Video: Goodwood Motor Circuit re‑opens for business

Not since 1966 had the super-fast, 2.4-mile venue held races. Sprint events, private testing, track days and racing-school activities had continued but racing had ended when Freddie March closed the doors after the last meeting on July 2, 1966.

Current custodian Lord March, grandson of Freddie, had introduced the Festival of Speed on the drive of Goodwood House to the estate’s portfolio in 1993, but in the background there was untold grafting, plenty of obstacle-clearing and many a sleepless night, not to mention a huge financial outlay, in an attempt to bring the circuit alive again. And then, 50 years to the day since its original inauguration, that tireless hard work and immense passion paid off. 

Looking resplendent in its period dress, with renovated pit and race-control buildings and retro-branded grandstands, as well as a fresh coating of asphalt on an unchanged layout that now boasted additional run-off and extra spectator banks (that doubled as noise-blockers), the circuit played host to what would become the world’s premier historic race meeting: the Goodwood Revival.

That first meeting drew huge crowds, almost all of them in outfits befitting the 1948-1966 epoch, as well as scores of stars from motorsport past and present.

This film, narrated by racer and TV presenter Tiff Needell, a loyal supporter of the revived venue from day one, looks back at the best moments of the 1998 event, and showcases great racing, stunning aviation displays and the film-set backdrop that has come to characterise the Revival.

What’s incredible is that the new-look Goodwood has already been in existence longer, by just a few months, than its predecessor. And, fortunately for the fans, competitors, organisers and officials who have been coming here for the past 18 years, it’s lost none of its magic. And that’s probably true for those lucky enough to have been there first time round.

1998 Goodwood Revival Race Winners

CHICHESTER CUP – Formula Junior cars
Jean-Michel Farine (CH)-Lotus-Ford 20

EARL OF MARCH TROPHY – 500cc Formula 3 cars 1948-59
Julian Majzub (GB)-Cooper-Norton Mk8

‘EBBIE’ EBBLEWHITE HANDICAP – Saloon, sports & GT cars
Peter Hardman (GB)-Ferrari Dino 246S

FREDDIE MARCH MEMORIAL TROPHY – Goodwood 9-hour cars 1952-55
Gary Pearson (GB)-Jaguar C-type

GLOVER TROPHY – 1.5-litre GP & Tasman cars 1961-65
Danny Sullivan (USA)-Lola-Climax Mk4

LAVANT CUP – World Championship sportscars 1957-60
Peter Hardman (GB)-Ferrari Dino 246S

LENNOX CUP – 500 and 350cc motorcycles 1948-66:
Race 1: Mick Hemmings (GB)-McIntyre-Matchless 500
Race 2: Mick Hemmings (GB)-McIntyre-Matchless 500

RAC TT CELEBRATION – Closed-cockpit GT cars 1960-64
Nigel Corner (GB)/Barrie Williams (GB)-Jaguar E-type Lightweight

RICHMOND TROPHY – 2.5-litre GP cars 1956-60
Rod Jolley (GB)-Cooper-Climax T45/51

SCOTT GAZE HANDICAP – Single-seater cars 1948-66
Rod Jolley (GB)-Cooper-Climax T45/51

ST MARY’S TROPHY – Production saloons
Richard Dodkins (GB)-Austin Mini Cooper S

SUSSEX TROPHY – World Championship sportscars 1955-60
Robert Brooks (GB)-Lotus-Climax 15

WOODCOTE CUP – Front-engined F1 or F2 cars 1948-53
Ludovic Lindsay (GB)-ERA B-Type R5B