The Goodwood Revival 2010 took place 17-19 September at the Goodwood Motor Circuit in West Sussex, England. Far more than a historic car race, the annual Goodwood Revival is a virtual step back in time and a chance for participants and spectators to take in the romance and theatre of motor racing as it used to be.
The lovingly restored Goodwood Motor Circuit is unchanged from its heyday, and great lengths are taken to ensure that everything on the site is exactly as it was. Staying in period also extends to the spectators, with many going to great lengths to achieve that authentic look. While visitors are not required to dress up (unless you qualify for central Paddock access, in which a jacket and tie is necessary for gentlemen, and a dress or suit for the ladies), spectators report they feel much more involved when they do. The resulting spectacle plays a key role in making the Goodwood Revival such a unique event.
Throughout each day at Goodwood, there were be a number of air displays and also track parades of those vehicles taking part in the special demonstrations. The 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain was marked with a fitting and emotional tribute. In its former guise of RAF Westhampnett, Goodwood was a Battle of Britain airfield during World War II, and nine veterans who were based at the West Sussex site returned, some for the first time in 70 years. Two returned especially for the occasion from Canada, and another all the way from Australia. A moving tribute was paid by the Goodwood Revival’s founder Lord March on the grid with the nine veterans, joined by a Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft, with the Battle of Britain Memorial Fight, the Band of Her Majesty the Queen’s Royal Marines and a cannon fire salute made by the Royal Horse Artillery. Also on the Goodwood grid was the actual Bentley 4.5-litre owned by Billy Fiske, who was also honoured. Fiske was the first American to volunteer for the RAF, and also the first US airman to be shot down and lose his life. He is buried on the edge of the Goodwood Estate at the Boxgrove Priory, where a stained glass window in his honour is also located.
Some great period fashions, including a sea of colourful mini skirts on Ladies Day (Saturday), helped seal the unique, fun atmosphere of the 2010 Revival. On the Richmond Lawn a 1950s-style circus with clowns, wrestlers, a Hall of Mirrors, and even a bearded lady, also helped the great vibe, as did the live bands, dancing and comic film sets and 1950s holiday camp. The recreation of a typical early 1960s British street scene, with a bus depot, car park and Tesco supermarket, proved to be hugely popular, with Revival shoppers coming over ‘all nostalgic’ at the sight of period packaging and house hold brands that had long been forgotten. Opal Fruits and Marmite in the correct period packaging proved to be in great demand.
Similar to our Goodwood Festival of Speed 2010 and Goodwood Revival 2010 – Results and Photos coverage, photographer Tim Scott of Fluid Images also took the pictures from “Behind the Scenes” at this year’s Goodwood Revival. He offers the following images that give an superb overview of the off-track action, including the spectator costumes, grid girls, motorcycles parades, military displays and overall camaraderie. To see more from Tim, visit fluidimages.co.uk.
Goodwood Revival 2010 – Behind the Scenes Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture)
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[Source: Goodwood; photo credit: Tim Scott / Fluid Images]
