Text by Louis Beausoleil. Image credit: Louis Beausoleil
Following a two and half year wait, the final Goodwood event (and arguably the best of the three) took place at the famed motor circuit last weekend, and it did not disappoint.
The Hendon Way Motors Team attended the 78th Members’ Meeting for the whole weekend, and got to experience a whole roster of incredible cars, intense track battles, new and exciting supercars and the best atmosphere you could ask for at one of the most beautiful circuits in the country.
Saturday began with a practice session for both heats of the Gerry Marshall Trophy, featuring a range of 70s Group 1 saloon & touring cars such as Ford Escorts, Triumph Dolomites, race-prepped Mini Coopers and brutish Mustang Boss 302s. While it was only a practice session, a good few of the entrants managed to accrue some battle-scars on their cars already – remember, this is Goodwood; drivers don’t hold back!
Heavy rain set in during the late morning, causing a rapid dash for cover in the paddock and the grandstands. This didn’t hinder the schedule though, only making the next few track sessions more exciting. Next up was the official practice for the Pierpoint Cup, (a race you would typically see at The Goodwood Revival) showcasing a pre-1966 grid chock full of Ford Mustangs, Falcons and Galaxies, as well as a few Studebakers & Plymouth Barracudas for good measure. Based on the hilarious and very wet practice session, this was destined to be the best race of the weekend – being able to watch these V8 monsters slide their way out of the chicane onto the straight was quite the show.
Thankfully the wet weather ended just in time for the very exciting Gordon Murray Automotive demonstration, and the all-new, T.50 hypercar. With a sub 1000kg kerb weight, a 3.9 litre Cosworth V12 achieving 12,000 rpm (!) and a sleek design language inspired by the infamous McLaren F1, this £3 million hypercar successfully stole the show during the event. Furthermore, a diverse group of cars designed by Gordon Murray also featured, such as various Brabham F1 cars and the LCC Rocket.
Later that evening, we got to witness the powerful Pierpoint Cup cars once again take to the circuit, this time for the race. Our photographer was positioned as far forward onto the chicane as possible, making for some exhilarating angles of the V8 muscle cars as they powered onto the straight. The Jordan/Willmott ‘63 Studebaker ended up taking 1st, and the Shepherd/Reid 1965 Mustang achieved second. With constant exhaust flames and an incredible V8 soundtrack, it was easily our favourite race of the weekend!
Image credit: Louis Beausoleil
Sunday kicked off the track action with a new feature; the ‘Goodwood Super Special Rally Sprint Course’, a rallycross-esque stage weaving on and off the main circuit, with cars the likes of WRC Subarus, Metro 6R4s, classic Ford RS200s and more.
The Ronnie Hoare Trophy was also a stand-out race for us on Sunday – a grid full of Porsche 911s, 904s, MG B GTs and the stunning light blue Ferrari 275 GTB/C of Vincent Gaye. Nothing beats a 60s GT sportscar race at Goodwood!
Image credit: Louis Beausoleil
Finally, the weekend culminated in the Moss Trophy. Essentially the same as Revival’s Stirling Moss Trophy, this race saw Cobras, 300SLs, E-Types and one Ferrari 250 SWB/C battling it out in the early evening light, and it was the perfect way to finish our favourite event held at Goodwood. We absolutely can’t wait to attend 79MM – in just a few months time, too.
As a final note, while it’s not exactly race-prepped, you too can feel like Vincent Gaye in his 275 GTB/C, with our stunning Grigio Ferro 1967 275 GTB/4, pictured below at Salon Prive 2021. This perfect-condition, Ferrari Classiche-certified 275 4 Cam is concours ready and is the perfect embodiment of a road-going Ferrari. Available at our London showroom today.
