It feels like a fever dream. You know it’s real, but you just can’t seem to believe it. It’s not just every museum-quality racecar you’ve ever seen pictures of—many valued in the millions—actually racing around the track in fury, but it’s also the traffic jam of classic cars of all makes and models in every direction. Vintage motorcycles rev down the narrow lanes, old double-decker buses transport people around the grounds, World War II-era fighter planes scream overhead, old military surplus vehicles are randomly parked about, and most incredibly of all, thousands of attendees are dressed in period clothing from the 1930s-1960s. That’s right, everyone: men, women, children, racers, mechanics, vendors, employees—all donning authentic, retro-style clothing.
Here at the Goodwood Revival in England, there’s a strict dress code and it’s enthusiastically embraced by legions of fans. Most gentlemen wear vintage-style suits, ties and hats, or classic D-Day military regalia, and ladies wear dresses, stockings, heels and hats, or Rosie the Riveter-type garb. Even the children are dressed up like they’re on the set of Narnia.
The entire spectacle is the closest thing to being transported in a time machine you’ll ever experience. And that’s not even mentioning that the grounds of Goodwood Estate, where the event takes place, are actually an ancient manor and family home of the Duke of Richmond—the event’s host. His racetrack hosted real grand prix races under his father’s tenure with some of motorsport’s greatest names, and his airfield housed a squadron of Spitfires that fought in the Battle of Britain.
There is nothing contrived or cosplay about Revival whatsoever. It’s historically and culturally the most authentic—and the greatest—classic motorsports event in the world. Not to be confused with other annual events hosted at the Goodwood Estate in Chichester (about 90 minutes southwest of London), like the Festival of Speed (for modern motorsports) or the Goodwood Cup (for horse racing) held in summer, the Goodwood Revival is a three-day event held each September and is without peer in the world of historic motoring.
As one lady said it so perfectly, “Goodwood Revival is like living inside an episode of Downton Abbey but with motor racing.”
When I first went to Revival, back in 2010, it felt like I was the only American and that I’d been let in on the greatest secret in classic motorsport. Now, 16 years later, that initial feeling of euphoric disbelief still exists, but Revival has finally been “discovered” by my countrymen and the rest of the world. No matter though, because it’s truly a case of “the more the merrier,” since everyone in attendance is an active participant in what feels like the world’s largest period movie set.
Programming for the Friday-through-Sunday event is essentially the same each day, so you’ll get the full Revival experience regardless of when you attend. Tickets are priced in tiers, offering a variety of access and services, such as different viewpoints of the racetrack, entry to the racing pits, or admittance to varying levels of hospitality.
My ticket included hospitality access to the Goodwood Mess, a large vintage-style military mess hall decorated with World War II-era Allied flags, banners, posters, and even ammo boxes and sandbags. It was staffed by affable employees dressed in military-style uniforms who served a delicious menu that was most assuredly better than any army cafeteria food from the 1940s. In keeping with the theme, everyone in the Mess was seated at long tables, which led to a surprising highlight: meeting and spending a good part of the day with the new Italian director of legendary design firm Bertone, the owner of a construction company in New Zealand, and the son of Algeria’s leading manufacturing family. At Revival, everyone is already on common ground due to an affinity for motor vehicles, so conversations flow freely and friendships grow organically.
With so much to see in every direction on the vast event grounds, attractions seem endless. Races run throughout the day, for both motorcars and motorcycles, many piloted by former F1 and MotoGP legends. The paddocks are where all the competition cars and bikes are prepped—you might encounter a 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB, worth $10 million, next to several others of its ilk. This year’s La Dolce Vita theme brought a stable of Maseratis from the golden age of racing and a mob of classic Vespas straight out of the Mod cult film Quadrophenia. There’s an airfield with original Spitfire Supermarine and P-51 Mustang warbirds and even a bandstand with live music and swing dancing.
You’ll also find tasteful vendor tents selling all kinds of collectibles, including old and contemporary artwork, vintage clothes, luggage, automotive-related antiques, and pop-up pubs serving Guinness on tap or cool gin and tonics. If that weren’t enough, there’s also an entire grassy field dedicated to a colorful old-time carnival that’s of course complete, with antique carnival rides like carousels, Ferris wheels, pipe organs, bumper cars and funhouses. Revival is nothing if not supremely authentic.
It’s all such a sensory overload that it somehow feels natural to casually walk by Nick Mason (the drummer of Pink Floyd) and Rowan Atkinson (the Mr. Bean actor), both there to race their vintage cars, or Hannah Waddingham (the team owner in Ted Lasso), or racing legends like Jackie Stewart, Jenson Button, and Mario Andretti.
Goodwood Revival isn’t just an event; it’s an immersive experience. From morning ’til night, there’ll never be a shortage of things to see and do. So if you appreciate classic motoring and the associated lifestyle, there is simply nothing better anywhere in existence. And I can promise you, days afterward, even months later, you’ll look back, smiling to yourself, wondering if it was all just a dream.
Goodwood Revival Tips & Info
Tickets: All three days sell out in advance every year, so buy well ahead of time and don’t forget to add a a hospitality package—it’s totally worth it. Having a place to sit, relax and chat, eat and drink, and, especially, take a break from the rain if the weather turns, will make the experience so much more enjoyable.
Accommodations: All the towns and villages around Chichester are also sold out a year in advance. So look for accommodations in cities within an hour’s radius, like Brighton (where I stayed) or Southampton.
Transportation: There’s no need to rent a car. Public transportation, including trains and buses, is excellent, and it’s easier than navigating event traffic and parking on your own. Even coming down from London on public transport for the day is totally doable.
Attire: Go all in on the period clothing, whether you’re channeling Downton Abbey, Patton, Grease or Ford v Ferrari. Not only does it add to the celebratory experience, but you’ll feel like a fish out of water otherwise. (Remember that to access the racing paddocks, men must wear a necktie and ladies a dress or skirt.)
Website: Goodwood Revival
Jared Zaugg can be found at the intersection of lifestyle, motoring, travel and culture.