There are anniversaries galore in 2014, and given that each will be celebrated in a way only Goodwood could pull off, it’s hard to know where to start. Take the Lavant Cup for starters: a race set to feature 23 Jaguar D-types to mark 60 years of Malcolm Sayer’s impossibly curvaceous design.
Anniversaries galore
Inevitably Maserati’s presence will be strongly felt in this, its centenary year. The main paddock will stage a mock-up of the 1954 Monza pit-lane, though it’s what will be housed in this area that's heightening the excitement in the Classic Driver office today – up to 16 Maserati 250Fs (including one of two V12 cars in existence), all set to battle it out in the Richmond Trophy. Fantastico!
Other anniversaries include 75 years since the historic circuit became an RAF base – to be celebrated with a gargantuan parade of service personnel and accompanied by the only two airworthy Lancaster bombers rumbling overhead – and 50 years since Jackie Stewart was ‘discovered’ testing at Goodwood. The occasion will be marked with a special parade of 24 notable cars from his career, including the very Cooper in which the young Scot undertook that momentous test.
A liberal spread
Naturally there’s the usual liberal spread of star-studded grids and a roster of cars that is truly unparalleled. Our pick is the popular (and ever-eventful) St. Mary’s Trophy for 1950s production saloons, though the hallowed RAC TT Celebration (think Ferrari 250 GTOs, Jaguar E-types and Shelby Cobras, etc.) is definitely not one to miss. Oh, and make sure you're track-side for the Shelby Cup, this year honouring 60 years of the small-block V8 and aptly featuring up to 20 Ford Mustangs, one of which will be piloted by F1 star Max Chilton. Good on him, we say.
Away from the track it’s the astonishing attention to detail that elevates the Revival so far above the rest. Aside from the usual Earls Court Motor Show and authentic period Tescos store (selling proper period goods), a life-sized replica of Stonehenge has been built to front the Rolex Drivers’ Club (complete with real-life druids), as well as an installation of Brighton Pier to mark 50 years since the summer of 1964. Keep your eyes peeled; we advise avoiding a Mods and Rockers clash at all costs! And how could we forget Pussy Galore's helicopter, set to compete in the Freddie March Spirit of Aviation celebration, thankfully arms-free.
Unique atmosphere
Everywhere you look there are intricate details, authentic ‘sets’ or in-character actors, all trying to capture that golden bygone era and induce some good old-fashioned nostalgia. Bring in the sound of Spitfires thundering overhead, the heady smell of Castrol R and almost every attendee dressed in period clothes, and it’s a truly unique atmosphere – one you really don't want to miss...
Photos: Tim Brown for Classic Driver / Credit Suisse / Goodwood
