Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit
Goodwood Circuit is a name that is ingrained in motorsport, being one of the truly historic venues for both 2- and 4-wheeled motorsport in the UK. Goodwood is based in the lands around Goodwood House where there is both a short-circuit track and a hill track. Goodwood is most famous for its annual Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival meetings.
History
Goodwood is based close to the south coast of England, in the grounds of Goodwood house. The circuit began life as the perimeter road of an airfield that had been built during World War 2. The first race meeting took place in 1948 at which Stirling Moss won the 500cc class.
Goodwood has, over the years, played host to many famous drivers - Mike Hawthorn and Graham Hill had their first single seat races there, Roger Penske visited in 1963 and Jim Clark and Jack Sears competed in 1964. The accident which ended the International career of Stirling Moss happened at St. Mary's corner. The circuit also claimed the life of Mclaren founder Bruce McLaren in a testing accident in 1970
Goodwood saw its last race meeting for over 30 years in 1966. Following the success of the Festival of Speed hill climb, racing returned to the Goodwood circuit in 1998 and since then has remained the English home of historic motorsport. The track is now used for classic races, track days and try-out days.
Current Events
The Festival of Speed itself is now a vast extravaganza of motorsport centred around the Hill Climb course. It features racing, exhibitions and parades and attracts many of motorsports most famous names.
The Goodwood Revival is a 3-day festival held each September for the types of cars and motorcycles that would have competed during the circuit's original period - 1948-1966.