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‘Goodwood 75’: a bumper year of celebrations ahead

Motorsport | Press Article 17/04/24

  • History and heritage of the spiritual home of British motor racing to be celebrated throughout 2023
  • Goodwood 75 encompasses a number of anniversaries:
    • 75 years since the Goodwood Motor Circuit opened in 1948
    • 30 years since the first Festival of Speed was held in 1993
    • 25 years since the first Goodwood Revival was held in 1998
    • 25 years since the foundation of the Goodwood Road Racing Club in 1998
  • Fans from around the world can get involved and share their memories using #Goodwood75 

History and heritage
Goodwood is proud to announce ‘Goodwood 75’, a year of celebrations across its motorsport events and venues in 2023. As well as paying tribute to the incredible history and heritage of motorsport at Goodwood, the Goodwood 75 festivities will embrace the future of motorsport, something which Goodwood has continuously championed throughout the years.

The overarching celebration is that of the Motor Circuit, which reaches its 75th anniversary in 2023. It was Squadron Leader Tony Gaze - an Australian fighter pilot who was based at RAF Westhampnett during the Second World War – who first suggested to the 9th Duke of Richmond that the airfield’s perimeter track would make an excellent race circuit. Officially opened on 18 September 1948 by the Duke and Duchess in their Bristol 400, the very first meeting was attended by 15,000 spectators, who gathered to watch the 85 drivers including Stirling Moss, who won his first ever race that day, sparking a life-long association with Goodwood.

Between 1948 and 1966 - the years celebrated by the Goodwood Revival - the Circuit hosted World Champions Jack Brabham, Jim Clark, Juan Manuel Fangio, Giuseppe Farina, Mike Hawthorn, Graham Hill, Phil Hill, Denny Hulme, Jochen Rindt, Jackie Stewart and John Surtees along with a host of other stars, as Goodwood established itself as the spiritual home of British motorsport. Following the cessation of racing in 1966, some of the biggest and best-known racing teams, including Brabham, Eagle, Honda, McLaren, Toleman and Tyrrell, continued to test their cars at Goodwood.

In the early 1990s, the Earl of March (now the 11th Duke of Richmond) began looking into the possibility of reopening the Circuit. Staging an event on private roads in Goodwood Park proved slightly easier, and in 1993, the very first Festival of Speed took place. The two-day event welcomed an estimated 25,000 spectators who watched nearly 100 cars and motorcycles in action on the Hill. Competitors and attendees included Tony Brooks and Roy Salvadori who went up together in an Aston Martin DBS3, George Harrison in his Rocket sports car, Nick Mason in his V16 BRM, Gordon Murray in a McLaren F1, and John Surtees, who was an event patron and organised the motorcycle entry.

In 1998, the dream of reopening the Motor Circuit became a reality, and 50 years to the day since his grandparents had opened the track on 18 September 1948 in their Bristol 400, the Earl of March opened the inaugural Revival meeting in an identical car. 1998 also saw the launch of the Goodwood Road Racing Club – a club which today boasts over 25,000 Members and Fellows, who number among the greatest supporters and advocates of Goodwood motorsport.

In its 75 year-motorsport history, Goodwood has seen some remarkable feats of engineering and derring do: from the trailblazing drivers who raced here in the early years and the cars that tested on the Circuit; to the scintillating record-breaking run from the McMurtry Spéirling at the 2022 Festival of Speed and the pioneering use of synthetic fuels at the Revival. 

2023 Celebrations

Motor Circuit
Open year-round, visitors to the Goodwood Motor Circuit will see a series of nods to the 75th anniversary. There will be a number of photo moments across the Circuit from Spring 2023, where visitors will be able to take a photo as part of our #Goodwood75 campaign and create their very own moment in history. 

As the Circuit continues to evolve, we will launch our new Driving Simulator Room in spring, featuring 4 Exsim VR5 Simulators that use D Box actuator technology and custom-developed motion profiles, which allow users to take to the track for the ultimate simulator racing experience. 

On Sunday 4 June, the Circuit will host the ‘75th Sunday’ Breakfast Club with a specially-curated grid of cars from the last 75 years, showcasing a unique variety of models from 1948 to 2023. Expect everything from post-war classics to the latest and greatest Supercars.

The 75th anniversary of the Circuit and 25th anniversary of the first Goodwood Revival fall on Monday 18 September 2023.

80th Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport
Kicking off the motorsport action in 2023, the 80th Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport (15-16 April) will honour those who made their names at the Motor Circuit with the likes of the Moss Trophy, Salvadori Cup and Tony Gaze Trophy. Honouring ‘Mr Goodwood’ himself, the Moss Trophy will see closed-cockpit GT cars and prototypes compete in the spirit of the RAC TT races of 1958-1962, while the ‘Godfather of Goodwood’ will be honoured with the Tony Gaze Trophy for GT cars that raced between 1948 and 1954.

Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard
Goodwood 75 will be the theme of the 2023 Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard (13-16 July). A dedicated Goodwood 75 hillclimb batch will showcase cars and bikes from our 75-year history including The Racing Years (1948-1966), The Testing Years (post-1966), 30 Years of the Festival of Speed (1993-2023), Racing Returns (1998-2023) and The Next 75 Years.

Goodwood Revival
Celebrating the Motor Circuit’s heyday as ever, the Revival (8-10 September) will see a wonderful gathering of cars that originally competed in 1948. We have looked to our motorsport heritage when choosing our honoured driver, Carroll Shelby, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday in 2023. Shelby took part in what is arguably the most dramatic race Goodwood has ever seen – the 1959 RAC Tourist Trophy, when Stirling Moss took over Shelby and Jack Fairman’s Aston Martin DBR1/300 after his own car caught fire in the pits, fighting back through the field to win the race and the World Sportscar Championship for Aston Martin. Lotus, which itself celebrates 75 years in 2023, will be the honoured marque at the Goodwood Revival, with a fabulous line-up of cars overseen by company founder Colin Chapman.

Goodwood Road Racing Club
In addition to an action-packed schedule of events, the Goodwood Road Racing Club will celebrate its silver jubilee with a series of photo moments for its founder members at the Festival of Speed and Revival.

Get involved - #Goodwood75
As well as attending the line-up of headline events throughout the year, fans and customers can submit their memories of Goodwood by using the hashtag #Goodwood75, which will be collated and shared on Goodwood’s social media channels and website. A special timeline detailing key moments and achievements will also be available to view at goodwood.com in the coming weeks.

Retail collection
Fans and customers will be able to take advantage of an exclusive Goodwood 75 capsule collection which launches in May and will be available from the Goodwood Shop and at shop.goodwood.com.

Speaking about the momentous year ahead, The Duke of Richmond, founder of the Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to celebrate 75 years since my grandfather opened our wonderful Motor Circuit back in 1948. Today Goodwood motorsport is celebrated and cherished by millions around the world, which the whole Goodwood team are immensely proud of. We have a very special year planned for 2023 and I can’t wait to celebrate with our fans as we reflect on our history but also look ahead to the next 75 years, and beyond. I’d like to thank everyone who has been so enthusiastic and supportive and so much look forward to welcoming everyone during this special year.”

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

A 60-second film capturing Goodwood 75 (no easy task!) can be found here which you are welcome to use online or on social channels.

Please see here for a timeline capturing Goodwood’s 75 years of motorsport.

2023 Event Dates:

  • 80th Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport, Saturday 15 - Sunday 16 April 2023
  • ‘75th Sunday’ Breakfast Club, Sunday 4 June 2023
  • Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard, Thursday 13 - Sunday 16 July 2023
  • Goodwood Revival, Friday 8 - Sunday 10 September 2023

Tickets
Tickets for Goodwood’s 2023 motorsport events are on sale now at goodwood.com or by calling the Ticket Office on 01243 755055.

Buy now to save 10% during the early bird window!
New for our 2023 events, customers can save an extra 10% on Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival admission tickets in our early bird windows. Book before 31 March 2023 to save on Festival of Speed tickets and before 30 April 2023 to save on Goodwood Revival tickets. Terms and conditions apply.

Join the Fellowship to receive an additional 10% off headline motorsport events!
For just £79 a year, customers can join the Fellowship to attend the 80th Members’ Meeting and in addition, the Fellowship now includes an exclusive discount of 10% on Festival of Speed and Revival tickets. This discount can be used in addition to the 10% early bird discount. Discover all the benefits of joining the GRRC here.

Hospitality
As well as tickets, Goodwood’s unrivalled hospitality packages are also now available to book for the 2022 Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival. Whether customers are looking for a great day out with friends, entertaining clients or celebrating something special, Goodwood’s hospitality provides the ultimate setting to enjoy the events. Email hospitality@goodwood.com or call 01243 755054.

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Contact
For more information about Goodwood’s motorsport events, please contact Katharine Morgan, PR Manager – Motorsport & Automotive Events: Katharine.Morgan@goodwood.com

For all other press enquiries please contact: media@goodwood.com

Imagery and news from Goodwood are available from our Press & Media site.

Stay up to date with all future announcements and on-event action across our social channels:

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | #Goodwood75

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About the 80th Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport
The Goodwood Members’ Meeting is an access-all-areas, epic weekend of motor racing, hosted by and exclusively for the Goodwood Road Racing Club.

As well as a full programme of racing, the Members’ Meeting features all kinds of cars from classic tin-tops and GTs, to motorcycles and open wheeled Formula 3 and F1 machines, offering visitors a friendly and intimate atmosphere. A winning formula of spectacular cars, high-speed track demonstrations, car launches, fun-packed festivities and great entertainment, along with the very best food and drink.

Founded by the Duke of Richmond, the annual event aims to recreate the atmosphere and camaraderie of the original BARC Members’ Meetings held at Goodwood throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

About the Goodwood Road Racing Club
The Goodwood Road Racing Club (GRRC) is the community of motorsport enthusiasts at the core of Goodwood’s iconic events and motoring legacy. The club is a growing community of all ages who share The Duke of Richmond’s passion for motorsport.

With a host of new benefits recently introduced for the 2023 motorsport season, entry fellowship status is open to all at just £79 per year. Joining the GRRC Fellowship is the only way to become a full GRRC Member.

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About the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard
First staged in 1993, the Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard is the world’s largest automotive garden party; set against the spectacular backdrop of Goodwood House in West Sussex, UK. Over 600 cars and motorcycles spanning the phenomenal history of motoring and motorsport take part along with legendary figures from the automotive world. Highlights include Future Lab presented by Randox, Electric Avenue presented by bp pulse, Forest Rally Stage, Michelin Supercar Paddock, Michelin Supercar Run, F1 Pit Lane presented by Sky, Drivers’ Club, GAS Arena, Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance and Bonhams Auction.

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About the Goodwood Revival
The Goodwood Revival is the world’s greatest historic motor race meeting, and the only sporting event of its kind to be staged entirely in a period theme. More than just an unrivalled weekend of historic racing, it is an immersive celebration of a less disposable world, where “Make Do and Mend” was a way of life rather than a casual slogan.

The Revival is, at its heart, a celebration of craftsmanship and sustainability, from an age when possessions were made to last and be cherished. It promotes a thoroughly modern ethos – to “reduce, reuse, repair, restore and recycle” – in the most authentic way possible. All the cars are original, having been lovingly maintained since new, many of the outfits have been handed down through generations, and even the retailers specialise in pre-owned artefacts – everything from clothes and accessories to automobilia and books.

It is, proudly, the world’s biggest and most glamorous second-hand event.