The sell-out crowd has been gathering this morning for the 18^th Goodwood Revival meeting. Fifty years on from when the iconic motor racing circuit’s first era came to an end, the Revival is now the world’s premier historic motor sport event and the significance of the date is being celebrated in style. The Drivers’ Club mirrors England’s great 1966 football World Cup victory, while Sir Jack Brabham, who won his third World Championship that year, is to be honoured each day with a parade of significant cars from his career.

‘The word 'legend' to describe a sportsman is used far too lightly these days but Sir Jack Brabham really is one of the true legendary figures in the history of motor racing,’ says Lord March.

The year 1966 was also known as ‘The Return of Power’ with Formula One engines doubling in size to 3-litres. Fourteen of the cars from that year, including the Lotus 49 which Jim Clark took to a debut victory in the Dutch Grand Prix, will thrill the spectators on all three days.

Around 150,000 people are expected over the Revival weekend. Racing commences this evening with the Kinrara Trophy, a 62-minute race for closed-cockpit cars of the type that raced up to 1962. Such is the value of these racers – including some of the most that mouthwatering Ferraris, Aston Martins and Jaguars – that the grid is thought to be worth around £150 million.

Following today’s programme of practice, Saturday and Sunday will continue with a great mix of races, parades and aviation, including the first flight from Goodwood by a Bristol Blenheim – look to the skies above Goodwood at 1pm today. The highlight for many will be the St Mary’s Trophy, which will be contested by a hoard of Austin A30 and A35, piloted by an eclectic mix of drivers that includes comedian Rowan Atkinson and multi-gold medal winning Olympian cyclist, Sir Chris Hoy.