Fuel, noise and nostalgia collided at the 82nd Goodwood Members’ Meeting — a weekend packed with sideways Minis, Le Mans legends, stunt crews and Bruno Senna behind the wheel of his uncle’s Lotus. From Edwardian monsters to Brad Pitt’s F1 film set, The European’s Mark G. Whitchurch reports from the heart of the action
For those in the know, motor racing at the Goodwood circuit in West Sussex is the finest you will experience anywhere in the world. Fashioned from an old Second World War Battle of Britain airfield, the circuit enjoyed a relatively short but heady stint as a contemporary circuit between 1948 and 1966 — a period celebrated by the Goodwood Revival each September, where the cars, racing and fashions all evoke this revered golden age of motorsport.
Surfing on the crest of the Revival’s reputation as the pinnacle of historic motor racing experiences, the Goodwood Estate’s heir, the Duke of Richmond and Gordon CBE, shrewdly introduced a spring meeting, bookending the annual historic motorsport calendar. A continuation of the popular Members’ Meetings that took place during the circuit’s heyday after the war, the 82nd running took place over the weekend of 12th and 13th April.
Where the often sold-out Revival strictly boxes off racing to cars that competed before the circuit’s original closure in 1966, the Members’ Meeting removes those shackles. The crowds are restricted (you have to be a member or associate member to buy tickets), and today’s best racing drivers are invited to compete in some of the most expensive cars in the world.
The result? Some of the closest, most spectacular racing you’ll find anywhere. And the 82nd Members’ Meeting was no exception: twelve spectacular races, intertwined with parades, demonstrations and shoot-outs that spanned the full history of motoring.
Enter the hallowed gates and you’re instantly mingling with a crowd of smartly dressed gents and glamorous women—very country-set. This is an occasion for spectators as much as it is for drivers, and as with the Revival, there’s a dress code that might feel OTT outside the circuit but feels completely right within.
A heady smell of fuel and rubber mixes with the alluring aroma wafting from the boutique-style food stalls. The visuals will have you rubbing your eyes in disbelief—a row of multi-million-pound Gordon Murray T.50 hypercars will stop you in your tracks, while on track, cars worth in excess of £10 million are being pushed to their limits, often proudly displaying their racing bruises. You quickly learn to gloss over the display of wealth—it’s simply part of the experience.
Where to start? Hospitality isn’t necessary, but it certainly helps to have a base and a prime spot to watch the action. My thanks to LGT Wealth Management, whose hospitality was second to none. Thoughtful, relaxed, and right in the heart of the event—it added a touch of calm to a day of total sensory overload.
A wander around the open paddocks (access that’s restricted at the Revival) helps you take stock of the weekend’s racing. Motorbikes from the ’70s and ’80s, modern GT3s from the last decade, three touring car grids, historic single-seaters and endurance legends are all here—capped off with a grid of Edwardian racers, all over 100 years old.
Machines, memories and mayhem
Our first ‘pause and admire’ moment was the 2025 Jota Cadillac V-Series R, the very car that the British privateer team will race at this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours. With its American-style 5.5-litre V8 engine and hybrid electric motor, it acutely demonstrated the advancement of technology—making the Goodwood circuit look like a go-kart track by virtue of the Caddie’s size and performance.
Back in the paddock, every direction presented a sensory distraction. Engines revving, we zig-zagged through the beautiful people to admire yet another unicorn of motoring.
Goodwood always knows how to strike the right note: a Guinness pop-up pub under the blossom trees served as a fitting tribute to the life and achievements of Irish F1 legend Eddie Jordan, who passed away in March.
Socialising with past Goodwood acquaintances was cut short by the guttural roar of a modern GT3 racer as practice began for the shoot-out. In essence, it was barely-yesterday’s top-flight endurance racers—like the Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 and Audi R8 LMS—being driven by current touring car and endurance pilotes on a single hot lap of the circuit. Precision stuff. No space for error. Victory went to Andrew Jordan in a Chevrolet Corvette Z06R GT3, with a staggering time of 1:13.618.
Our first race? Those Edwardian leviathans—land-speed record holders from France and Italy, aero-engined specials, all historically significant and all driven like they were stolen. The drivers are a band of brothers who echo the spirit of pioneering motoring with grit and determination, keeping history very much alive—and in some cases, spitting flames.
The race was narrowly won by Julian Majzub in a 1916 Sunbeam ‘Indianapolis’, who was being drawn in at ten seconds per lap by Mark Walker in the 1905 Darracq 200hp, until an unfortunate incident saw the Darracq hit the banking and Walker thrown clear. Thankfully, he was in one piece—and no doubt the Darracq will be back in rude health before long.
Family, fashion and Ferrari bargains
With two teenage daughters in tow, it was brilliant to see female representation in this mostly masculine world. For them, the women were just as much of a draw as the machines were for me.
We cheered on Guinness World Record holder Maria Costello, who was riding Chris Wilson’s Honda CB750R in the Hailwood Trophy. Aimee Watts, daughter of 1980s touring car driver Patrick Watts, was racing the Brundle Motorsport Mini Cooper S. Although nervous—she hadn’t completed many laps of the circuit—she pushed on through the field in the Whitmore Cup for 1960s touring cars, enjoying a great battle with Henry Mann in a Lotus Cortina. The race was won by Le Mans winner Guy Smith, also in a Cortina. A fabulous race for spectators, with classic Minis ganging up on the Cortinas, which had the edge in a straight line while the Minis clawed back time in the corners—pure cat and mouse.
While a brace of Gordon Murray Automotive T.50s screamed around the circuit with a soundtrack reminiscent of a grid of V10-engined F1 cars, we explored the Bonhams auction of fine automobiles. The classic car market’s been bearish in recent years, and there were some relative bargains to tempt the pocket. I would have bought a 1932 MG Midget J2 Sports, which sold for just £15,525. Hindsight really is a bitch.
There were some strong results too—frantic bidding took a 1986 Ferrari Testarossa from its low estimate of £70,000 to just under £150,000. An ex-Eric Clapton 1975 Ferrari 365 GT4 Berlinetta Boxer looked like good value at £178,250. But with money no object, I’d have been driving away in the 1967 Ferrari 330 GT, in Tour de France blue. Many thanks to the Bonhams staff for making us feel so welcome.
Retail therapy inevitably followed—unavoidable, given the company. Shoes, jewellery and hats were the order of the day, bought from the rows of beautifully presented stalls offering a complete purchasing experience to match the Goodwood lifestyle.
Hollywood moments and hero laps
Next up? A slice of Hollywood. Exclusive watchmaker IWC were promoting their partnership with the much-anticipated F1 movie starring Brad Pitt. Members of the crew were in attendance and a live stunt scene was filmed on track—just another demonstration of the variety on offer at the Members’ Meeting.
Back to the track action—first to witness the sensory explosion of Bruno Senna demonstrating his uncle Ayrton’s 1985 Lotus 97T. What a noise. And what a privilege to experience that piece of history in motion.
Close to sensory overload, we returned to the LGT hospitality to breathe and prepare for an afternoon of superb racing.
The Win Percy Trophy, a 45-minute, two-driver race for 1970s touring cars, saw current BTCC champion Jake Hill narrowly beat André Lotterer to first place. Driving Kerry Michael’s Ford Escort Mk2 RS2000, Hill slid his way around the track to the thrill of the crowds, while Lotterer did his best to keep up in a Volkswagen Golf GTi missing its fifth gear.
The Earl Howe Trophy took us back to the 1930s, with Le Mans-style British Racing Green Bentleys duelling with lighter, more nimble Frazer Nashes. Victory went to the newest car on the grid—a 1938 Alta Sports driven by Gareth Burnett.
The Moss Trophy produced some of the most entertaining racing of the weekend, with four-time IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti dicing with Harrison Newey (son of F1 design ace Adrian) in two near-identical 1960 Aston Martin DB4 GTs. In a class of their own, they drifted in unison around the Goodwood circuit in a scene more akin to dancing than racing. Superb car control saw Dario take the win—well deserved.
With clouds starting to gather after what had been a dry weekend of unforgettable racing, it was time to pack up and head for the car parks—another distraction in themselves, with visitors bringing everything from pre-war Alfa Romeos to a stunning Audi Quattro Sport rally car.
And my daughters’ parting words?
“Have you got our Festival of Speed tickets yet, Dad?”
I’ll book the tickets. They’ll start planning outfits. Same time next year.
Fact File: Goodwood Members’ Meeting
What is it?
The Members’ Meeting is a historic racing event held each spring at the Goodwood Motor Circuit in West Sussex. Unlike the Revival, it features a broader range of cars—everything from pre-war leviathans to modern GT3 machines—and is only open to GRRC members and their guests.
A brief history
- First held post-WWII as private race meetings for club members
- Reintroduced in 2014 by the Duke of Richmond
- Now an annual highlight in the historic racing calendar
- The 2025 edition marked the 82nd running
Where is it held?
Goodwood Motor Circuit, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0PH
Where to stay
- On-site glamping (book early)
- Nearby hotels: The Goodwood Hotel, Chichester Harbour Hotel, or luxury options in the South Downs
- Plenty of charming B&Bs in and around Chichester
How to get tickets
You’ll need to be a GRRC member or GRRC Fellow to access ticket sales. Visit www.goodwood.com/motorsport/members-meeting for details.
When’s the next one?
The 83rd Members’ Meeting is expected to take place in April 2026—exact dates to be confirmed.
Mark G. Whitchurch is a seasoned motoring journalist whose work—covering road tests, launch reports, scenic drives, major races, and event reviews—has appeared in The Observer, Daily Telegraph, Bristol Evening Post, Classic & Sports Car Magazine, Mini Magazine, Classic Car Weekly, AutoCar Magazine, and the Western Daily Press, among others. He won the Tourism Malaysia Regional Travel Writer of the Year in 2003 and is a member of The Guild of Motoring Writers.
Photos: Mark G. Whitchurch
