The 2001 Goodwood Revival, coming days after the shattering events in the USA, was even more of an Anglo-American celebration than usual, with WWII camaraderie and Mustang and Spitfire flypasts focussing attention on our “special relationship.”
With all the period costume and special events at Lord March’s Revival meeting, the racing could have gotten lost, but some of the toughest races of the historic season took place on this September weekend, a great treat for the crowds, though some of the more relaxed competitors feel themselves getting rushed along by some very hard driving professionals.
Gregor Fisken’s performances in his Cooper Bristol in the Goodwood Trophy race for 1948-1955 single-seaters and in the RAC TT Celebration were highlights of the event in pure race driving terms. Fisken was teamed with former F1 driver Emmanuele Pirro in a Jaguar E-Type Lightweight to win the 45 minute thrash from a huge field of Aston Martin Project cars, Ferrari 330LMBs and Cobras. The likes of Moss, Brabham, Oliver and Attwood had to take a back seat to the more modern hotshoes, though Moss was on sparkling form hurling a Jaguar Mk.VII round the Sussex circuit in the unlikely company of TV’s Mr. Bean, Rowan Atkinson, in the historic saloon race. While the overall mood was much subdued this year, the 2002 edition of the Goodwood Revival still proved to be a resounding success. Submitted by Ed McDonough
