Freddie March Spirit of Aviation celebrates the Motor Circuit’s heritage in style at Revival

Aviation is central to the history of the Goodwood Motor Circuit. The track that has hosted some of the greatest names in motorsport has its origins as the perimeter road of RAF Westhampnett, an operational airfield during World War II. Here, pilots were trained in Hurricanes and Spitfires, and it served as a key strategic location during the Battle of Britain in 1940.

The ninth Duke of Richmond, Freddie March, was happy to lend the land to the RAF during the war, but on the advice of his good friend Tony Gaze he decided to convert the perimeter road into a race track. The Motor Circuit opened in September 1948 and hosted Britain’s very first post-war motor race, three years after the end of World War II.

It is in recognition of Freddie March and the Motor Circuit’s past life that this concours d’elegance is held, and it gathers some of the finest and rarest historic aircraft to be showcased to visitors and judged by an expert panel.

Judges for the 2026 concours include Bruce Compton, military history expert and TV star, former RAF Tornado fast jet pilot Mandy Hickson, Chairman of the British Air Display Association Matthew Wilkins, and Amelia Richardson, one of the youngest flying instructors in the country. They’re joined by Squadron Leader and a regular at the Freddie March Spirit of Aviation, Alan Jones, alongside Jeremy Warren and Juliet Sierra.

Three themes were celebrated in 2026: the 90^th anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire, 80 years since the first De Havilland Chipmunk was flown and 55 years since the first display of Spitfire MH434 at Goodwood.

The winner of the concours d'elegance was the 1947 Le Vier Cosmic Wind, presented by Peter Kynsey. Second place was awarded to the 1955 Cessna 170B, presented by Philippe Chatelet and Francois Rallet, with third place going to the 1944 DH89A Dragon Rapide 6, presented by David Starkey & Ben Cox.

The Rob Wildeboer Cup for the best restoration of an aircraft went to the 1943 Boeing Stearman E75, presented by Andreas Maron.

Each morning at the Revival we’ve enjoyed a trio of Spitfires take to the skies for a dawn patrol, in recognition of the first Spitfire flight in 1936, while there are rare models to be awed at on the ground.

Chipmunks, Beech Staggerwings and De Haviland Moths are all represented, and in a rarity for the Freddie March Spirit of Aviation, a car stars on the lawn alongside the aircraft. The Buick Super 8 Convertible has close ties with the Cosmic Wind as the car that towed it across America to compete in races, the story of that aircraft would be incomplete without the presence of this special car.

The traditions of the Goodwood Motor Circuit and the passion of Freddie March are celebrated in the best way at the Revival. This concours never fails to impress, and when the sun is shining down on this gathering of priceless aviation history, there’s no finer place to pass the time.  

Photography by Pete Summers and Jordan Butters.

Tickets for the 2027 Goodwood Revival will be on sale from Monday 21st September for a limited time only. Tickets will be available exclusively for 2026 tickets holders, as well as Members and Fellows of the GRRC.

Join the GRRC Fellowship today to secure your tickets at the best price possible, plus enjoy access to the exclusive GRRC Pit Stop Enclosure on-event, 10% off admission tickets and grandstand passes and a year-round calendar of member events.