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
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 FangioThis 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.
Click here to preview your posts with PRO themes ››
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.Click here to preview your posts with PRO themes ››
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.