Goodwood Revival 2024: A Symphony of Overtakes
The roar of engines, the smell of petrol, and the thrill of wheel-to-wheel racing. That’s what the Goodwood Revival is all about. But let’s be honest, what really gets our hearts pounding? Those jaw-dropping overtakes that leave us on the edge of our seats.
I’ve been covering motorsport for more years than I care to admit, and I can tell you, there’s nothing quite like witnessing a perfectly executed pass. It’s a delicate dance of skill, bravery, and sometimes, a dash of luck. The 2024 Goodwood Revival served up a veritable feast of these moments, and I’ve had the pleasure (and challenge) of narrowing it down to the 15 best.
The Cream of the Crop
Let’s dive into some of the standout moves that had us all holding our breath:
- Alex Brundle’s audacious dive down the inside at Madgwick
- Jimmie Johnson showing why he’s a NASCAR legend with a textbook switchback at Lavant
- Tom Ingram’s brave around-the-outside pass at the fearsome St. Mary’s
These weren’t just overtakes; they were masterclasses in racecraft. Brundle’s move, in particular, reminded me of his father Martin’s famous pass on Riccardo Patrese at the 1992 Belgian Grand Prix. Like father, like son, eh?
The Art of the Overtake
Now, for those of you who might be new to the sport, let’s break down what makes a great overtake. It’s not just about raw speed – although that certainly helps. It’s about:
- Timing: Knowing exactly when to make your move
- Spatial awareness: Understanding where your car is in relation to others
- Bravery: Having the guts to go for a gap that might disappear in a blink
- Respect: Leaving room for your opponent (most of the time, at least!)
“To finish first, first you must finish.” – Juan Manuel Fangio
This quote from the great Fangio sums it up perfectly. The best overtakes are the ones that stick, not the ones that end in the gravel trap.
Technical Brilliance on Display
One overtake that really caught my eye was Johnson’s move on the approach to Woodcote. He used a technique we call “late apex” – turning into the corner later than usual to get a better exit. This allowed him to carry more speed onto the straight and sail past his rival. It’s the kind of move that separates the good from the great.
Another term you might hear is “slipstreaming” or “drafting”. This is when a car tucks in behind another to reduce air resistance, allowing it to go faster and set up an overtake. We saw plenty of this on the long Lavant Straight.
The Human Element
What makes these overtakes even more special is the human element. These aren’t just machines; they’re extensions of the drivers themselves. I remember chatting with Tom Ingram after his stunning move at St. Mary’s. He was still buzzing with adrenaline, eyes wide as he described the split-second decision to go for it.
“I saw a gap and I went for it,” he told me, grinning from ear to ear. “For a moment, I thought I’d overcooked it, but the car just stuck. What a feeling!”
It’s moments like these that remind me why I fell in love with this sport in the first place.
A Nod to the Past
One of the unique aspects of the Goodwood Revival is how it blends the past with the present. Seeing modern racing stars like Johnson and Ingram battling it out in classic machinery is a sight to behold. It’s a testament to their skill that they can adapt so quickly to cars that are a far cry from what they’re used to.
I couldn’t help but wonder how the likes of Fangio, Moss, or Clark would have fared in today’s high-tech racing machines. Would their raw talent shine through, or would the complexity of modern motorsport prove too much? It’s a debate that never gets old in the paddock.
Looking Ahead
As we look forward to future Revivals, one can’t help but feel a tinge of nostalgia mixed with excitement. The sport is constantly evolving, with new technologies and safety measures being introduced all the time. But at its core, it’s still about man and machine in perfect harmony, pushing the limits of what’s possible.
Will we see even more daring overtakes in the years to come? I’d bet my press pass on it. As long as there are brave men and women willing to strap themselves into these magnificent machines, we’ll continue to be treated to moments that take our breath away.
In the end, that’s what keeps us coming back year after year. The anticipation, the excitement, the sheer joy of seeing a perfectly executed overtake. It’s more than just cars passing each other – it’s art in motion, a ballet at 150 mph.
So here’s to the overtakers, the brave souls who make our hearts race and our voices hoarse from cheering. May the 2025 Goodwood Revival bring us even more moments to cherish. I, for one, can’t wait to see what’s in store.
