Goodwood Revival steps back in time

Spectators in period dress helped to make the motor circuit near Chichester look like a giant film set as the world-famous historic racing and vintage culture event got under way today.

The sold-out three-day celebration of Goodwood’s heyday from 1948-66 will see up to 150,000 people leave behind the modern world to watch a packed programme of racing.

Famous faces getting behind the wheel of identical 85hp Austin A35s in practice for the St Mary’s Trophy included Mr Bean star Rowan Atkinson, Olympic cycling legend 
Sir Chris Hoy and ex-F1 driver David Coulthard.

Coulthard said: ‘It’s an incredible event and a real privilege to be here.

‘But Goodwood is a track that you have to show respect to and I’ve been told that if you go on the grass these cars can roll. That doesn’t fill me with confidence!’

Tomorrow and Sunday see more racing, parades and demonstrations, plus a Bonhams classic car auction, a fairground and a best-dressed contest.

Meanwhile overhead there are Battle of Britain Memorial Flight displays by Spitfires, Hurricanes and a Lancaster bomber, honouring Goodwood’s past as wartime air base RAF Westhampnett.