Goodwood Revival 2024 – the Ultimate Guide

Prepare to journey back in time to a world where the past meets the present in a symphony of horsepower, style and nostalgia. Goodwood Revival is not just an event; it’s a magnificent time capsule that transports you back to the golden age of motorsport.

Goodwood Revival is a unique event where you step back in time to experience the glamour and nostalgia of the past. As you walk through the gates you enter a world where the roar of classic racing engines fills the air and vintage fashion is de rigueur.

It’s a unique opportunity to watch historic racing cars in action on the same circuit where legendary drivers such as Sir Stirling Moss, Jim Clark and Sir Jackie Stewart raced in the 1950s and 60s.

Close your eyes and imagine the intoxicating aroma of Castrol R oil mingling with the throaty growl of vintage engines, as daring drivers push their priceless steeds to the limit and beyond.

Attending Goodwood Revival is one of the highlights of my year and I’ve been fortunate to have attended many times. I’ve put together this article to share my knowledge for anyone who wants to make the most of their visit. Whether it’s your first time there or you’re a regular visitor, I hope you find this post useful.

What is Goodwood Revival?

Goodwood Revival is a 3-day historic motor racing event at the Goodwood Motor Circuit, located near Chichester, West Sussex.

It’s usually held in early to mid-September and this year takes place from 6th-8th September. It shouldn’t be confused with the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which is held within the grounds of Goodwood House.

Historic Goodwood

Goodwood Motor Circuit opened in 1948 and was in regular use for race meetings until 1966. Racing then returned to the circuit with the first Goodwood Revival in 1998. It still retains its original layout today.

The Revival meeting aims to take you back to those days when the circuit was originally in use. The races are for cars that raced there in period and the whole event has a 1940s, 50s or 60s theme.

What to expect at Goodwood Revival

Goodwood Revival is the only historic motor racing event in the world staged entirely in a period theme. Goodwood do an incredible job to make the whole event feel like you’re stepping back in time.

Incredible motor racing

The racing plays a big part, with well-known drivers from F1, Le Mans and Touring Cars taking part. However it’s all the other touches that make the event as special as it is. Although make no mistake, the racing is the highlight and despite the value of these historic and valuable cars and bikes, the action on track is frantic and close.

Over the weekend there are 14 car races featuring classic vehicles from the likes of Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Ferrari and Lotus. Historic motorcycles will also be out on track too, with a couple of races over the weekend. The full entry list can be found here.

Vintage fashion and entertainment

As well as 3 days of historic car and bike racing, there’s plenty of vintage fashion, entertainment and more to enjoy. Even before you enter the circuit, you can treat yourself to a new outfit at the vintage stalls, enjoy fairground rides and even watch a vintage film.

Once inside the circuit gates, there is even more to enjoy. Get close up to priceless historic cars in the paddocks, admire a collection of pre-1966 aircraft at the Freddie March Spirit of Aviation concours or just sit back and enjoy people-watching.

In fact, there’s so much to do and see, it’s sometimes hard to fit it all in – especially if you’re only there for one or two days.

Goodwood Revival tickets

So you’ve decided you have to visit Goodwood Revival – how do you get tickets and how much are they?

The easiest way is to book directly from Goodwood’s website. Tickets usually go on sale a month or two after the previous event has finished, so for Goodwood Revival 2024 they went on sale towards the end of 2023.

Prices for single day entry range from £80 (adult) for Friday to £115 for the most popular Saturday. A 3-day ticket will cost £255 which is cheaper than buying all 3 days individually.

There are various other options available as well – from grandstand tickets to a selection of enclosures providing hospitality and track-side viewing. All are available for each of the 3 days, or the whole weekend. You can also buy classic car parking passes if you have an eligible car, or even a helicopter ride to get a birds-eye view of the action on track.

Saturday is the most popular day so these tickets sell out first. If you’re planning on attending on Saturday or for the whole weekend then I’d recommend booking your tickets well in advance.

If you miss the boat and don’t manage to book before they sell out, you can keep an eye on the official resale site Twickets.

Where to stay for Goodwood Revival

If you’re attending Goodwood Revival for more than one day you’ll need to find somewhere to stay, unless you live relatively locally. There are various options to suit all budgets – from a local campsite to Goodwood House itself.

One thing to note is that accommodation is always in short-supply for this weekend and prices are often higher than usual. The best way I’ve found to secure accommodation is to try and contact hotels or B&Bs as far in advance as possible and be ready to book as soon as the dates are announced by Goodwood.

Camping

If you prefer the feel of canvas above your head then you can camp at Goodwood Revival. Goodwood offer two campsites catering for tents, caravans and motorhomes. One is located near the Goodwood Hotel and the other alongside the circuit. Both offer options for electric hook-up plus toilets and shower facilities.

I camped one year and one of the main advantages is that you’re staying very close to the circuit. This means a conveniently short walk to the circuit, as well as not having to contend with traffic at the start and end of each day.

The Goodwood camping sites usually get booked up quickly, but if you’ve missed out there are other options nearby. Various local campsites and even some pubs offer camping for the weekend. If you don’t have your own tent then look out for “Glamping” packages where you stay in a pre-pitched tent.

Hotels

There are a number of hotels located in the area around Goodwood, however these do get booked well in advance. Many increase their prices for popular weekends, so expect to pay more than usual if you do manage to find a room.

Chichester is the closest town to Goodwood and there are a number of hotels here. There are plenty of locations along the south coast that are conveniently located too, such as Bognor Regis, Portsmouth and Worthing.

B&Bs and other accommodation

Another good option for somewhere to stay is a local B&B. Many of the pubs nearby offer rooms as well, although these too can be quite pricey and book up quickly.

One of the best places to find accommodation is AirBnB, although sites like Booking.com are useful too. It’s also worth contacting venues directly to ask if they will take bookings early or put you on a waiting list.

How to get to Goodwood Revival

While most people drive to Goodwood, there are also several alternative ways to get there if you don’t want to drive. Goodwood gives full details and directions on their website, however here’s a brief summary.

Car

Driving to Goodwood is the most popular way to get there, which isn’t surprising as most visitors are car enthusiasts. If you drive, there is plenty of free parking available in two large public car parks. There’s also a disabled parking area.

Tax-exempt or pre-1966 vehicles also have their own dedicated parking area, although this does require booking in advance.

Car parking is on grass fields, so bear this in mind if your car is particularly low-slung although most sports cars are absolutely fine. If the weather is wet the grass can get quite muddy, so bring appropriate footwear if that’s the case.

Goodwood puts in place various road-closures and one-way systems to manage traffic during the weekend. Once you get near to Goodwood don’t rely on your Sat-Nav as this may take you down routes that are temporarily closed. There are plenty of signs and marshalls to guide you though.

Motorcycle

If you prefer 2 wheels rather than 4 there is dedicated bike parking with hard-standing. There is also storage for bike helmets available. This is usually at the entrance to the car park, but if not, there should be one at Gate 12, near Woodcote corner.

Bus

If you choose to take a bus, ensure you get off at Chichester Train station. From here you can take one of the regular shuttle buses to the circuit. These operate between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. and drop-off/collect from a terminus near the Bonhams auction located at ‘Over the Road’.

Train

The nearest train station to Goodwood is Chichester, from where you can take advantage of the free shuttle bus service to and from the circuit. These operate between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.

There’s a direct mainline service from London Victoria which takes around 1 1/2 hours, or you can travel from London Waterloo via Havant. There are also various local train services.

Taxi

If you’re staying locally and don’t fancy driving then taking a taxi is an option. There’s a dedicated drop-off and collection point at Car Park D, which is closest to Gate 12, near Woodcote corner.

It’s a busy weekend so I’d advise booking your taxi in advance from one of the local taxi firms.

Helicopter

Not only is Goodwood a motor racing circuit, but it’s a functioning aerodrome too. This means it’s very easy to fly in if you are fortunate enough to have access to a helicopter or aircraft.

Even if you don’t own your own helicopter, a number of helicopter charter companies offer flights to and from Goodwood from locations closer to London.

What to wear at Goodwood Revival

For many visitors to Goodwood Revival, putting together their outfit is as much fun as the event itself. While you can spend a lot of time and effort putting together different outfits for each day, it isn’t essential. Don’t feel you have to spend all your spare weekends browsing vintage markets. I’ll be writing another article to cover the Goodwood Revival dress code in more detail, so check back soon!

Dress Code

Officially there is no compulsory dress code, however the majority of visitors do dress in period style. The period is meant to be between 1948 to 1966 when racing took place on the circuit.

How much effort you put into your outfit really depends on you. You can put together a fantastic outfit using vintage clothes and accessories, or just go for a pair of chinos, blazer and a shirt. Even jeans and a plain t-shirt would blend in. Just avoid trainers and modern F1 team regalia and you’ll be OK.

I would highly recommend making the effort as it adds to the enjoyment if you do. I remember turning up to my first Revival in casual clothes and really felt like I was missing out.

Some people think that you need to wear fancy dress at Revival, however this really isn’t the case. There is a subtle difference between dressing as a 1960s Mod and a full-on Las Vegas Elvis.

Due to Goodwood’s history as a WWII airfield it’s common to see people dressed in period RAF uniforms. This is always a good option, but don’t feel you need to dress like you’ve just stepped out of your Spitfire.

There’s even an on-site hairdresser where you can book an appointment for a vintage-style hair-do!

Top Tips

• Wear comfortable shoes. The walk into the circuit from the car park alone is quite a hike and if you’re going to make the most of your visit you’ll be walking a fair bit. If you’re walking further out around the circuit there is a lot of grass, uneven ground and gravel.
  
  If you want to wear high-heels or vintage footwear then I’d advise taking another more comfortable pair to wear for getting in and out of the circuit. Your feet will thank me by the end of the day!
• Prepare for the weather. Mid-September in the UK can give quite varied weather, especially at Goodwood which seems to have it’s own micro-climate. I’ve experienced heatwaves, torrential downpours and chilly temperatures.
  
  Unless you’ve got a grandstand ticket or access to one of the enclosures, there isn’t a huge amount of shelter and it can be quite exposed.
  
  Mornings and evenings can be quite chilly, so it’s worth taking a warm jacket, scarf and hat. If you have grandstand tickets then a blanket is useful to keep you warm while seated.
• Take a vintage-style bag. It’s handy to take a small backpack or bag to carry around your programme, extra layers and snacks. If you’ve spent time picking out a vintage outfit then don’t spoil it with a North Face bag – treat yourself to something that blends in.

What races take place at Goodwood Revival?

Over the course of the weekend there are 16 races scheduled to take place. 14 of these are for cars and 2 for motorcycles. Each race features a packed grid full of vintage racing cars from the worlds of Formula 1, Le Mans and touring cars. Many are driven by famous drivers – this year the entry list includes Karun Chandhok, Tom Kristensen and Dario Franchitti as well as Jimmie Johnson from NASCAR.

There are a number of famous faces from bike racing too, including 23-time Isle of Man TT winner John McGuinness, Michael Rutter and Leon Haslam.

I won’t list every single race as these are covered on Goodwood’s website, however here are a few of my favourites.

Sussex Trophy

Moving to the Friday evening slot from it’s usual Sunday evening closing position, the Sussex Trophy is for world championship sportscars that raced from 1955 to 1960. The incredible grid features legendary cars such as Jaguar D-Types, Maseratis and Lister Knobblys.

This 60 minute, 2-driver race takes place at the end of Friday and will finish as the sun sets over the Goodwood circuit. Not only is this one of the prettiest and most impressive grids to feature at Goodwood, it’s a great experience to watch them race as the sun goes down.

Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy

If you like motorcycles, this is the race to watch. And even if you don’t, it’s still worth watching as the riders always put on an amazing display of close racing on these vintage machines.

Taking place in 2 parts over Saturday and Sunday, the race features two riders sharing each bike, a Le Mans-style running start and legendary riders from all forms of motorcycle racing.

Stirling Moss Memorial Trophy

This is quite possibly the most valuable and glamorous grid of cars to race anywhere in the world. The race is packed full of cars from the early 1960s TT races such as the Jaguar E-Type, AC Cobra, Ferrari 250 and Aston Martin DB4 GT.

Not only does it feature an impressive array of cars, but the driver lineup is equally as impressive too, with many star drivers from the world of motorsport taking part.

Whitsun Trophy

The Whitsun Trophy features the fastest and most powerful cars to race at Goodwood Revival so is one not to be missed. Watching sportscars such as the Ford GT40, McLaren M1 and Lola T70 thunder around the circuit is an amazing experience.

As well as being the fastest race of the weekend, it’s also one of the loudest, with the sound of big V8s reverberating around the circuit.

St Mary’s Trophy

While not quite as fast as some of the other grids, the St Mary’s Trophy race for saloon cars makes up for that with frantic David-and-Goliath style battles. Nimble Minis take on the much larger and more powerful American cars like the Ford Galaxy. In between you have Lotus Cortinas battling with Jaguar Mk 2s, with plenty of sideways overtaking action.

This race is run over two parts, with the VIP drivers in action on Saturday and the owners of the cars taken them back out on Sunday.

RAC TT Celebration

Another famous race from Goodwood’s illustrious past, the TT Celebration features cars that raced in the RAC TT when it originally took part at Goodwood. The 2-driver, 60-minute race sees cars such as the Jaguar E-Type Lightweight, AC Cobra and Corvette Stingray battle it out on track.

Being one of the most prestigious races at Goodwood, the driver lineup is always impressive. Formula 1 stars battle it out with Le Mans, NASCAR, touring car, rally and Indy legends.

Settrington Cup

While not quite as fast as the other races over the weekend, the Settrington cup is no less exciting and action-packed. Taking place on the start-finish line, it features a grid of J40 pedal cars driven by kids – many of whose parents are racing full-size cars in other races over the weekend.

The race starts with a Le-Mans style running start and mixes fun with competitiveness and a dash of cuteness.

Things to do at Goodwood Revival

Goodwood Revival is much more than just a motor racing event and is packed with a variety of things to do and see. While many of these are similar from year to year, there are always small changes being made and new ideas being added each time.

For me, this is part of Goodwood Revival’s appeal. They stick to a tried and tested formula to make it an amazing event, with enough new things to make it interesting even if you attend every year.

Here are some of the highlights:

Over the Road

Located just outside the circuit, next to the main car parks, is Over the Road. Not only are there a wide range of stalls to browse through, but plenty of ways to entertain yourself. Here you can take a ride on a carousel in the Fairground, grab some food from one of the many food outlets or dance to a live band.

There’s even an outdoor “Drive-in” cinema where you can watch a classic film from the comfort of a vintage car.

It’s easy to get distracted by Over the Road during the day, but a good tip is to head there after the racing has finished as it stays open until later in the evening. It’s also open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the Thursday evening if you have a valid ticket for any of the 3 days.

Helicopter flight

If you fancy getting a unique birds-eye view of the event then you could book a helicopter flight experience. These last around 7-8 minutes and will give you a great opportunity to watch the racing action from the skies.

These can be booked for any of the 3 days – details are on the Goodwood website.

High Street

Located just inside the circuit as you walk across the bridge from Over the Road is the High Street. Here you can browse the various stalls offering gifts and accessories, as well as the vintage collections at the Arcade d’Aubigny market.

Keep an eye out for special book signings at some of the stalls as quite often there will be VIP guests appearing at certain points during the weekend.

Earls Court Motor Show

Located just behind the paddocks, the Earls Court Motor Show is a recreation of the original show held in London, complete with period Art Deco design.

It’s worth a visit as inside you’ll find various car manufacturers displaying their vehicles (old and new) as well as other displays too.

Just outside the motor show, you’ll also find a period garage display which is well worth a visit too.

Revive and Thrive

In recent years, Goodwood has really got on-board with the idea of repairing and re-using belongings. The Revive and Thrive area celebrates this, with a dedicated area focussed on how to repair and restore rather than replace.

Here you’ll find interviews, restoration workshops, fashion shows and boutiques specialising in vintage fashion.

Track parades and tributes

A central part of the weekend are the various track parades and tributes that Goodwood puts on each year. There will typically be several of these, focussing on a particular car model, driver or theme. Don’t worry if you miss one though, as they are usually repeated each day over the weekend.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to watch some very special vehicles being paraded around the circuit, usually with some special guests driving some of them.

This year, Goodwood will be honouring John Surtees – the only man to have won world championships on 2-wheels and 4. 60 years after he won the Formula 1 World Championship, the tribute will look back on his incredible and unique motorsport career, featuring cars and bikes from the various series he competed in.

What day is best to visit Goodwood Revival?

The best day to visit Goodwood Revival really depends on what you’re interested in. If you’re more interested in the races, these are mostly held on Saturday and Sunday with just 1 race taking part on Friday evening. There is still plenty of track action on Friday though as there are various practice sessions scheduled throughout the day.

If you are more interested in exploring the whole event without so much focus on the racing action, then Friday would be better. It’s a little less crowded than the rest of the weekend too, so easier to wander and explore.

However, if you’re keen to watch as much of the racing as possible, then either Saturday or Sunday are best. I’d say that the quality of the racing is similar across both Saturday and Sunday so it’s hard to pick a favourite.

Saturdays tend to sell out first, so depending on when you book tickets, you may only have the option to attend on Friday or Sunday.

It’s such a large event though that it is impossible to do it justice in one day. I’ve almost always attended for the whole 3-day weekend and even then it’s a struggle to do and see everything.

How to make the most of one day at Goodwood Revival

If you’ve decided to visit for one day, I’ve got a few tips to help you make the most of your time. It’s definitely worth spending a bit of time before you go to plan your day. Decide beforehand what you want to see, which races you want to watch and where you want to spectate. Once you’re there it’s pretty full-on, so it’s easy to get distracted and miss things.

When you’re there, make sure you take a moment to stop and take it all in. Goodwood as well as many of the visitors put so much time and effort into making it a special event, it’s well-worth just looking around and admiring their efforts.

Suggested itinerary

I’d recommend the following itinerary as a good starting point to make the most of your day:

• Get there early. Gates open at 8.30 a.m. (7.30 a.m. for GRRC members) but you’ll avoid the worst of the traffic if you’re in the car park earlier.
• This will give you time to admire the classic cars parked in the car parks.
• Once inside the main entrance, take a moment to admire the displays. Each year Goodwood celebrates a particular theme such as UFOs.
• Head to the paddock once you’re in, as these are quietist first thing.
• Visit the Earls Court Motor Show.
• Head to the aircraft display area located behind the paddocks.
• Cross the bridge at the end of the start-finish straight and walk out to the back of the circuit. It’s much quieter once you head past the first corner and you’ll easily get a decent view.
• Save a bit of time (and energy) by getting a ride back to the start-finish line on a tractor. These run anti-clockwise around the circuit perimeter and there are bus stops for these at various locations.
• Walk back through the main paddock and towards the runway – there are more displays in the centre of the circuit.
• Walk through the Lavant tunnel then walk anti-clockwise round the circuit towards Woodcote.
• Explore Over the Road and browse the varied stalls selling everything from cravats to classic cars. It’s also a good opportunity to grab some food at one of the many food stalls and be entertained by live music and dancing.
• Traffic leaving the event is usually pretty slow after the last race, so take your time leaving. By staying around a bit longer you can avoid the worst of the queues.

Food and drink at Goodwood Revival

When it comes to finding somewhere to eat or drink at Goodwood Revival, you will be spoilt for choice. There are countless options, ranging from burger stalls next to the circuit to a sit-down meal at Goodwood House. You can also grab pastries, cakes and ice creams if you get peckish during the day.

Catering stands

Even before you enter the circuit there are a good number of catering stands in the Over the Road area. These are mostly to be found just to the right of the bridge leading into the circuit. Once inside, there are various stalls dotted around the entire circuit so you’re never too far from somewhere to eat. Many of these offer vegetarian and vegan options too.

Food options include bacon rolls and burgers made from Goodwood’s own produce, Greek wraps and pizza. There are also stalls selling sweet treats such as donuts, pastries and cakes.

Gluten-free

A number of the catering stands offer gluten-free options, but my favourite is the Indonesian Coconut Curry stand located Over the Road. Not only are their meals dairy and gluten-free, but they’re delicious too.

Picnic hampers

If you prefer bringing your own picnic this is perfectly fine too, although the only downside is having to carry it around with you. If you’d prefer to stock up on provisions on your way to the circuit there are a couple of supermarkets not that far away in Chichester. Both Tesco and Sainsbury’s are nearby and open from 6 a.m. or 7 a.m respectively on Friday and Saturday. Bear in mind though that they open later on Sunday.

Another option is to order a picnic hamper online for collection at Goodwood. These must be ordered online in advance from Goodwood’s website. While not particularly cheap, they’re excellent quality and saves you the hassle of shopping and carrying it around yourself.

Restaurants

If you prefer something a little more luxurious than a picnic or takeaway then you can book a meal at one of several restaurants. These must be booked in advance, which you can do from Goodwood’s website.

Some of these options (e.g., Richmond Lawn) are within the circuit, while others are located at Goodwood House. Any meal options outside of the circuit include transport there and back.

This can be a lovely way to have a break from the crowds and on-circuit action, although if you’re keen to pack as much into your day at the circuit as possible, it may not be the best option.

Bars

There are a number of bars around the circuit too, as well as a large champagne tent opposite the Earls Court Motor Show near the paddocks. The food stands also sell bottled water and soft drinks.

Water refill points

The most eco and wallet-friendly option is to take your own water bottle. The good news is that there are a number of water refill points around the circuit. The bad news is that they aren’t always that easy to find. I’ve found in the past that they don’t always match the locations given on the map, so may take a bit of searching out sometimes.

They are sign-posted though, so keep an eye out for the signs or ask one of the friendly Goodwood helpers.

The best places to spectate

Although Goodwood Revival is very busy, there are various ways to ensure you get a good view of the action on track.

Grandstands

If you prefer to watch the racing action from the relative comfort and shelter of a grandstand, then there are a few options. Firstly you can buy a Roving Grandstand ticket. This gives you access to any of the roving grandstands around the circuit. As almost all the grandstands are roving (i.e., you can’t reserve a specific seat), this gives you the most flexibility.

I like to spend a few hours wandering around the circuit and stopping off at a different grandstand to watch each race.

The only downside to the roving grandstand ticket is that some of them (e.g., Woodcote and Supershell) tend to be very busy for the popular races. This does mean that sometimes you can’t get a seat, so my advice is to get a place early or head to one of the less-crowded grandstands further round the circuit.

The other option if you like to have a specific seat is to book the Chicane grandstand. The great thing about this is that in addition to your reserved seat in the Chicane grandstand, you also get roving access to all the other roving grandstands included.

Some grandstands are only available to members of the GRRC or if you’ve purchased a hospitality package in a venue with its own grandstand.

Free viewing points

Don’t feel that you need to purchase a grandstand ticket to get a good view of the action though. There is plenty of viewing around the perimeter of the circuit which is free to access.

You can even bring your own chair if you prefer not to stand all day.

Unlike circuits used for modern racing, Goodwood doesn’t have huge run-off areas or catch fencing. This means it is fantastic for watching the cars in action up close.

Viewing around the first (Madgewick) and last (Woodcote) corners, as well as overlooking the chicane, is usually very busy. Unless you’re there early it’s unlikely you’ll get a good spot next to the fence. However most people don’t venture past these two corners, so if you walk around the circuit in either direction, it won’t be long until you get a clear view right next to the fence.

Walking round to Fordwater and St Marys is well worth the effort. Not only are they much quieter than Woodcote and Madgewick, but they’re great places to watch the cars in action.

TV Screens

There are a number of TV screens dotted around the circuit and opposite grandstands. This means you can get a good idea of what’s going on during the race even if you’re out at the opposite side of the circuit.

Tips to make the most of your visit to Goodwood Revival

• Download the Goodwood Motorsport app for your smartphone. This includes a timetable (updated in real-time with any delays), circuit map and other useful information. This tends to be updated shortly before the event, so make sure you update it before you arrive.
• Buy a programme. While not particularly cheap, you do get a lovely booklet with plenty of information as well as a timetable and entry list. This also includes a radio ear piece so you can listen to the commentary wherever you are around the circuit. You can buy on the day, however it’s cheaper and quicker to buy a voucher online in advance which saves £5.
• Walk around the circuit. Not only do you get away from the crowds but it’s a fantastic way to watch the cars in action. If you’re not keen on walking a whole lap then you can get a lift back on one of the vintage tractors.
• Don’t rush and take it in. It’s easy to get carried away with everything that’s going on, but make sure to spend a moment to appreciate the outfits, decor and attention to detail that makes the event so special.
• If you forget suncream or need a blister plaster there is a small pharmacy stall located near the chicane.

I hope this article has been useful. If it has, or you have any tips of your own, then please feel free to add in the comments below!