The Goodwood Revival Meeting 2026

In classic car circles, the Goodwood events have long been firmly established on the calendar. Even among them, however, the Revival occupies a special position. Since 1998, the Goodwood Motor Circuit and its surroundings have become the setting for a carefully staged journey back to the period when the circuit was active, from 1948 to 1966. For enthusiasts of historic racing machinery, it is certainly one of the most important events of the year.

“Only at THE Goodwood REVIVAL”

It is a phrase heard repeatedly over the course of the weekend, usually accompanied by a broad smile. The Revival is put together with remarkable attention to detail, and even after three days there always seems to be something new to discover.

This was my sixth visit in succession, and the event has lost little of its fascination. Historic images are recreated throughout the site: the famous Targa Florio slogans once painted on Sicilian houses, for example, appeared this year alongside the paddock.

Elsewhere, groups of actors mingle with visitors before suddenly staging short scenes inspired by the annual theme. In 2026, the Revival celebrated La Dolce Vita and Italian motoring culture. Some of the performances deliberately played with exaggerated cinematic clichés: sharply dressed “mafiosi”, a suspicious rolled-up carpet and theatrical street arguments formed part of an intentionally tongue-in-cheek interpretation of post-war Italy.

Italian food stalls, period posters and music continued the theme throughout the site. At the 1960s fashion show, Italian-inspired period clothing was accompanied by contemporary Italian hits.

Most importantly, the visitors themselves remain part of the scenery. Many arrived dressed as period Alfa Romeo or Fiat mechanics or referenced Italian fashion of the 1950s and ’60s in other ways. It is this participation that distinguishes the Revival from a conventional historic race meeting. Few other large classic-car events attempt to recreate an entire period on quite the same scale.

The World’s Most Famous Scooter Turns 80

The weekend also celebrated the 80th anniversary of Vespa, first introduced in 1946.

Around 300 pre-1967 scooters took part in the daily track-opening parade. Vespas made up the majority of the field, joined by contemporary machines from manufacturers including Lambretta, Italjet and Iso. Three rare Vespa 400 microcars added another reminder that the name was not confined entirely to two wheels.

Each morning, after the traditional aviation display, the scooters took to the circuit and briefly transformed an English September morning into something considerably more Italian.

Maranello Meets Modena

Racing remains the heart of the Revival. In keeping with this year’s Italian theme, one of the central contests brought Ferrari and Maserati together in the Lavant Cup.

The grid was reserved for machinery from the two Italian rivals. Ferraris including the 250 TR and 250 MM faced Maseratis from the period, with Frank Stippler among those pushing the Ferrari contingent towards the front.

In the end, however, Richard Wilson proved unbeatable in his Maserati 250S.

Cars of this calibre also demonstrate how closely historic motorsport and the collector market are connected. With important competition cars, documented history, specification, originality and period race provenance can be at least as significant as the model designation itself.

Heading to America

One of Goodwood’s major announcements in 2026 concerned its expansion into the United States. The Goodwood Road Racing Club of America is due to begin its activities in California in 2027, with its first headline event planned for Willow Springs Raceway in 2028.

Willow Springs entered a new chapter in 2025 when an affiliate of CrossHarbor Capital Partners acquired the circuit in collaboration with Singer Vehicle Design.

For Goodwood, the move represents a significant step. It also poses an interesting question: how much of the atmosphere that makes Goodwood distinctive can be transferred to California, and how much will have to develop its own American character?

The groundwork was already visible at this year’s Festival of Speed and Revival. Drivers with established reputations in the United States, including Jimmie Johnson, Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti, were joined by Aaron Shelby, representing the legacy of his grandfather Carroll Shelby, and four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Hélio Castroneves.

Another American chapter of motorsport history was commemorated on the circuit with the reunion of the three Ford GT Mk IIs that finished first, second and third at Le Mans in 1966.

Sixty years after Ford’s famous victory, the three cars once again ran together. On Sunday, Tom Kristensen, Derek Bell and Emanuele Pirro took part in the demonstration. Between them, the three drivers have won the 24 Hours of Le Mans 19 times: nine victories for Kristensen and five each for Bell and Pirro.

Celebrating Sir Jack Brabham

Goodwood also commemorated Sir Jack Brabham, marking both the centenary of his birth and 60 years since his third Formula 1 World Championship.

In 1966, Brabham became the first – and remains the only – driver to win the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship in a car bearing his own name.

Brabham had previously won the championship with Cooper in 1959 and 1960 before establishing his own operation. Together with engineer and business partner Ron Tauranac, he created one of the most successful independent teams of the period.

The Tauranac-designed Brabham BT19, powered by a Repco V8, carried Brabham to the 1966 title. A year later his teammate Denny Hulme won the Drivers’ Championship for Brabham.

For the Revival tribute, a selection of significant cars from Brabham’s career was assembled at Goodwood, including machinery from his Cooper years and cars carrying his own name. The Repco-Brabham was demonstrated by his son David Brabham, himself a successful racing driver.

Goodwood also produced a short film about Brabham’s career, which is available on its YouTube channel.

Lotterer and Halusa Win the RAC TT

For anyone less familiar with historic racing, the Royal Automobile Club TT Celebration is one of the most prestigious races of the Goodwood weekend. Its combination of significant GT machinery and professional drivers invariably produces one of the Revival’s strongest grids.

Much of the attention this year centred on Tom Ingram. The two-time British Touring Car Champion started from pole position in a Shelby Cobra and was aiming for a third RAC TT victory.

The opposition included Dario Franchitti and Mike Whitaker in the TVR Griffith, a car with previous TT-winning form, as well as Rob Huff and Richard Meins in a Jaguar E-type semi-lightweight.

The compact TVR made the best start and remained in contention until the mandatory pit stop. Franchitti’s challenge then suffered a setback when the car experienced problems restarting during the driver change.

As the race developed, André Lotterer and Lukas Halusa worked their way through the field in their Jaguar E-type Lightweight “low drag” coupé and ultimately took victory.

Even with three Le Mans victories and two FIA World Endurance Championship titles behind him, Lotterer’s reaction showed how much a RAC TT victory at Goodwood still means to a professional racing driver.

The 2026 Revival again demonstrated why Goodwood occupies such an unusual position in the historic-car world. The quality of the competition is important, but so too is the combination of original machinery, period surroundings and an audience willing to become part of the event rather than merely watch it.

Roy Salvadori’s often-quoted line therefore still seems appropriate:

“Give me Goodwood on a summer’s day and you can keep the rest.”

Text & Pictures: Máté Boér

Author: Christian Plagemann

Christian Plagemann is one of two founders and Managing Directors of Classic Trader. Dream ride: Lamborghini Miura Current Ride: Mercedes-Benz 180 D Ponton View all posts by Christian Plagemann →