International eXcellence at Goodwood Revival 2012-Ladies Day

International eXcellence at Goodwood Revival 2012-Ladies Day

International eXcellence at Goodwood Revival 2012-Ladies Day

Ladies Day at Goodwood Revival-Classic Car Racing, Classic planes
This must surely have been the most glorious Goodwood Revival Ladies day ever. The sun blazed down on the biggest collection of classic cars, planes and motorbikes in the world, keenly admired by thousands of vintage fashion coiffed and attired revellers.
This Revival hosted the most iconic cars of all time, a priceless collection of the greatest engines and car designs ever seen all in one place. Three Spitfires and two Hurricanes even buzzed overhead as we arrived, a unique and exceptional greeting. The stars of the show were the Silver Arrows who have not raced together since the Second World War. Merecedes Benz and Audi were persuaded to bring these magnificent beasts together again and it was a glorious sight. Silver rockets with tyres the width of your hand roaring along the track. These cars dominated the racing circuit before the war and blew away the competition with up to 600 bhp and capable of up to 200 mph in 1939.
The Silver Arrows were also parked in an authentic recreation of the pits from the Bremgarten circuit, scene of the 1938 Swiss Grand Prix with fans and drivers mingling excitedly.
The Goodwood race circuit is excellent with races every half hour and the stands are right on the track so you get to see the greatest racing legends close up as they tear around the little circuit. Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jackie Stewart, John Surtees and Barrie ‘Whizzo’ Williams, Jacky Icks, Roger Wills and Jochen Mass were all there, surrounded by eager fans.
There is a strict Vintage fashion theme and whilst I am the first to groan at that, almost everyone goes to great effort to dress in extravagant 40's and 50's style, from the starlets of Hollywood to Land Girls to RAF pilots with everything in between. There were vintage shops too, and hair salons, so you could have your hair and make up done professionally, and really look the part. It does feel like you have either stepped out of an HG Wells time machine or trespassed onto the set of the latest period war movie. Dressing up is an essential part of the fun and should absolutely be adhered to. It truly is a wonderful family event that evokes the racing and social past of post war England and when the sun shines like it did that day it is a heavenly day out.
My favourite is the Freddie March Spirit of Aviation aeronautical ‘concours d’elegance’ where we found all the wonderful planes that evoke exploration and adventure straight out of the old Boys Own tales. A Catalina, a Supermarine Seafire, a Yak II, a Douglas Skyraider, a BE2 (of Biggles fame) and a Beech Staggerwing whilst the flying display overhead starred Spitfires, Mustangs, Hurricanes and Thunderbolts. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight also performed an aerial battle as the sun set in the magnificent blue skies above.
My advice is to book a good couple of seats in the stands that you can share with friends but make your base by the Spirit of Aviation enclosure and the Pimms Bus which is the best bar there. Take a proper period picnic hamper and drinks trolley with picnic blankets. Then wander around the different areas, period fun fair, dance tent, wonderful shops and absorb the heady atmosphere whilst enjoying the swing band and the all girl crooners as the fantastic classic car legends battle it out in mechanical marvels with no computer needed.
Get all the latest information on events, car, planes, bikes and drivers and much more here: http://www.goodwood.co.uk
tags: Stirling Moss, Lord March, Yves de Contades, Classic cars, spirit of aviation, Jackie Stewart, Goodwood Revival, Ladies Day, formula One, racing cars, Mercedes, Audi.