, but nothing commits to the bit like Revival.
Did we mention it rained?
I have no idea how these drivers could see anything, let alone keep the cars on track.
Michael Peet wings a 1954 Maserati 250F through the chicane and onto the straightaway.
Away from the track, Revival stays in character, and offers other amusements.
This is not a car in the paddock. It is not a special display. This is a car in the parking lot.
Mudstang.
Someone partied a bit hard the night before?
On even a brief walk through the parking area, you'll see cars you would never imagine leave the garage on a rainy day. At one point I started counting E-Types but gave up after 17, because there was another one everywhere I looked.
Goodwood marked the 80-th anniversary of D-Day with a military parade around the track. These vehicles might have been the best-equipped for the wet and gravely surface, but they were not the quickest.
This is a conservative race line.
The Americans represented with 'Vettes, Cobras, GT40s, Galaxies, and even a few Barracudas.
Officials, photographers, and of course spectators, everyone dresses up.
This is a more aggressive line on to the straight.
Oops.
The big guns, like this '63 Galaxie, come out for the St Mary's Trophy.
Jimmie Johnson makes use of his stock-car muscles in Gregor Fisken's Galaxie.
I attended the event thanks to Subaru, which had us commute to the track in style, although not in period-correct aircraft.
How to do convertible in England.
The helicopters may have been out of character, but the shuttle from the airfield to the track was not.
Fellow journalist Tim Stevens wore his grandfather's uniform, and fit right in.
It's possible I had a bit of a thing for these big Fords.
While modern modifications are frowned upon, the cars racing are definitely not stock. The idle of this Plymouth was like nothing that ever left a Detroit dealership.
No matter how fancy the badge, someone is lying in a puddle for it.
Oh look, it's the Andrews Sisters.
Some cars have more room for mechanics than others.
Professional racers rearrange their schedules just to get a chance at an unpaid driving gig at Goodwood.
A small off in practice meant the #46 team had bodywork to do to get the car ready for the Saturday race. Johnson and Franchitti did their part, and brought the Aston home in the lead.
Just an idea of how much is going on during Revival.
The view from inside a GT40 heading out on track.
Chris Smith, tech and mechanic for Ford Heritage UK gave me a ride around the track in the 1968 Mk III GT40. The MK III was intended to be the "street" version. Only seven were built.
Note the extended tail on the Mk III. You know, for cargo space.
If you match the car, you get to take it home.
You know, they did have photography by the 20th century.
Jimmie Johnson takes the Cobra out of the frame.
Dario Franchitti takes his Cobra into the frame.
Franchitti in the Royal Automobile Club TT. This could be co-driver Andrew Smith as well. There was a driver change.
The sun came out midday for a few races.
Johnson waves to the crowd after the TT finish.
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