Goodwood has a habit of making time stand still. Each September, the Duke of Richmond’s estate is transformed into a mid-century world of motor racing, fashion and aviation — a place where tweed caps meet drum brakes, and V8 thunder mingles with swing music. The 2025 Goodwood Revival (12–14 September) was a weekend defined not only by evocative racing and heartfelt tributes, but also by the great British weather in all its unpredictable glory.
Rain and wind battered the Sussex circuit on Friday, while Saturday alternated between squalls and brief, defiant sunshine. By Sunday, the clouds finally broke, flooding the track in golden light. Umbrellas, wellies and sunglasses were all essential attire. Far from dampening spirits, the conditions amplified the spectacle: drivers, riders and fans embraced the elements, creating a Revival to remember.
A Farmer’s Son Remembered
The emotional core of the weekend came during a moving tribute to Jim Clark, marking sixty years since his second Formula 1 World Championship. Goodwood’s celebration captured both reverence and charm.
In a scene that could only happen at Revival, a flock of sheep paraded the grid before the start of the ceremony — a witty and affectionate nod to Clark’s farming roots in the Scottish Borders. Spectators huddled beneath umbrellas laughed and cheered as the animals trotted past the start line. Moments later, the sheep gave way to a parade of cars associated with Clark’s career: Lotus single-seaters, touring saloons and GT machinery glistening under a fleeting burst of sunshine. It was a uniquely Goodwood blend of nostalgia, humour and respect.
Racing Against the Weather
While the tributes stirred emotions, the racing tested nerve and skill. Revival’s competitive edge remains undimmed; there are no parade laps here. Across fifteen races on thirteen grids, drivers and riders faced shifting grip, standing water and sudden dry spells that transformed each session into a tactical battle.
The Freddie March Memorial Trophy, run on Friday evening, set the tone. A 60-minute, two-driver endurance, it unfolded under low clouds and persistent drizzle. Jaguar C-Types and Aston Martin DB3Ss bucked and slid through Madgwick, their drivers feeling for grip lap by lap. Pitstops were hurried, wind battering mechanics as they changed drivers in sodden overalls. Those who judged the changing conditions best were rewarded handsomely; others found themselves skating helplessly towards the grass.
Saturday’s Whitsun Trophy brought Can-Am muscle to a soaked circuit. Lola T70s and McLarens launched into the opening laps with staggering ferocity, throwing spray high into the air. The visceral spectacle of 1960s prototypes fighting for traction on a greasy surface had the crowd enthralled, every oversteer correction drawing audible gasps.
The Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy, run over two legs across the weekend, delivered some of the most captivating action. Saturday’s first part was held in treacherous conditions, riders guiding 1960s Grand Prix machinery through puddles and gusting winds. Manx Nortons, Matchless G50s and MV Agustas weaved through the spray, their riders perched on the limit of adhesion. Spray hung in the air like mist, while knees skimmed standing water at the apexes. Sunday’s deciding leg, run in bright sunshine, was a complete contrast: the bikes gleamed as they tore into Madgwick, engines howling as lead riders traded places in breathtaking, bar-to-bar combat. It was two-wheeled theatre — daring, skilful and unmistakably Revival.
By Sunday afternoon, the weather relented completely, allowing the Sussex Trophy to bask in golden light. Lister-Jaguar Knobblies and Lotus 15s danced through Goodwood’s fast sweepers, their polished curves catching the sun as if posed for a film reel. The Stirling Moss Memorial Trophy added its own drama when mid-race showers turned Lavant into a skating rink before drying to set up a frantic sprint to the chequered flag.
Every race carried its own story, shaped by the skies. Some were gritty exercises in survival; others, exhibitions of elegance and speed. All were unmistakably competitive.
Legends at the Helm
Once again, Revival’s grids featured a stellar line-up. Tom Kristensen, Derek Bell, Jenson Button, Dario Franchitti, Scott Dixon, Gordon Shedden, Tom Chilton, Jake Hill, Tom Chilton and Carlos Checa were among the star names swapping modern machinery for historic challenges.
Kristensen, the master of Le Mans, demonstrated exquisite car control in the sodden Freddie March Memorial Trophy. Button was visibly enjoying himself, drawing cheers as he power-slid an E-Type through Lavant in Sunday sunshine. Franchitti’s enthusiasm was infectious as he mixed with fans in the paddock, while Dixon’s measured aggression reminded everyone why he remains one of the most respected drivers of his generation.
But Revival isn’t just about famous names. Amateur racers, collectors and historic specialists shared grids with legends, creating a melting pot of talent that remains one of the event’s greatest strengths.
Heritage Meets Sustainability
Beneath the nostalgia lay a modern achievement. For the second consecutive year, every race ran on sustainable fuel, comprising at least 70 per cent advanced renewable components.
The varied weather offered the perfect test, and the results were emphatic: whether in standing water or on a bone-dry track, performance remained uncompromised. The cars and bikes sounded and smelt exactly as they should. Goodwood has proven that sustainability can sit comfortably alongside authenticity — a crucial step if historic motorsport is to thrive in the decades to come.
Off-Track Theatre
Away from the circuit, Revival retained its immersive magic. Crowds once again embraced period attire with gusto, umbrellas and macs layered over tweeds and tea dresses. The Revival Style Stage, led by Dita Von Teese, brought glamour between showers, while the Freddie March Spirit of Aviation gleamed against moody skies.
The VE Day 80th anniversary commemorations lent emotional weight, with military vehicles, street-party dancing and wartime music filling the paddock. The Bonhams Cars Auction saw collectors vie for rare machinery, the sound of gavel strikes mingling with distant engines.
Even the weather added to the authenticity. Mud underfoot, damp coats and sudden bursts of sunlight created a scene that felt closer to a sepia film reel than a modern event.
A Weekend of Contrasts
In the end, it was these contrasts that defined the 2025 Goodwood Revival. Rain and wind against moments of radiant sunshine. Sheep on the grid and Ferraris in full flight. V8 thunder and two-stroke shrieks. Nostalgia and innovation, seamlessly entwined.
As the final chequered flag fell on Sunday and the sun dipped low over the Downs, fans drifted away with damp shoes, tired smiles and full hearts. Once again, the Revival had honoured a legend, embraced the elements, and reaffirmed its status as the most evocative historic race meeting in the world.
