Goodwood Revival

Goodwood House and its estate, home of the Earl and Countess of March, are synonymous with some of the finest aspects of English history. A magnificent mansion in a parkland setting at the foot of the South Downs, it was the seat of the 1st Duke of Richmond, born in 1672 and son of King Charles II. More recently, it was home to RAF Westhampnett during the Battle of Britain and it was from here that Douglas Bader flew his last mission.

But Goodwood is also synonymous with racing, both of cars and horses. It was the 9th Duke of Richmond, Freddie March, who created Goodwood's motor circuit, using the perimeter track of the wartime airfield to host the first post-war event at a permanent circuit.The spectating public, having been starved of track action since Brooklands closed in 1939, were enthusiastic and some 15,000 attended that first event. Fifty years later to the exact day, in the September of 1998, the circuit was reopened for the purpose of historic motor racing by the Duke's grandson, the present Earl of March.

Hence the creation of the Goodwood Revival, a three day event each September which commemorates motor racing legends, both cars and drivers, from the period 1948 to 1966 along with aircraft associated with that period and the end of World War II. Following the first day's practice and qualifying track action, Saturday and Sunday each feature eight races, brimful of action and spectacle, interspersed with track parades and air displays.The jewel in the crown is undoubtedly the one-hour RACTT Celebration race with a starting grid line-up which has been valued at a staggering £85 million, driven by some of the greatest names in motor racing history.

All of this and more is captured in this stupendous new book by master-photographer Andy Stansfield, containing over 140 action-packed images which exude nostalgia for the glories of Britain's motor racing past.

144 pages / 144 illustrations / hardbound