The RAC TT Celebration: A Clash of Titans at Goodwood Revival 2024
There’s something magical about the roar of vintage engines echoing through the Goodwood Circuit. As I stood trackside for the 2024 RAC TT Celebration, I couldn’t help but feel a tingle of excitement. This wasn’t just any historic race – it was the historic race.
The grid was a who’s who of motorsport royalty. BTCC heavyweights Jake Hill and Tom Ingram. IndyCar legend Dario Franchitti. Le Mans heroes Tom Kristensen and Andre Lotterer. And let’s not forget Alex Brundle, carrying on the family legacy.
But the real stars? The cars. Pre-1966 GT monsters that make modern machines look positively tame. AC Cobras, with their brutal American muscle. Jaguar E-types, the epitome of British elegance and speed. Chevrolet Corvettes, all stars and stripes and thunderous V8s. And the rare but mighty Lister Coupe, a car that still gives me goosebumps.
BTCC Rivals Take Center Stage
The battle between Hill and Ingram was the talk of the paddock. These two have been duking it out all season in the British Touring Car Championship, and now they were bringing that rivalry to Goodwood. Hill, in a Cobra, versus Ingram in an E-type.
It was like watching a boxing match between a sledgehammer and a rapier. The Cobra’s raw power versus the E-type’s finesse. Every lap was a masterclass in car control, with both drivers pushing their historic steeds to the absolute limit.
“It’s a completely different animal to my BTCC car,” Hill told me after the race. “But that’s what makes it so special. You really have to wrestle these old girls around the track.”
Legends at Work
While the BTCC boys were stealing the headlines, you couldn’t ignore the presence of Franchitti, Kristensen, and Lotterer. Between them, they’ve got more trophies than I’ve had hot dinners. Watching Kristensen, the nine-time Le Mans winner, thread a Cobra through Goodwood’s notorious chicane was like watching a ballet dancer in racing boots.
Lotterer, fresh from his electric exploits in Formula E, seemed to relish the chance to manhandle a proper manual gearbox again. And Franchitti? Well, the Scot might be retired, but he was driving like he had something to prove.
The Unsung Heroes
It’s easy to focus on the big names, but some of the most impressive driving came from the lesser-known pilots. Alex Brundle, for instance, was absolutely on it. He’s got his old man’s talent, that’s for sure. And let’s not forget the gentleman drivers – the backbone of historic racing. These guys might not be household names, but their passion and skill are undeniable.
A Symphony of Speed
The race itself? Pure, unadulterated chaos – in the best possible way. From the moment the flag dropped, it was a dogfight. Cobras lunging past E-types on the straights, only to be reeled in under braking. Corvettes muscling their way through on the inside of Madgwick. The Lister Coupe howling its way around the circuit like a banshee with a point to prove.
It wasn’t just a race; it was a time machine. For an hour, we were transported back to the golden age of motorsport. No DRS, no hybrid systems, no team radio. Just man and machine, locked in an epic battle against the clock and each other.
The Technical Challenge
Now, for those of you who might be new to historic racing, let me break down why these cars are such a handful:
- No Driver Aids: Modern race cars have traction control, ABS, and all sorts of electronic wizardry. These old girls? Nothing. It’s all down to the driver’s right foot and feel.
- Mechanical Grip: Today’s slick tires provide enormous grip. The vintage rubber on these cars? Let’s just say “sideways” is a frequent state of being.
- Weight Distribution: Big engines up front mean these cars can be a handful in corners. It’s a constant battle to keep the nose pointed where you want it.
- Brakes: Forget carbon discs and six-pot calipers. We’re talking drum brakes in some cases. Stopping distances are… adventurous.
A Race for the Ages
As the checkered flag fell, I found myself already nostalgic for what I’d just witnessed. The RAC TT Celebration isn’t just a race; it’s a celebration of everything that makes motorsport great. The skill, the bravery, the engineering, the history – it’s all there in abundance.
Hill may have taken the win, with Ingram hot on his heels, but every driver out there was a victor in my book. They’d not only survived but thrived in some of the most challenging race cars ever built.
As I watched the cars return to the paddock, engines ticking as they cooled, I couldn’t help but think: this is what it’s all about. This is why we love racing. The smell of hot oil and brake dust, the sound of tired engines, the sight of grinning drivers climbing out of their chariots. It doesn’t get any better than this.
The 2024 RAC TT Celebration will go down in history as one of the greats. And I, for one, feel privileged to have been there to see it. Roll on 2025 – I can’t wait to see how they’ll top this one.
