Goodwood celebrates 75 years of motorsport

General Guides 

If you've never been to Goodwood then this is the year to introduce yourself to one of the biggest events in the motorsport calendar.

The classic cars, racing cars, famous faces, and the iconic hill climb competition draw in thousands of visitors. This year, all of that motoring heritage comes together to celebrate.

Because 2023 sees the 75th anniversary of the Goodwood circuit, the 30th anniversary of the Festival of Speed, and the 25th anniversary of the Goodwood Revival.

Goodwood has recently announced ‘Goodwood 75', a year of celebrations across its motorsport events and venues in 2023, paying tribute to the incredible history and heritage of motorsport at Goodwood. The biggest celebration is that of the Motor Circuit, which reaches its 75th anniversary in 2023.

Squadron Leader Tony Gaze - an Australian fighter pilot based at RAF Westhampnett during the Second World War – first suggested to the 9th Duke of Richmond that the airfield's perimeter track would make an excellent race circuit. The duke agreed and the circuit was officially opened in September 1948 when 15,000 spectators gathered to watch the action. Incidentally, this was also the day and track that saw Stirling Moss win his first ever race.

In its 75 year-motorsport history, Goodwood has seen some remarkable feats of engineering and some pretty impressive driving. From the trailblazing drivers who raced here in the early years, the iconic F1 cars that tested on the Circuit, to the record-breaking run from the McMurtry Spéirling at the 2022 Festival of Speed and the pioneering use of synthetic fuels at the Revival.

Open year-round, visitors to the Goodwood Motor Circuit will see a series of nods to the 75th anniversary during 2023. There will be a number of photo moments across the Circuit from Spring 2023, where visitors will be able to take a photo as part of the #Goodwood75 campaign and create their very own moment in history. On Sunday 4 June, the Circuit will also host the ‘75th Sunday' Breakfast Club with a specially selected grid of cars from the last 75 years.

The 75th anniversary of the Circuit falls on Monday 18 September 2023, which also happens to be the 25th anniversary of the Goodwood Revival.

Lotus to be features at the Revival

Celebrating the Motor Circuit's heyday, the Revival (8-10 September) will see a gathering of cars that originally competed in 1948. Lotus, which itself celebrates 75 years in 2023, will be the honoured marque at the Goodwood Revival, with a fabulous line-up of cars overseen by company founder Colin Chapman.

Goodwood 75 will also be the theme of the 2023 Festival of Speed (13-16 July). A dedicated Goodwood 75 hill climb will showcase cars and bikes from the last 75 years including The Racing Years (1948-1966), The Testing Years (post-1966), 30 Years of the Festival of Speed (1993-2023), Racing Returns (1998-2023) and The Next 75 Years.

Speaking about the momentous year ahead, The Duke of Richmond, founder of the Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival, told Gateway2Lease:

“It's fantastic to be able to celebrate 75 years since my grandfather opened our wonderful Motor Circuit back in 1948. Today Goodwood motorsport is celebrated and cherished by millions around the world, which the whole Goodwood team are immensely proud of. We have a very special year planned for 2023 and I can't wait to celebrate with our fans as we reflect on our history but also look ahead to the next 75 years, and beyond. I'd like to thank everyone who has been so enthusiastic and supportive and so much look forward to welcoming everyone during this special year.”

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