What not to miss at the 75th Goodwood Members’ Meeting

Master of the house

With these smaller numbers, Members’ Meeting has become a place where strangers become friends. We’ve always found that the best way to break the ice with a new friend is with a little competition, and Goodwood has plenty of competition, both on and off the track. With every attendee — from superstar to race driver to four-year-old — allocated to a house, everyone has the chance to win for their home team. Whether you cheer on the big boys (and girls) on track or jump in on a random game of tug of war, house pride is in the air — who knows, you may even end up in a three-legged race with Jochen Mass or trying to out-throw Nicholas Minassian in a wellie toss.

Demo time

While the atmosphere is enticing and the games are entertaining, we all go for one thing: the races. As the first historic racing event of the year, everyone will be itching to watch some beautiful cars speed around the track, so we advise staking out a piece of lawn along the fences early, especially for the high-speed demonstrations. From the Ferraris, Alfas, and Lolas of the 3.0-litre Sport Prototypes to the Porsches, Jaguars, and McLaren F1-GTRs of the Legends of GT1 to the Rover SD1s, Jaguar XJSes, and BMW M3s of the Group A Touring Cars, there will be something for everyone. Luckily, if you miss them on Saturday, you will be granted a second chance on Sunday.

Swing your partner round and round

The first day is always a long (often boozy) one, and many people will want to call it an early night, as Sunday morning always creeps up too quickly, but we advise you to grab a coffee, or another Goodwood Ale, and prepare for a second-wind, because the party on Saturday night is totally worth. With carnival rides, dancers, musicians, fire acts, and acrobatics, it surely is a sight unlike any other. Make sure you check out the boot scootin’ barn dance and hoedown, where you can either pull up a hay bale and watch the two-steppin’ or strike up the courage to join in a line dance or two, but don’t miss the grand finale — when the whole day culminates into a perfect ending of explosive fireworks that seem to go on forever, illuminating the entire track and the faces of everyone below.

Race on Sunday

The final day of Members’ Meeting is all about the cars. This is the day where races are won. With over 10 trophies to be claimed, each driver has the podium in their sights. Ranging from Edwardian Specials in the S.F. Edge Trophy to Group 1 racing saloons from the 1970s and early ’80s in the Gerry Marshall Trophy, cars from all eras will be represented. The new Scott Brown Trophy, composed of just Listers that raced until 1966, has been added, and with his recent passing, the John Surtees Trophy, which will feature Can-Am Group 7 sports prototype of the 1960s, will be one to watch with revered remembrance.