Rowan Atkinson, star of Blackadder and Mr Bean, will take the wheel once again at this year’s Goodwood Revival, driving one of 30 identical Austin A35s in the St. Mary’s Trophy, in what is expected to be the most closely fought race in Revival history.

St. Mary’s Trophy Film

Atkinson will be joined by Theo Paphitis, renowned retail magnate and former Dragons’ Den favourite, and Sir Chris Hoy, who, until Bradley Wiggins’ recent success in Rio, was the most decorated British Olympian of all time.

They will go wheel-to-wheel with motor racing legends Tom Kristensen, known as “Mr Le Mans” for winning the 24 Hour race no less than nine times, Andrew Jordan, 2013 BTCC Champion and Goodwood Ambassador, and David Coulthard, 13-time Grand Prix winner turned TV presenter, on the Goodwood track.

This year, the St Mary’s Trophy grid will feature 30 identical Austin A30s and A35s, all built to HRDC Academy regulations, meaning they will have the same engine, gearbox, brakes, fuel tank, dampers, front and rear springs, interior and body panels. With such evenly-matched machinery, the result really will be all in the driving.

As ever, the St Mary’s will be a two-part race, with VIPs competing on the Saturday, and owner-drivers having their turn on Sunday. The result will then be declared on aggregate.

Other names driving in the St. Mary’s Trophy will include Rauno Aaltonen, Jean Alesi, Mark Blundell, David Brabham, Karun Chandhok, Rob Collard, Stuart Graham, Robb Gravett, Tom Ingram, Mike Jordan, Rupert Keegan, Nicolas Minassian, Adam Morgan, Matt Neal, Tiff Needell, Jason Plato, Paul Radisich, Gordon Shedden, Steve Soper, Amanda Stretton, Danny Sullivan, Sam Tordoff and Darren Turner.

Andrew Jordan said: “As always the Goodwood Revival is one of the highlights of my racing season. It’s such a well-put-together event with a huge variety of cars, the attention to detail blows my mind more each year. My highlight, and I think quite a fan favourite, is the St. Marys Trophy. The past two years I have paired up with my dad [former BTCC race winner Mike Jordan], which has been fantastic and we have had podiums and wins. This year we have built an Austin A30 for the one-make-race, and can’t wait to get there to race in a grid full of identical cars. With a lot of touring cars stars it really should be something special to watch."

(Ends)

Editor’s Notes

Run every September since 1998, the Goodwood Revival is the world’s largest historic motor racing and vintage culture event, with a sell-out crowd of nearly 150,000 attending in period clothing each year. Held at the Goodwood Motor Circuit, the only motor sport venue on the planet to remain preserved in its original form, the Revival attracts visitors, racers and celebrities from all over the world. Highlights of the 2015 event, which took place on September 11-13, included 15 races for racing cars and bikes built up to 1966, a special tribute to motor sport legend Bruce McLaren, a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Shelby’s world title with a special Sebring pit area, the Freddie March Spirit of Aviation concours d’elegance, numerous air displays, Best-Dressed, the Revival Car Show presented by Stewart Miller and Peter James Insurance, an authentic Revival High Street, and the Over the Road entertainment area.

Tickets for the Revival are now sold out but hospitality packages are still available, to find out more contact  www.goodwood.com/tickets or call 01243 755055. 

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