Revving Up for the Grand Finale: 2024 Goodwood Revival Sunday
As the sun rose over the historic Goodwood Circuit on that crisp September morning, there was an electric buzz in the air. The final day of the 2024 Goodwood Revival was upon us, and boy, did it promise to be a barnstormer. I’ve covered my fair share of motorsport events over the years, but there’s something special about the Revival that always gets my heart racing.
This year’s Sunday lineup was particularly tantalizing. We were in for a double dose of Formula 1 action, a continuation of the heart-pounding Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy, and some good old-fashioned touring car mayhem in the St Mary’s Trophy. But the pièce de résistance? The RAC TT Celebration – the crown jewel of historic motorsport that never fails to leave me slack-jawed.
F1 Fever: A Double Helping of Open-Wheel Brilliance
Now, I’ve seen my fair share of F1 races, but watching these vintage machines tear around Goodwood is something else entirely. The screech of engines, the smell of high-octane fuel, and the sight of those impossibly low-slung cars dancing on the edge of adhesion – it’s a sensory overload that takes me right back to the golden era of motorsport.
This year, we were treated to not one, but two F1 races. The first, featuring cars from the 1950s and early ’60s, was a masterclass in mechanical sympathy and raw courage. Watching those drivers wrestle their machines through Madgwick and Fordwater, you can’t help but marvel at their skill and bravery.
The second race, showcasing the more advanced machinery of the late ’60s and early ’70s, was a different beast altogether. The increased downforce and wider tires made for some truly breathtaking cornering speeds. I couldn’t help but think, “If I were behind the wheel, would I have the guts to keep my foot down through St. Mary’s?”
Two-Wheeled Thrills: The Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy
As much as I love four-wheeled action, there’s something undeniably thrilling about motorcycle racing. The Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy, split over Saturday and Sunday, is always a highlight of the Revival. Watching those classic bikes being manhandled around the circuit, riders hanging off at impossible angles, it’s enough to make your palms sweat.
This year’s race was particularly poignant, with several riders sporting tribute liveries to the late, great Barry Sheene. It was a fitting reminder of the man’s impact on the sport and his enduring legacy.
Tin-Top Tussles: St Mary’s Trophy Mayhem
If you’ve never seen a pack of 1960s touring cars going hammer and tongs around Goodwood, well, you haven’t lived. The St Mary’s Trophy is always a highlight, with its mix of professional drivers and owners creating some truly memorable moments.
This year’s race was no exception. Watching Minis dicing with Galaxies, and Cortinas trading paint with Alfa Romeos, it’s like stepping back in time to the heyday of the British Touring Car Championship. There were more than a few occasions where I found myself holding my breath as cars three-wide approached Woodcote. It’s racing at its most pure and exhilarating.
The Main Event: RAC TT Celebration
And then, of course, there was the RAC TT Celebration. If there’s one race that encapsulates everything that makes the Goodwood Revival special, this is it. Multi-million dollar GT cars from the early ’60s, piloted by a mix of professional drivers and enthusiastic owners, battling it out for an hour around one of the most challenging circuits in the UK.
The grid this year was a sight to behold. Cobras, E-Types, GTOs – it was like the world’s most expensive and exclusive car show had suddenly sprung to life. As the flag dropped and the field thundered away, I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of envy. To be out there, wrestling one of those magnificent machines around Goodwood, must be the ultimate thrill for any petrolhead.
The race itself was a nail-biter from start to finish. Watching those priceless cars being driven to within an inch of their lives, swapping positions lap after lap, it’s enough to make you forget to breathe. The sound alone – a symphony of V8s, V12s, and everything in between – is worth the price of admission.
Reflections on a Revival to Remember
As the checkered flag fell on the RAC TT Celebration, bringing the 2024 Goodwood Revival to a close, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of elation and sadness. Elation at having witnessed some of the finest historic racing you’ll see anywhere in the world, and sadness that it was all over for another year.
The Goodwood Revival is more than just a race meeting. It’s a celebration of motorsport’s golden age, a chance to step back in time and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of a bygone era. From the period-correct clothing worn by spectators to the meticulous attention to detail in the paddock, it’s an immersive experience like no other.
As I packed up my notebook and camera, already looking forward to next year’s event, I couldn’t help but reflect on how lucky we are to have events like the Revival. In a world where motorsport is increasingly dominated by technology and corporate interests, it’s refreshing to see the pure, unadulterated joy of racing for racing’s sake.
The 2024 Goodwood Revival may be over, but the memories – and the ringing in my ears – will last a lifetime. Roll on 2025!
