Goodwood Revival - a step back in time

Oct 1 2009 Harriet Ridley

Goodwood Revival - a step back in time

FORGET British Superbikes, World Superbikes and even MotoGP. Nothing compares to watching today's racing stars battle it out with yesterday's heroes. The likes of Leon Haslam, Steve Brogan, Michael Rutter, Troy Corser and Jamie Whitham racing Wayne Gardner, Ian Simpson, Mick Grant and Trevor Nation. Imagine the thrill!

And that's exactly the spectacle I was treated to at the Goodwood Revival - the UK's best motorsport party.

The event relives the golden age of racing from 1948 to 1966, the heyday of the Goodwood circuit. Organisers pay exceptional attention to detail in creating an authentic setting and spectators and racers are encouraged to wear clothing from that era.

This year an estimated 120,000 spectators turned up throughout the weekend, most of them in period costume. No modern vehicles were allowed in the circuit grounds; all you could see were acres dedicated to beautifully restored classic cars and motorcycles.

The motorcycles had their own paddock, with mechanics dressed in authentic 1950s attire and riders in black leather. Spectators perused the bikes and mingled with the racing heroes, who were having the time of their lives battling it out on stunning classic machinery. The bikes included Italian exotica such as the MV Agusta 500/3 and British machines including the Matchless G50 and Manx Norton 500.

Officially the competitors were taking part in a parade. But you can't get any racers - let alone of that calibre - out on a track together without it turning into a proper ding-dong. Friday saw qualifying with racing on Saturday and Sunday. Before heading out on track for Friday's first practice, the racers were briefed to take it easy as it was 'just a bit of fun'. Needless to say, within three corners the usual suspect, Jamie Whitham, highsided spectacularly in front of a bemused crowd!

The Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy races turned out to be a real battle of former champions versus modern-day racers; a true clash of the generations.

Both races kicked off with a Le Mans start. Standing at the final chicane, I watched amazed as the top riders mounted the kerbs on the exit of the corner to fire their machines down the straight. Haslam looked super-stylish on board his Matchless G50, getting tucked right underneath the fairing. While the late and great Barry Sheene's best friend, Steve Parrish, raced with a broken collarbone after a crash at Thruxton.

Michael Rutter won the race on Saturday on his Manx Norton 500. Wayne Gardner took the laurel wreath and cigar on the Sunday aboard his Matchless G50. After the final race, Rutter said: 'Gardner always goes a bit mad and heads off into the distance so that we all chase him. Everyone wants to beat him, so he ups the stakes!' Whitham took third place.

Meanwhile off track, the mods and rockers rekindled old rivalries and rolled up on a variety of bikes including a Triton with 1961 T120R motor in a 1959 frame, and beautifully restored Lambrettas. Or perhaps they'd just spent the past decades wrapped in cotton wool in someone's living room

Then there was the dad's army brigade: older enthusiasts in military costume with an authentic-looking setting and their 350cc Matchless G3L motorcycles which the army used in World War II.

The event was also celebrating 50 years of the Mini, with a parade followed by a race of Minis of all shapes and colours. Aircraft featured prominently too, with displays and flyovers of planes from the era. The revival market sold period merchandise, bands played 1950s music and the beer flowed in the period-style bars. The whole weekend was a magical step back in time.

Goodwood House and its surrounding grounds, which include the circuit, form the stately home of Lord March, a car and motorcycle enthusiast. Every year Lord March holds the Revival at the end of summer, and The Festival of Speed in spring. If you missed it this year, then put it in your diary for 2010. This leaves you a whole year to prepare your period costume!