Since its launch in 2006, the ‘themed’ Goodwood Breakfast Club has gone from strength to strength. This year’s meetings start on 7 March with ‘Tax-free Sunday - for all pre-1973 classics’.

The principle - like so many successful ideas - is a simple one: once a month, car enthusiasts can drive to the Goodwood Circuit on a Sunday, meet like-minded folk and enjoy a fine breakfast to boot. The meetings have grown so much since the first days that on-track parking is solely for the cars conforming to that month’s theme, and the high-quality catering has been augmented by equally classy trade stands.

The calendar (below) moves around a little due to the Festival of Speed and Revival dates in July and September. New for 2010, on 5 December, will be a Christmas market full of stalls selling gifts likely to appeal to any petrolhead, or ‘Goodwood fanatic’.

We went along in the early days and enjoyed it all immensely.

For further details, call the Goodwood Breakfast Club Hotline on +44 1243 755060, or visit www.Goodwood.com/breakfastclub. Visitors can now pre-register their vehicle and attendance on-line to secure easy parking (and a place at the head of the queue for coffee and a bacon roll).

Sunday Date / 2010 Goodwood Breakfast Club Theme (meetings are held from 08:00 to midday)

7 March: ‘Tax-free Sunday - for all pre-1973 classics’

4 April: ‘Sporting Family Favourites - four-seater fun’

2 May: ‘Everything but the Car - from bikes to buses, tractors to trucks; nothing is too bizarre’

6 June: ‘Supercar Sunday - the ultimate performance machines; cars and bikes’

27 June: ‘Soft Top Sunday - a taste of the British summer for all open-top cars’

4 July - Not held due to Goodwood Festival of Speed

1 August: ‘Performance Car Legends - post-1970 drivers' cars, including track day favourites’

29 August: ‘Classic Sunday - pre-1966 vehicles in the spirit of Goodwood’s golden days’

5 September - Not held due to Goodwood Revival preparations

3 October: ‘Souped-up Sunday - modified and custom vehicles of all ages’

7 November: ‘Deutsch Marques! - a tribute to Germany’s finest motoring marvels’

5 December: ‘Christmas Cracker Special - cherished cars and Santa’s sled. Yule be glad you came!’

Text: Steve Wakefield
Photos: Goodwood