Wet and dry- Goodwood Revival 2013

The Goodwood Revival is widely recognised as the premier historic racing event in the world.It is just a wonderful show.It is in fact much more than a motor racing festival as it is also a historic aircraft festival,a fancy dress garden party and just a wonderful exercise in nostalgia which the English do so well.I have not been for many years but everyone who has been recently comes back wildly enthused so it seems to just get bigger and better every year.
And despite it being in the UK in September the weather usually fully co-operates but not this year when after a gloriously hot summer the rains came to Goodwood for some of the Revival Meeting last weekend.
I have a personal soft spot for Goodwood.I saw Stirling Moss win the TT there in a Ferrari 250GT having travelled there by public transport from Surrey when I was just 14.I was also there when Stirling Moss had his big accident and I went a few times more to the Easter Meetings through the 1960s.Maybe it's time to think about going back for another taste of nostalgia in 2014.

Peter de Rousset-Hall was there last weekend with his Canon 1DX and the new Canon 200-400 lens with built in converter. He says ... "having used it for almost all my shots over the weekend I believe it is worth every penny of its horrific price.(note B&H in the US have it listed at US$11,799..!!!!)  Most of these were taken at 560mm with the lens wide open and with quite a bit of cropping. It has equal in quality and focus capability to the 400 f2.8 IS, is much more versatile and also much lighter."
Thanks Peter for some superb photos and also the captions below.

 This was the evening race on Friday night for 1952-55 Sports Cars.   It was supposed to run for 90minutes but was curtailed after 60.This shot may explain why.

This Daimler Dart - SP250 to Dodge Fans -is one of only two racing in the UK and has good period history including running at Sebring when new.    As a result of a stub axle failure it was comprehensively rolled the previous weekend and, despite being told they were attempting the impossible, John Abel (Owner) and Andy Shepherd (Driver ) managed - with some bits provided by various Daimler fans - to have it back up and running by Friday morning's practice.It successfully completed the race and here it is managing to stay ahead of a Ferrari - which is a testament to Andy's driving skills.

Andy's brother. Bill Shepherd, also had a good weekend in one of the few ex Holman and Moody Galaxies with a win in the second 60's Saloon car race.  It was driven by Jochen Mass, seen here in the first race.  He is leading here, though fell to third after an engine hiccup.

On a brighter note, the early mornings were nice and sunny - showing off the aircraft well