Goodwood Motor Circuit echoed to the sounds of horsepower from yesteryear this past weekend (April 15/16) as the West Sussex venue kicked off its 2023 motor racing season with the 80th Membersâ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport.
Taking fans and competitors on a spirited trip down memory lane, the two-day event marked the start of another captivating year of events and anniversary celebrations on the famous grounds.
Open to members and fellows of the Goodwood Road Racing Club, the Membersâ Meeting is staged to recapture the intimacy and camaraderie of the race weekendâs in Goodwoodâs heyday – with the British Automobile Racing Club playing a significant role as always.
Whilst there was plenty to see and do away from the track, on it saw an abundance of full-throttle thrills and spills – with one of the undoubted highlights being the Jim Clark Trophy for Ford-Lotus Cortinas that raced between 1963 and 1966.
Boasting an entry list of some of the most famous touring cars drivers from the past and present, an entertaining 45-minute race culminated in 2013 BTCC champion Andrew Jordan and David Dickenson fighting their way to a popular victory.
Fans of two-wheeled racing were well-catered for courtesy of the Hailwood Trophy, which was for Formula 750 and 250cc & 350cc two-stroke Grand Prix motorcycles. Scott Carson would reign supreme as he piloted his Yamaha TZ350G to an impressive brace of victories.
Sports prototypes that competed in the 1960s made up the Gurney Cup and after a hard-fought battle for outright honours, Shaun Lynn and former multiple IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti proved to be the team to beat as they triumphed in a Ford GT40.
Edwardian cars, GN Specials and cars in the spirit of early Brooklands races prior to 1923 made up the S.F. Edge Trophy. Behind the wheel of the incredible 1905-built Darracq 205bhp, Mark Walker did enough to win by half a second on combined times.
The Gordon Spice Trophy showcased some of the most iconic Group 1 and British Saloon Car Championship cars and those competing had everyone on the edge of their seats. Jake Hill and Nick Swift scored victory in the heats however nobody could stop Rob Huff from picking up the win in the final.
Front-engined Formula Juniors took centre stage in the Threlfall Cup – won by Stuart Roach – whilst Richard Bradley drove the Aston Martin Speed Model ‘Red Dragon’ to victory lane in the Trofeo Nuvolari encounter.
Elsewhere, Jonathan Abecassis and Martin Stretton triumphed in the Tony Gaze Trophy and Salvadori Cup whilst James Cottingham piloted an AC Cobra to the top step of the podium in the Moss Trophy – which was open to closed-cockpit GT cars.
To view the full classification of results from all sessions at the Goodwood 80th Membersâ Meeting, CLICK HERE.