In 2010, the South Downs circuit welcomed grapple fans back. This year, another mainstay of 1960s Saturday tea-time TV will be featured at the Revival: no less ‘dirty’, it's classic motocross.

Sandwiched between the wrestling and Dr Who, motorcycle scrambling was a mainstay of 1960s weekend television scheduling. Broadcast in black and white, obviously, British audiences soon became familiar with marques (Greeves, BSA, Triumph and Husqvarna) and riders (Dave Bickers and Jeff Smith, both of whom will attend the Revival) catapulted from specialist obscurity to national stardom.

At this year’s Goodwood Revival, a dedicated area alongside the Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy competitors in the Motorcycle Paddock will be set up for past champions and their machines. There will also be a separate, authentic 'period Scrambles Paddock', filled with a group of 50 riders and their motorcycles.

Riders will be expected to wear the traditional rugby shirt with bib-and-brace leather trousers or a Belstaff two-piece waxed cotton set.

Daily parades of both the star riders and the ‘supporting cast’ of Scrambles Paddock extras will be held. In the unlikely event of clement weather, it can be expected that a generous hosing of mud will be applied to every participant before they take to the track.

The Goodwood Revival will take place from 16-18 September 2011 and is, as always, an advance-ticket-only event. See www.goodwood.com/motorsport.

Text: Steve Wakefield
Photos: With grateful thanks to Michael Jackson and featuring, from left to right:

Jeff Smith, who dominated the 500cc Scramble scene for more than 10 years, mounted exlusively on BSA. Between 1955 and 1967 he won the 500cc British Championship 10 times, and was 500cc World Champion in 1964 and 1965.

Les Archer, 1956 European 500cc Motocross Champion, on his ultra-special ohc Norton in the 1958 French MX GP.

Dave Bickers is best remembered for his successes when racing Greeves machines. He won the 250cc European MX Championship in 1960 and 1961, and was British 250 Scrambles Champion six times between 1960 and 1966.