With Revival kicking off in less than 24 hours, here is my list of the things I'm most looking forward to.
SEP 07th 2017
Erin Baker: 9 things I'm excited about for Revival
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1) My son racing in the Settrington Cup.
Well, I had to put that as number 1, didn’t I? Car number 41 if anyone fancies cheering for him – we don't have any support on Saturday. He’s called Josh and the car’s called Rusty, and that’s as technical as it gets for me this year.
2) World premiere of TVR’s new car
Will it be called the Griffith? Will it look like a TVR? Will it sound like a TVR? Will it fall apart like a TVR? Goodwood Road and Racing has had a sneak preview and is sworn to secrecy but, well, you know, it looks quite tasty, and build quality is promising with Gordon Murray on board the good ship….
3) The Fiat 500 celebration
Got to love a Cinquecento. Small but perfectly formed, and my heart is sold on one of the new special editions done in collaboration with Riva, the timeless, elegant Italian boat builder.
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Photograph courtesy of LAT Images
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4) The rain
Yes, wet weather, which we seem pretty much guaranteed this year. And you know why? The Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy. These guys are nutters and, standing in the pits last year watching the rider change in the pouring rain, I noticed that they genuinely seemed to relish the extra slippery conditions, laughing and joking with each other, teasing each other about coming off. Bonkers, and the best.
5) Ecurie Ecosse parade
I imagine Dick Skipworth, the former owner of the Ecurie Ecosse transporter and many of the racing cars, is half wishing he hadn’t sold his collection so he could see his machinery all come together for this celebration of the team’s Le Mans 1-2 win in 1957. What a sight it will be. Bagpipes at the ready.
6) Kinrara Trophy
Whisper it softly, but I don’t really care which cars and drivers are racing in this event each year; I just adore the romance of cars racing into the sunset, a love affair that began at my first Le Mans, and which the Revival allows to continue. Last year, I listened to the thrum of the hot exhausts from my Airstream in a field next door to the circuit; this time, I shall bring my son up to watch and be inspired.
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7) Experiencing the Revival with a child
Never done it before, despite having two boys, but this year I have an excuse to experience the tantalising side of the event – the helter skelter, the swing boats, ice creams and burgers, the live music and the wide-eyed thrill of it all from the perspective of a young newcomer.
8) Earl’s Court
Full of interesting stuff this year: BMW has a vintage Riviera theme and is celebrating 30 years of the Z1. They’ll also have one of my favourites – the 507 – on display. Maserati meanwhile has a 1960 3500 GT Vignale Spider, inspired by the Geneva show stand from the 1950s. What’s not to like?
9) The planes
Please let it not be too windy for some of them to get in as I write this. Perhaps even more so than the cars (I know, sacrilege), the planes evoke the Revival period so strongly. Makes me want to be Denys Finch Hatton (slightly pre-Revival, but the spirit endures at Goodwood) and take to the skies.
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