As a celebration of all things retro, the Goodwood Revival has to be the finest automotive festival of its genre. If you have even a smidgen of petrol in your veins, this event with its magnificent men, women and roaring machines should be on your bucket list. Situated close to the historic town of Chichester, the rolling downs of West Sussex come alive for three days with the bark, thump, roar and rumble of exquisite motorcycles and cars making their way to Goodwood.
The Goodwood track opened in 1948 and held its last race in 1966, and the Revival recreates its short but active life which means dressing up in period style is taken very seriously. On entering the venue, one is instantly transported back in time: women in bouffants, beehives, polka dot dresses; and the men in tweed, brogues, military uniforms and of course the Mods and the Rockers in their signature style. Another popular option for both men and women are classic mechanic overalls worn with a shirt and tie. The Royal Enfield team blended right in with their military uniforms riffing off the motorcycle despatch riders of World War 2: overcoats, riding breeches, combat boots in hues of Olive topped up by peak hats, sidecaps and berets set at a jaunty angle!
The Royal Enfield marquee is fortuitously located with the hustle and bustle of the Goodwood High Street in front and at the rear, a reserved parking lot filled with hundreds of marvellous classic and vintage machines as far as the eye can see. It also has a special parking space for riders who have ridden into Goodwood on their Royal Enfield Continental GTs from London. It's a perfect setting to unveil a preview of Royal Enfield's new apparel collection that takes its inspiration from the despatch riders - DonRs. Royal Enfield's special guest to unveil the collection was the amazingly spry 93-year-old George Brown who was a despatch rider for the Royal Corps of Signals in WW2. The motorcycle that he rode is also on display at the marquee - the Royal Enfield 350cc WD/CO. More than 22,000 WD/COs were supplied to the Army, Navy and RAF during the war.
The first day is a blur, too much for the mind to absorb. Over at the paddock area one is constantly drawn to the scream of expensive machinery racing wheel to wheel around the track that draws one like a moth to a flame. Then there are the scores of Maseratis, Jaguar D-types and other series in racing paddocks that are being celebrated at Goodwood this year, the Rockers hanging tough around their cafe racers versus the Mods lolling indulgently on their scooters, lovingly maintained old aircraft that one can touch and feel parked on lush grass. Tescos has a period correct store, candy floss abounds and then there are the locally produced brews. As the day regretfully drew to a close with the smell of oil and burnt clutches in the air, we have no doubt that the Goodwood Revival has soul, magic, authenticity and a passion that we'll be back to tap again tomorrow.
