The Return to Power

9 September 2016

‘I have been to historic races all over the world and nothing compares to the Goodwood Revival,’ says Chris MacAllister, the Indianapolis based owner of the ultimate Lotus 49. His iconically coloured, green and yellow car is just one of the collection of immaculate machines from the early years of the 3-litre Grand Prix formula, an era known as ‘The Return To Power’, on display at Goodwood during this weekend’s Revival meeting.

The change of Formula One for 1966 saw engines double in size but that was also the time when Goodwood closed for racing. The track was revived for historic racing 18 years ago and it is, thus, appropriate that examples from the first two years of the then new formula will parade on all three days of this year’s Revival meeting.

The Lotus 49 is arguably the car that personifies this time in Formula One and three examples are here at Goodwood. Chris’s Lotus is the very car which double World Champion, Jim Clark used to take the 49’s debut victory in the 1967 Dutch Grand Prix. ‘It’s great to bring the car back to the UK. I am only sorry that the car was never able to race at Goodwood in period,’ says Chris

Three Lotus 49s are included in the 14-car line up. The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu has brought another early example of the model while Geoff Farmer is driving his 49, which he points out has a special association with Goodwood. This particular 49 was owned by Rob Walker and in 1968 won the British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch driven by Jo Siffert. It was the last time that an independently entered car would win a World Championship Grand Prix.

The car was eventually acquired by Geoff who entered it for one of the races at the second Goodwood Revival back in 1969. Geoff points out that, when it won at Brands, it was the first time the car had turned a wheel. The subsequent Goodwood race was, likewise, the first time that it had raced since being rebuilt. Geoff put the car on pole and then went on to win, setting a new lap record in the process. ‘I love the way the car seems to belong here at Goodwood. There is no place that I would rather drive it in front of a crowd.

The ‘Return to Power’ cars, which are located in a period pit setting, will parade round the track every afternoon during the meeting.

(Ends)

Editor’s Notes

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