Keith Walker - Goodwood People
31st October 2025
In: News, Members' Articles
Goodwood People
Every September an old race car meeting is held at the refurbished Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit. The meeting has grown to be probably the largest event of its type anywhere, attracting cars and people from all over the globe.
The circuit (race track) is based on the perimeter road around the former RAF Westhampnett WWII grass airfield.The first motor race meeting was held in 1948, and the last in 1966. I was fortunate to have seen racing there from ’64 to ’66.
The track stayed is used for testing and small timed events, and was refurbished and reopened for racing in 1998, as the Goodwood Revival. All the original buildings, pits etc. were brought back into use.
The concept of the Revival is that the entry list comprises cars and motorcycles that could have raced there ‘in period’ i.e. pre-1966 manufacture.
The other important element to the Goodwood Revival is that people are encouraged to also dress ‘in period’, and this is a key part of the fun. It is also a joy that you will not spot any ‘highviz’
garments at Goodwood!
Goodwood (Chichester) is ‘just up the road’ from us, and I have been to many of the meetings. Since acquiring the full-frame digital M9 I have always gone with one M body and one lens, and seem to alternate between a 35 and a 50mm lenses.
Over the years I have snapped many of the cars, bikes and aircraft participating in the event, but the people attending can be just as interesting. In some ways it is pure theatre, and they always
seem to have a Merlin engined plane circling overhead as you get out of the car, just to set the mood for the day!
I hope you enjoy this little selection!
Give Us A Push
Hurry Up Dad
Lotus Lady
Never Too Young
Nice Blazer
Old Friends Meet
School Cap
Spitfire Fan
Sunglass Sophistication
The American
In Memory of The Queen
The Sound Of A Merlin
Every September an old race car meeting is held at the refurbished Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit. The meeting has grown to be probably the largest event of its type anywhere, attracting cars and people from all over the globe.
The circuit (race track) is based on the perimeter road around the former RAF Westhampnett WWII grass airfield.The first motor race meeting was held in 1948, and the last in 1966. I was fortunate to have seen racing there from ’64 to ’66.
The track stayed is used for testing and small timed events, and was refurbished and reopened for racing in 1998, as the Goodwood Revival. All the original buildings, pits etc. were brought back into use.
The concept of the Revival is that the entry list comprises cars and motorcycles that could have raced there ‘in period’ i.e. pre-1966 manufacture.
The other important element to the Goodwood Revival is that people are encouraged to also dress ‘in period’, and this is a key part of the fun. It is also a joy that you will not spot any ‘highviz’
garments at Goodwood!
Goodwood (Chichester) is ‘just up the road’ from us, and I have been to many of the meetings. Since acquiring the full-frame digital M9 I have always gone with one M body and one lens, and seem to alternate between a 35 and a 50mm lenses.
Over the years I have snapped many of the cars, bikes and aircraft participating in the event, but the people attending can be just as interesting. In some ways it is pure theatre, and they always
seem to have a Merlin engined plane circling overhead as you get out of the car, just to set the mood for the day!
I hope you enjoy this little selection!
Give Us A Push
Hurry Up Dad
Lotus Lady
Never Too Young
Nice Blazer
Old Friends Meet
School Cap
Spitfire Fan
Sunglass Sophistication
The American
In Memory of The Queen
The Sound Of A Merlin
Comments
By Alan Humphries: I have not been to Goodwood so your piece was particularly interesting. Your photos are smashing, I suspects you have many you have on file as the opportunities aboind Well done
Keith. By Ken Davis: I went once, many years ago, and concentrated on the cars. Your excellent candids show me what I missed. By Cled Lewis: Glorious Goodwood captured beautifully, the selection of images and the colours bring it to life.
Like Ken I have only been once when the 1930’s Auto Union and Mercedes were on show.
Never to be forgotten.
Thanks Keith
Cled