Goodwood SpeedWeek: where modern F1 began | GRR
The Richmond and Gordon Trophies are in fact one race. They celebrate the crossover era of Formula 1, when everything changed in the late 1950s. Normally a central part of the Goodwood Revival this year the race takes place at Goodwood SpeedWeek presented by Mastercard.
What are the Richmond and Gordon Trophies?
While the Glover Trophy, which we previewed earlier, is dedicated to the later period of Formula 1 racing at Goodwood – when pencil-shaped rear-engined racers took centre stage – the Richmond & Gordon Trophies celebrate the earlier years. This is the period in which the changeover from front- to rear-engined cars took place, with the Cooper T51 leading the revolution. As such two titles are awarded for this race which pitches cars from both era against each other, one for front, and one for rear-engined cars. The Richmond Trophy was the other name used by Goodwood for its non-championship Formula 1 races in period.
What cars will race in the Richmond and Gordon Trophies?
The Richmond and Gordon Trophies are for 2.5-litre Grand Prix cars of a type that raced between 1952 and 1960. This perfectly straddles the period of domination for front-engined cars and the following revolution from Cooper that saw the engine mounted behind the driver. Unlike the later F1 cars of the Glover Trophy, engines are allowed to be as large as 2.5-litres. As the nine years that this race covers included so much change there is an incredible variety of machinery involved. Last year’s race for victory was fought between a Climax-engined Lotus 18 and a Cooper T53 in ‘lowline’ spec. Previous years have seen a tooth-and-nail fight between the mighty Scarab and the Maserati Tec-Mec, a development from the 250F after Maserati pulled the plug on its F1 programme. You can also expect standard 250Fs, Connaughts, BRMs and perhaps even the only ever four-wheel-drive F1 car – the Ferguson P99.
What drivers will I see in the Richmond and Gordon Trophies?
That man Nick Padmore is often in there again, as well as more Gooodwood regulars like Gary Pearson and 2019 winner Sam Wilson. Former factory Ford driver Marino Franchitti drove a 250F in last year’s race and you can expect Tony Smith and Julian Bronson to be up there if they are invited. We’ll have more information about who is racing as we get closer to SpeedWeek.
When and how can I watch the race?
The Richmond & Gordon Trophies form a part of Goodwood SpeedWeek which takes place 16th-18th October 2020. You can watch the race, as well and qualifying on the Goodwood Road & Racing website or on GRR, Revival and Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard social media channels.