Chichester, 16th - 18th of October, 2020 |
Certainly it was a strange feeling entering the circuit in the morning after not spending time in the inevitable
traffic jam surrounding Chichester even well before the gates open, then seeing the paddocks lacking the
usual spectators surrounding the most interesting cars, but the most difference was out at the track without
any grandstands and without people setting up their chairs at the fences to watch the races while doing their
picnic. Looking down the main straight not a single person aside the marshals could be seen as most of the
mechanics or drivers gathered in the chicane during their time off. Although the great atmosphere of the
Revival with the thousands of period dresses and the numerous activities off track were missed the racing
itself was as great as ever showing that the fast Goodwood circuit is perfect for close entertaining racing in
the various classes. |
More successful at La Sarthe was Porsche who’s first Le Mans victory was celebrated this year with the 50th
anniversary of the 1970 success of the 917. The winning Porsche Salzburg livered car that won the Hampton
Court concours a few weeks earlier could be seen as well as one of only 4 cars to win Le Mans twice, the
yellow New Man livered Porsche 956B. The link between the previous Jaguar parade and the Porsches was
the Porsche WSC-95, a modified Jaguar XJR-14 chassis ran with a Porsche engine entered by Joest racing
who also entered the formerly mentioned 956B. |
After a touching speech from the Earl of March remembering his great career Marc Knopfler performed the
guitar theme of the movie “Local Hero” called “Coming Home”, a very appropriate choice for the relation of Sir
Stirling to Goodwood. |
So after three days of racing and entertaining one has to come to the conclusion that Goodwood can deliver
exciting racing even in these times, the prestige of the main events like the RAC TT Trophy is even without
public enough to bring in all the big names and historic racers to the fast circuit. But attending the weekend
made it clear that the Revival is far more than racing and that this can only be a temporary solution to get over
the time. Not only is the atmosphere missing but also the financial task of organizing an event of this size is
not possible without the ticket sale in the usual number. So one can not only wish all the spectators that they
will only miss one edition this year and that the Earl of March can welcome them back next year to keep the
biggest and probably best classic car event in the calendar alive for the years to come. |
Lotterer had his big moment winning the last race of the weekend, the prestigious RAC TT teamed up with
Frederic Wakeman in the Lister Costin Jaguar. |
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Being an online live stream event without public this also gave new opportunities that would not be possible
with thousands of fans on the old track, so elements of the hill climb with the shoot-out were added targeting
the track record with Formula 1 cars and endurance racers that never took the track under their tires before.
Add the popular drift challenge and the rally stage plus a few high speed demonstrations and you have a very
entertaining weekend, both for the drivers who are eager to have some fast laps in their car this year and the
spectators at home sitting at their computers enjoying a cup of coffee or a glass of wine watching the action
and dreaming of better times. |