[Video] 2023 Jim Clark Trophy full race | 80MM | GRR
Whoever decided that putting together a grid of 30 Lotus Cortinas for a race at the 80th Goodwood Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport deserves a knighthood. Not only did the Jim Clark Trophy pay the perfect respect to a legendary racing driver, a man who proved almost unbeatable at the wheel of one of these cars, but it also produced one of the very best races of the weekend.
That might not mean an awful lot when you consider quite how many unmissable races there were at this years’ Members’ Meeting, but regardless of that, this Cortina shootout is one you should definitely set aside 45 minutes or so to enjoy. It didn't take long for the drama to begin as Alex Brundle so nearly lost it heading into Madgwick for the first time as the field hurtled away from the start.
Two corners later there was already plenty of paint swapping going on, fortunately between two of the white Cortinas, as the field bunched up for the first time into St. Mary’s. Much of the pack remained two or even three wide for the majority of the first lap, with only The Chicane forcing them into single file formation.
And that story of a single lap would be repeated for the remaining the quarters of an hour for what turned out to be an absolute cracker. The battle for the lead remained open right the way through until the final few minutes, too, so make sure you stay tuned until the very end.