Video: 2024 Gordon Spice highlights | 81MM

2024 Gordon Spice Sprint highlights

Three Mini’s led away from the start, but it didn’t take long until the might V8s of the Mustangs and Camaros behind started to loom in the background. Fred Shepherd in his Mustang and Jack Tetley’s Camaro engaged in a battle for the lead following a brief red flag stoppage, and the pressure from behind eventually took its toll on Tetley as he struggled under braking and eventually fell down the order.

With plenty of action all the way through the field, as always, it was the perfect way to round off what had been a brilliant weekend of motorsport to kick off the 2024 Goodwood season.

2024 Gordon Spice Trophy highlights

It’s little vs large vs a few in the middle, as monster V8 Camaros thunder their way around with Rover SD1s, Ford Capris and an assortment of other race spec family favourites.

The Camaros were a thumping force to be reckoned with in this year’s race but even the likes of Tom Kristensen, Dario Franchitti, Andy Priaulx and Gordon Shedden couldn’t quite put the bowtie-badged bruisers ahead of the flying Fords. The Bernhard/Shepherd Boss looked to be in with a shout but the Davies and Sutton car made hay while the sun set.

It’s appropriate in this the Mustang’s 60^th year, that it was a Boss one-two as darkness fell over Sussex on the Saturday of 81MM.

2024 Gordon Spice Trophy Official Practice

A classic little versus large battle unfolded during the practice sessions, with the extremes of machinery illustrated by the Mini 1275GTs at one end and the V8 Chevrolet Camaros at the other. As the pace was quickening, things came to a halt when the oil-shedding Rover SD1 of Alex Brundle caused a lengthy red flag.

Most teams took the opportunity to perform a driver swap while marshals worked to prepare the circuit. When things got moving again, one of the most spectacular drives was the balletic performance of Jake Hill aboard his always-sideways Ford Capri. He secured third on the grid, lined up behind the pole-sitting Ford Mustang of Timo Bernhard and Fred Shepherd and the Chevrolet Camaro of Gordon Shedden and Jack Young.

What is the Gordon Spice Trophy?

Formerly known as the Gerry Marshall Trophy, and now named after seven-time BTCC class champion and four-time Le Mans class winner Gordon Spice, it also brings together one of the most interesting and entertaining grids of the weekend, with plenty of variety on show that always ensures thrilling racing from start to finish.

It has run in different formats over the years, but for the 81^st Members’ Meeting, the Gordon Spice Trophy will return to its original two-race layout comprising the 45-minute Gordon Spice Trophy on Saturday evening and a shorter 20-minute Gordon Spice Sprint on Sunday in its traditional place as the final race of the weekend.

Which cars race in the Gordon Spice Trophy?

Cars you can expect to see include a number of savage V8-powered brutes, the likes of Rover 3500 SD1s, Chevrolet Camaro Z28s and Ford Mustangs, mixed in with 3.0-litre Ford Capris, Triumph Dolomite Sprints and Mini 1275 GTs. Among the highlights will be the lone Mazda RX-7, with its distinct dual-rotor that will howl its way around the Motor Circuit.

It makes for the ultimate David vs. Goliath spectacle, with lightweight minnows mixing it with the muscular monsters in hugely entertaining duels. For this, the Goodwood Motor Circuit is the perfect layout, because the brutal V8s can stretch their legs down the straights, but their lighter, more agile opponents can carry the momentum into the sweeping high-speed corners.

Which drivers are racing in the Gordon Spice Trophy?

The Gordon Spice Trophy is also no stranger to big-name drivers, with numerous touring car legends regularly competing. Rob Huff, Mark Blundell and Matt Neal have all found success over the years, while current BTCC star Jake Hill has set the race alight in recent events from behind the wheel of his Gitanes-liveried Ford Capri.

This years entry list is packed to the brim with legendary drivers. Four-time IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti, seven-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen and five-time Le Mans winner Emanuele Pirro will be joined by Rob Huff, Jochen Mass, Anthony Reid and Neel Jani. A host of current BTCC stars will also be in action. 2022 champion Tom Ingram with face off against Rob Huff, Andrew Watson, Josh Cook and Jake Hill.

When is the Gordon Spice Trophy?

Official Practice for these Group 1 touring cars gets underway at 10:45 on Saturday before the Gordon Spice Trophy brings the opening day of track action to an end at 18:45 on Saturday evening. The Gordon Spice Sprint will round off the whole weekend on Sunday evening at 18:20.

Previous winners of the Gordon Spice Trophy