Louwman Museum at Goodwood Revival 2014

The Louwman Museum was once again represented this year at the motorsport event held at the Goodwood circuit: the Revival Meeting.

The circuit was built on the route of the ring road of the airfield that was constructed by the British Air Force at the beginning of the Second World War. Between 1948 and 1966 the track was used intensively for both car and motorcycle races, but it fell into disuse. In 1998 the owner of the estate, Lord March, restored the circuit to its former glory and since then several events have been held there each year, including in September the three day Goodwood Revival Meeting.

Races

Racing is done with cars from the 48 66 period in different classes. This means that the spectator (more on that later) can feast their eyes on cars such as the Ferrari 250 GTO, Jaguar D type, Maserati 250F and BRMs. With these, the battle for a podium place is fought on a knife edge. Historic touring cars are also present; it is a fantastic sight to see Jaguar Mk VIIs being chased, all drifting, by tiny Austin A35s. Mini Coopers and Ford Lotus Cortinas freely mix it up with American Ford Galaxies and Falcons. Ford GT40s fighting McLaren Chevrolets provide, as if all that were not enough, plenty of spectacle, tension and excitement.

Whos who

The Revival Meeting is not only very popular with car enthusiasts, it also attracts famous drivers from past and present who are happy to put in an appearance. The list of celebrated drivers is long: Sir Stirling Moss, who by the way was almost killed in a crash at Goodwood in 1962, is there every year. As are Jackie Stewart, Danny Sullivan, Arturo Merzario, Derek Bell and many others.

The BEs (well known Englishmen) like comedian Rowan Atkinson, Nick Mason (drummer of Pink Floyd) and TV presenter Tiff Needell are also very welcome guests and are excellent drivers, to name just a few.

Jaguar D-Type

An icon of motor racing, the Jaguar D type was put in the spotlight this year. The Louwman Museum was invited to take part with the Jaguar D-Type XKD 606, the car with which drivers Flockart and Bueb won the 24 hour race at Le Mans in 1957, in an impressive gathering of 30 Jaguar D-Types and several XKSSs (the road-going version of the D-Type) to mark the 60th anniversary of this model. Every day these D-Types drove several fast laps in succession as a tribute to this legendary model.

Earls Court

In the infield of the circuit, the facade of the old London Earls Court has been reconstructed. For decades, Earls Court was the venue where the London Motor Show was held, the English equivalent of "our" RAI. Inside, the Maserati Medici show car designed by Giugiaro from the Louwman Museum was on display, together with other "cars of the future"; cars that, when they were first unveiled, were radically different from anything seen on the road at the time. Among others, magnificent examples of the Alfa Romeo Montreal, De Tomaso Mangusta and Facel Vega II were exhibited.

Visitors and dress code

In the British press this event was described as "living theatre". The reason is that everything on and around the circuit is consistently styled after the circuit's glory years (the 40s, 50s and 60s): the cars, the buildings, the sound systems, the emergency services, and the spectators are also expected to dress up. For those who did not bring suitable clothing, the many shops at the entrance (!) offer a solution. Because anyone who does not join in and turns up in jeans and a T-shirt will look terribly out of place.

Over the Road

Anyone planning to visit the event in 2015 needs to be on time the tickets for the Saturday were already sold out two months in advance this year. But even without an admission ticket, car enthusiasts will not be bored a part of the event takes place outside the circuit, across the access road. There you will find hundreds of little shops and a vintage funfair. Potential buyers of classic cars can visit the Bonhams auction hall or dealers in classic vehicles.

If you just want to look without buying, there is the classic car parking area to visit. That is where visitors pride and joy is displayed, almost as far as the eye can see. Thousands of classics from a wide range of brands. Some forgotten everyday makes such as Standard, Triumph, Jowett, Wolseley, Riley or Hillman, but also many exclusive cars that visitors have simply driven in on public roads.

For a comprehensive impression of this event, you can view the slideshow below with photos taken by editorial team member Phil Seed.

Phil Seed