Goodwood Revival is a premier event that captures the hearts of vintage car enthusiasts and fashion aficionados alike. Set in the picturesque landscape of West Sussex, England, this event breathes new life into the past. But what makes this event so special? Let's delve into the history of Goodwood Revival, the significance of its fashion, and the unique atmosphere that makes it a must-attend.
Goodwood is located about an hour’s drive south of London, and the English Channel is another 30-minute drive away. The Goodwood Estate has been owned by the Duke of Richmond for over 300 years, originally an illegitimate son of King Charles II of England. At the heart of the 12,000-hectare estate is Goodwood House, the Duke's residence. The estate is home to a world-famous horse racing track, an airfield, a Rolls-Royce factory, and a racetrack, the Goodwood Circuit. Every late summer, the Goodwood Revival is held on the Goodwood Circuit.
The current owner of Goodwood is the 11th Duke of Richmond, Charles Gordon-Lennox. After inheriting the estate in the 1990s, he transformed Goodwood into a mecca for historic motorsports. Events like the Goodwood Members' Meeting in spring, the Goodwood Festival of Speed in summer, and the Goodwood Revival in autumn draw hundreds of thousands of motorsport fans annually to Goodwood.
During World War II, the Royal Air Force sought land near the English Channel to build a military airfield. They chose the Goodwood Estate, and the Duke, as a patriotic gesture, agreed.
After the war, the airfield was no longer needed. The father of the current Duke, an avid motorsport enthusiast, repurposed the existing hangars and runways to create a racetrack. The Goodwood Circuit officially opened in 1948 and quickly became England's most important racetrack. By the 1960s, motorsport had shifted to Silverstone, where Formula 1 races are still held today.
In 1998, the young Duke Charles Gordon-Lennox carefully renovated the circuit. The pit lane and old aircraft hangars were faithfully restored to preserve the 1950s vintage flair. Even the racetrack itself was not altered with modern safety standards but maintained its original appearance, using straw bales and tire stacks as safety measures. This created the perfect setting for a festival celebrating historic motorsport and the 1950s and 60s atmosphere – the Goodwood Revival was born.
During the Goodwood Revival, the golden era of motorsport is celebrated, and legendary race cars roar around the track. Fortunately, the track layout remains mostly unchanged. Key sections of the Goodwood Circuit include:
Madgwick Corner: A medium-speed right-hand bend after the start line.
Fordwater: A fast left-hand turn, taken on the limit of grip.
St. Marys Corner: A technical left-right combination.
Lavant Straight: A long straight where top speeds are reached.
Chicane: A tight right-left combination before the start/finish straight.
Every year in early September, fans of historic motorsport and vintage enthusiasts gather at Goodwood for the Goodwood Revival. Over three days, from Friday to Sunday, visitors can experience the unique atmosphere of Goodwood – the smell of gasoline and motor oil fills the air, accompanied by the roar of classic twelve-cylinder engines and the sound of swing and jazz music.
The date for the Goodwood Revival is usually announced alongside the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The Festival of Speed typically occurs the weekend before or after the Formula 1 GP at Silverstone. Ticket sales begin in November, and you can sign up for a “Ticket Alert” on the organizer's website to be notified when tickets go on sale.
Single-day tickets (General Admission) for each of the three days cost around €80 per person, with “early bird” discounts available. It’s worth considering add-on packages, as access to the races, paddock, and pit lane is limited. You can watch the races from various parts of the circuit, but grandstand seats require additional tickets. Paddock access also requires an extra ticket.
The grounds feature food trucks and stylish stalls offering quality food and drinks, with plenty of seating available.
For a more luxurious experience, hospitality packages are available, including access to grandstand seats, the paddock, and pit lane, as well as breakfast, lunch, and drinks throughout the day. These packages can cost up to €1,000 per day, depending on the level of service.
Tickets must not be resold at a markup, so it doesn’t matter much where you buy them. The easiest way is to purchase them through the official website and pick them up at the entrance gates in Goodwood. You can also have the tickets shipped, though customs fees may apply.
The closer your accommodation is to Goodwood, the better, but good options around the estate are often booked in advance for sponsors and VIPs. The drive from London takes about two hours, and from coastal towns like Portsmouth, it’s only 30 minutes. There are often long traffic jams leading to Goodwood, so avoid arriving between 9:00 and 10:30 AM, or plan to arrive earlier.
A committee, chaired by the Duke of Richmond, curates the vehicle entry list for the Goodwood Revival. The selection is based on historical relevance, original condition, rarity, racing history, balance among racing classes, and the owner’s prominence.
The 2023 Revival celebrated Carroll Shelby’s 100th birthday, featuring the iconic Ford GT40 MkII, which Shelby developed to break Ferrari’s winning streak at Le Mans in 1966. Another highlight was the rare Ferrari 250 SWB “Breadvan” competing in the Lavant Cup 2023.
In 2024, top GT cars competed for the Stirling Moss Memorial Trophy. Ferraris stood no chance against the Aston Martin DB4 and AC Cobras, honoring the legacy of Sir Stirling Moss.
The Goodwood Revival runs from Friday to Sunday. On Friday, practice sessions take place as drivers compete for pole position. Races occur on Saturday and Sunday, with the main events happening on Sunday. Air shows are scheduled throughout all three days, usually between races.
Each year, the race categories are slightly adjusted based on anniversaries or new event focuses. While there’s no single highlight like the Festival of Speed shootout, the GT races featuring Ferraris, Aston Martins, Jaguars, and Ford GTs are the most spectacular, showcasing the golden age of motorsport.
Goodwood offers a helpful app to plan your visit, detailing race schedules, participating vehicles, and times. However, race start times often shift due to the need to clear wrecks off the track.
For a quieter experience, visit the Goodwood Revival on Friday, as all participating vehicles are on display, and you won’t miss any major events. The most exclusive races take place on Sunday. Plan for at least two days to fully enjoy the Revival experience.
There’s no requirement to follow a specific dress code but attending in everyday clothes can detract from the Goodwood Revival’s spirit. Wearing vintage clothing allows you to become part of the community and contribute to the 1950s motorsport atmosphere.
The Goodwood Revival is more than just a car race – it’s a tribute to an era marked by a unique sense of optimism, hope, and progress. The post-war boom brought new youth culture with Rock 'n' Roll and a sexual revolution.
Fashion was defined by leather jackets, petticoats, and mini skirts. Motorsport was adventurous, risky, and uncommercialized, making race drivers icons of the youth movement and fashion.
Access to the central paddock is restricted to those wearing appropriate attire (jacket and tie for men). However, other areas of the Goodwood Revival can be accessed in everyday clothing.
The Goodwood Revival dress code for men can be divided into three distinctive styles:
Slick Urban Look: Men wear slim, well-tailored suits with narrow ties, polished leather shoes, and neatly styled hair.
Country Style: Inspired by rural hunting and leisurewear, this style features wax jackets, tweed blazers, corduroy trousers, and checkered shirts.
Military Aesthetic: With a nod to Britain's proud Royal Air Force heritage, this look includes bomber jackets, aviator sunglasses, cargo pants, and parkas, typically in khaki or olive green tones.
Elegant Revival Look: Pencil skirts, sheath dresses in muted shades like grey, navy, black, and white, along with stilettos or pumps, were all the rage in the 1950s. Tailored coats with sharp cuts and wide collars, paired with a chic hat, a subtle leather handbag, and a pearl necklace, complete the perfect Goodwood Revival look.
Countryside Style: Women preferring a countryside aesthetic can opt for tweed jackets and skirts, wax jackets, and fine knitwear. High-necked blouses paired with cardigans, often in tartan or plaid patterns, are popular. Footwear tends to be more rugged, with wellington boots, riding boots, or brogues being fitting choices.
Military Style: Women can also embrace military-inspired outfits, such as leather aviator jackets with fur collars, paired with cargo trousers and lace-up boots. Tough fabrics combined with feminine, fitted cuts create a ladylike military look perfect for the Goodwood Revival atmosphere.
Visiting Goodwood Revival is like stepping back in time. With the right preparations and these handy tips, your experience will be nothing short of magical. Immerse yourself in the world of historic motorsport, enjoy the vintage fashion, and revel in the unique atmosphere of Goodwood Revival.
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