#GoodwoodMotorCircuit

The origins of the Goodwood Motor Circuit lie in a former military airfield in West Sussex. Twelve years before the circuit opened, Goodwood had already hosted its first motorsport event, when a hill climb was organised in 1936 for a small group of pre-war Lancia enthusiasts by Freddie March, the 9th Duke of Richmond. The Motor Circuit officially opened on 18 September 1948, hosting Britain’s first professionally organised post-war motor-racing meeting at a permanent venue. Motor racing had been largely absent from Britain since Brooklands closed in 1939 following the outbreak of the Second World War, and public enthusiasm for its return was considerable: 85 drivers and more than 15,000 spectators attended Goodwood’s inaugural meeting. From 1948 to 1966, Goodwood became one of Britain’s leading racing venues. At the heart of its calendar were the British Automobile Racing Club Members’ Meetings, 71 of which were held during the circuit’s original period of operation. These club events gave mainly amateur competitors the opportunity to race a wide variety of cars around one of Britain’s fastest circuits. Goodwood also hosted major international events, including non-championship Formula One races for the Richmond, Goodwood and Glover Trophies, the Lavant Cup, and the News of the World and Sunday Mirror Trophies. Sports-car racing was equally important, with seven RAC Tourist Trophy races—two counting towards the World Sportscar Championship—and the celebrated Goodwood Nine Hours, held in 1952, 1953 and 1955. Running from 3 p.m. until midnight and beginning with a Le Mans-style start, all three editions were won by Aston Martin, first with the DB3 in 1952 and then with the DB3S in 1953 and 1955. In August 1966, after eighteen years of competition, Goodwood closed to contemporary motor racing, although the circuit remained in use for testing and other motoring activities. Its racing heritage was later revived through the Goodwood Revival, which has brought the atmosphere and machinery of the circuit’s original 1948–1966 era back to life.

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We'll tell the story of this circuit on the occasion of its anniversary or when it will reach a sufficient number of cars.

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