The Goodwood Revival 2012

The strong hint of Castrol R lacing the warm autumn air, the World War Two fighters buzzing overhead, and the tweed-laden crowds flocking in their droves. It can only mean one thing – The Goodwood Revival.

If it weren't for modern SLR cameras hanging round necks, or mobile phones clamped to ears, you'd have been hard pushed to find anything to signify you were actually in 2012.

Not only is the Revival the world's largest classic car celebration, it's now also the world's largest period-fashion staged event, with a staggering 80% of attendees donning their best threads and getting in the fifties/sixties spirit.

And it's all in the details. The period Tesco supermarket sells post-War sweets and crisps. Every last vehicle (ambulances aside) in the whole circuit campus is pre-1966 and actors everywhere create a truly authentic experience.

A culmination of amazing post-War cars unrivalled globally is the main attraction though, and the on-circuit antics provided a cacophonous show on the historic racetrack.

Twenty twelve marks 50 years for some legendary cars, namely the AC/Shelby Cobra, and the iconic Ferrari 250 GTO. The latter (which seems to evoke more hushed whispers about value, than adoration of its beautiful lines) was celebrated with a mammoth gathering of 15 cars, of which 13 cavalcaded on the circuit.

On the rare occasion when you do see 15 GTOs lined up, the subtle differences between each car are remarkable – there really are no two alike.

The Shelby Cup race was the chosen form of tribute to the distinctive Cobra shape (and sound) – a stellar line-up of 29 cars, all driven on the limit, 'rumbling the circuit into neighboring East Sussex' quipped the commentator.

However, the highlight of the event had to be a once in a lifetime chance to see 10 genuine Silver Arrows Mercedes Benz and Auto-Union factory cars, reunited on the same piece of tarmac for the first time since 1939. Marking 75 years since the Silver Arrows were first seen in the UK, the whine of the Mercedes W125 and the growl of the Auto-Unions were truly evocative.

Sir Jackie Stewart, Bernd Shneider and Nick Mason were just a few of the famous faces driving the cars into the memories of thousands of transfixed onlookers.

An underlying theme throughout the weekend was a Presidential election campaign for a certain Dan Gurney. The American racing legend was paid tribute to with a parade of cars he once drove, as well as 'Gurney for President' slogans plastered all around the site (complete with placard waving groupies shouting his name).
Always a crowd favorite at the Revival, the RAC TT grid was typically packed with many of the world's most valuable sports cars. A new face at Goodwood for 2012, was ex-Ferrari F1 race winner Jean Alesi, who piloted Nick Mason's achingly gorgeous Ferrari 250 GTO with Mark Hales. Jean took the GTO by the scruff of the neck, and was really leaning on the car within a few laps of the tricky Goodwood circuit.

Martin Brundle and Adrian Newey were the victors though come the race on Sunday, in the latter's lightweight Jaguar E-Type. A remarkable win considering Newey span off at St Mary's corner on lap one putting him stone last.

Whereas the Festival of Speed is aimed truly at the enthusiast, the Revival is an event anybody would enjoy. The sheer painstaking attention to detail, and superb authenticity make the Revival a truly one-off spectacle that can be enjoyed by the whole family, whilst satisfying the real car buffs who travel from the world over to drink in the delight that is Goodwood. And the weather played nicely. Bring on next year-

By Alex Easthope