Behind the scenes at 83rd Members’ Meeting testing

We've been joined at the Motor Circuit throughout testing by the keenest Members and Fellows of the GRRC, who have been making the most of their first chance to enjoy some historic racing cars back out on track for the first time this year. 

Testing is the perfect opportunity to get an exclusive first look at the machinery that'll be competing at the 83^rd Members’ Meeting, and we've all been getting up close to the action both on track and in the paddocks as the hard work for all of these teams begins.

Just as you’d find at a pre-season Formula 1 test, these preparatory sessions have been the stage for the entrants to dust off any cobwebs and weed out any niggling issues ahead of race day. This was the case for the Chevron B8 we saw on track on the final test day. It’ll be up against some of the most powerful machines of the event in the Bruce McLaren Trophy, and driver Sam Mitchell has been getting it into shape.  

“Just giving it a shakedown after winter,” was how he described his morning session. “Things like new brake pads are in, so just making sure everything works fine, gently build up throughout the day.”

Tim Dutton’s Bugatti Type 51 threw up some problems, as was apparent when we met him in the paddocks working on an issue. “Testing's been a bit irritating this morning,” he explained, “because I think I've got a broken fuel pipe; I'm getting oil fuel surge, which is just weird. It's never happened before, so I'm just gonna fill it up with fuel and see if that cures it.”

Not that that dampened his enjoyment of running on the Goodwood Motor Circuit: “I love the circuit, it really suits the old cars because there's not too many hard stops.” Hopefully for Dutton, and all of us eager spectators, all issues will be resolved before the flag drops for the Varzi Trophy on Sunday. 

Making sure everything’s in working order is the primary focus for all the teams during pre-event testing, but some cars and drivers have experienced unexpected positive developments in performance. 

Martin Stretton’s the man at the wheel of the Frazer Nash Mille Miglia that’ll also be running in the Varzi Trophy, and had a “very, very good start” to the penultimate test day. “We went out in the car first thing and the car went as good — slightly better than it's ever gone before, which was a delightful start to the day!” Just the feedback every team wants to hear.

We've also enjoyed the presence of a Jaguar E-type that already boasts an impressive Goodwood history, driven to pole position in the 2023 Stirling Moss Memorial Trophy by Alex Buncombe. Buncombe will be racing it again at the 83rd Members' Meeting alongside Simon Watts in the Protheroe Cup, but his brother Chris has putting the car through its paces during Members’ Meeting testing.

“It's a pleasure,” he told us. “It's interesting at the back of Goodwood in the high-speed sections, the car's very floaty, which apparently that's just kind of a typical characteristic of these E-types, so that took a bit of getting used to when I first drove the car. But it’s wonderful.”

For the most part, blue skies have the trackside viewing even better. We've enjoyed a host of Minis preparing for battle in the Win Percy Trophy, a Chevron B6 warming up for a run in the thunderous Bruce McLaren Trophy and, of course, the unmistakable sight of Ford Capris readying themselves for the Gordon Spice Trophy.

We also caught up with Andrew Hibberd, a three-time winner of the Derek Bell Cup, who will be seeing if he can add to his record in 2026 with his Brabham BT18. “Testing today has been really good,” he said. “A couple of little faults that we've had to fix, which has been the reason we've come testing, but we enjoy it — and in the sunshine!”

These testing days are of course the ideal time for drivers and engineers to iron out the issues with their cars ahead of the Members' Meeting weekend, but for many this is also the best chance to fettle and optimise their setups, learn the track, and analyse their performance before the main event.

Take a quick walk round the paddocks and you'll spot teams in their trucks pouring over data and onboard footage, analysing braking points and ideal racing lines. They'll be adjusting suspension setups, tweaking engine components, experimenting with geometry settings.

It's fascinating to watch as a congregation of incredibly talented and knowledgable engineers get to work on many of the world's most iconic racing cars.

It's a great opportunity to recognise some familiar faces, too. The likes of Alex Brundle, Steve Soper and Rowan Atkinson have all been taking their opportunity to get out on track and get their eye in ahead of a big weekend of racing, while Jenson Button's CUT 8 Jaguar E-type has been back on track as he hopes to add to his success in the Freddie March Memorial Trophy last year.

But as much fun as it is to immerse yourself in the paddocks, nothing beats bagging a decent vantage point and watching historic cars at speed around the Goodwood Motor Circuit.

Members' Meeting testing is perhaps more exciting than any other time of year. We've all been sat patiently waiting for the sound of racing engines to return after the Revival came to a close more than six months ago, and hearing them head out at full chat is always a thrilling moment.

The 83^rd Members' Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport takes place on the 18^th & 19^th April 2026. Tickets are limited, with only Sunday admission remaining. Saturday tickets, weekend passes and grandstand passes are now sold out. 

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Photography by Joe Harding.