There aren’t many moments we feel as proud as when we see a car we curated being used as intended, especially when the car in question is an old Ferrari. You can then imagine that showing up at this year’s Ferrari Cavalcade and seeing four cars very close to our hearts eating up the miles in Italy was almost tear moving. Four very special Ferrari’s we found new caretakers for were back in their birth country, and they didn’t skip a beat while driving up the dolomites.
The 81st Goodwood Members’ Meeting
The Members’ Meeting is without doubt my favourite annual Goodwood event. Whilst being the lesser-known sibling of the Festival of Speed (July) and Revival (September) it has the advantage of smaller visitor numbers and a more relaxed and authentic atmosphere. The English spring weather can be a risk, but never seems to deter the fans, even snow in 2018 didn’t stop the show although I do remember almost losing my car to the freezing mud of the car park …
The Goodwood Members’ Meeting dates to the very start of motor racing at Goodwood, when in 1948 the Duke of Richmond started a race weekend for members of the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC). These Member’s Meetings continued up until 1966 when the circuit officially closed, but the tradition was revived in 2014 and they have been a popular annual feature ever since.
Smaller crowds, fewer entry passes, and enthusiastic crowds all distinguish the event and this year the spring weather made for a perfect weekend of motorsport.
Where Revival limits itself to pre-1966 racing, corresponding to the closure of the circuit, Member’s Meeting allows races outside of this timeframe, including the highly competitive Gordon Spice Trophy for Group 1 Touring cars from 1970-82 and Derek Bell Cup for 1000 cc Formula 3 cars from 1964-1970. In addition to the races there are a series of demonstrations throughout the two-day event including, this year, a brilliantly curated Can-Am celebration.
There was thrilling racing throughout the weekend with the highlight on track undoubtedly coming from the Surtees Trophy thanks to a tense battle for podium places between at least five cars, ultimately decided in the final laps between the two leading Chevron-BMW B8’s. Racing was competitive but pleasingly free from the on-track upsets which have occasionally marred previous Goodwood events.
The Graham Hill Trophy fielded was another highlight with a dazzling performance from Miles Griffiths appropriately behind the wheel of a TVR Griffith who saw off the ever-dominant Cobras to secure his pole position. It was also pleasing to see a 904 GTS driven very competitively by Oliver Bryant alongside Yukinori Suzuki’s very original 906.
Members’ Meeting delivers all the Goodwood experience with added variety and fewer visitor numbers, allowing you to really appreciate the event on and off track. The organisation in typical Goodwood style is exceptional, indeed no other event can really compete when it comes to the scale and execution, but Members’ Meeting is all about quality and what happens on the circuit, which makes for a uniquely enjoyable experience. If you have never been it’s a must do for 2025.
Next stop on the calendar is the 14th Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, starting on the 10th May which will see historic grand prix car from the 1920s through to 1985 compete on arguably the most famous grand prix circuit in the world. Goodwood Festival of Speed takes place from the 11th-14th July.
By Paul Darvill, photos thanks to Chloé Blaix – Long Courrier
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