The biggest vintage motorsport party in the world has officially begun, and Goodwood Revival 2025 is already living up to its reputation as the most spectacular throwback weekend on the racing calendar. This isn’t just another classic car event – it’s a full-scale time machine that’s transported Chichester back to the golden age of racing, complete with period costumes and some seriously impressive machinery.
But what makes Goodwood Revival 2025 different from previous years goes beyond just the cars.
Why Everyone’s Talking About Goodwood Revival 2025
Goodwood Revival 2025 has attracted some seriously big names this time around. We’re talking about Formula 1 world champions who’ve swapped their modern racing machines for vintage beauties that were built decades before some of today’s drivers were even born.
Jenson Button’s making his return to Goodwood Revival 2025 in a stunning 1962 Jaguar E-Type called ‘CUT 8’ – and this isn’t just any old E-Type. This particular car was the last Jaguar prepared by legendary privateer Dick Protheroe, with wins at Brands Hatch and circuits like Mugello and the Nürburgring under its belt.
“I am delighted to be coming back to the Goodwood Revival in September for the most enjoyable weekend of racing,” Button said about his return to Goodwood Revival 2025. He’ll be competing in the Royal Automobile Club TT Celebration, which is basically like watching modern F1 drivers duke it out in cars from the 1960s.
Jacques Villeneuve is also making his debut at Goodwood Revival 2025, which means we’ve got two F1 world champions going wheel-to-wheel in classic machinery. That’s the kind of thing that makes this event so special – where else can you see drivers of this calibre racing cars that are older than most of the spectators?
The Jim Clark Celebration at Goodwood Revival 2025
One of the biggest draws for Goodwood Revival 2025 is the massive tribute to Jim Clark, who many consider the greatest racing driver of all time. It’s been 60 years since Clark’s greatest season, and the organisers have pulled out all the stops to honour the modest Scottish farmer who could make any car dance.
Goodwood Revival 2025 is featuring cars from Clark’s career, along with a lineup of family members, friends, fellow drivers and team members who knew him personally. It’s not just about displaying the cars – it’s about telling the story of a man who had this incredible ability to coax speed from machinery in a way that seemed utterly effortless.
“The debate to decide the greatest racing driver of all time could rage forever, but one name will come up time and again,” explains one tribute piece about Clark’s legacy at Goodwood Revival 2025. His smooth, mechanically sympathetic driving style made him legendary, and seeing his cars back on track at Goodwood is genuinely emotional for anyone who understands racing history.
The Clark celebration at Goodwood Revival 2025 includes not just the cars he raced, but also personal stories and memories from people who actually knew him. It’s the kind of authentic, respectful tribute that only Goodwood seems to get right.
The Incredible Atmosphere of Goodwood Revival 2025
What makes Goodwood Revival 2025 special isn’t just the racing – it’s the complete transformation of the venue. Over 150,000 visitors are expected across the three days, and a huge chunk of them will be dressed in authentic period clothing that matches the cars they’re watching.
The atmosphere at Goodwood Revival 2025 starts building from the moment you arrive. There’s this distinct feeling in the air, especially in the early morning when the first cars are being warmed up in the paddocks. The crisp September air fills with the sound of engines that were designed and built decades ago, but are still capable of producing spine-tingling noise.
“There’s the distinct feeling that this is the calm before the storm,” describes one observer of the early morning scene at Goodwood Revival 2025. “Crisp morning air fills the paddocks as the first of the cars are being cajoled from their overnight slumber.”
The period costumes aren’t just for show at Goodwood Revival 2025 – they’re a key part of creating this incredible time-warp atmosphere. You’ll see everything from 1940s military uniforms to 1960s mod fashion, and it genuinely feels like stepping back in time when everyone commits to the theme properly.
The Star-Studded Fashion Side of Goodwood Revival 2025
Speaking of period fashion, Goodwood Revival 2025 has attracted some serious style icons alongside the racing legends. Dita Von Teese is returning as the headliner for the vintage fashion celebrations, appearing on the Revival Style Stage and judging the Best Dressed competition.
Von Teese isn’t just there for the fashion though – she’s a genuine car enthusiast who’s owned classics like a 1930s Chrysler New Yorker and is currently restoring a 1952 Woodill Wildfire. At Goodwood Revival 2025, the fashion and the cars go hand in hand, with many attendees putting as much effort into their outfits as the mechanics put into preparing the racing machines.
The fashion element of Goodwood Revival 2025 has become almost as competitive as the racing itself. The Best Dressed competition is serious business, with people spending months planning their period-appropriate outfits. It’s part of what makes the event feel so authentic – when everyone’s dressed the part, the whole experience becomes more immersive.
The American Power at Goodwood Revival 2025
While British and European cars typically dominate classic racing events, Goodwood Revival 2025 is showcasing some seriously impressive American machinery that proves the USA knew how to build exciting cars long before anyone talks about modern muscle cars.
The American cars at Goodwood Revival 2025 include some proper legends – GT40s, AC Cobras, and even some rare beasts like the Scarab that went head-to-head with European Formula 1 cars back in the day. These American V8-powered monsters add a different flavour to the racing, with their thunderous exhaust notes providing a stark contrast to the more refined European machinery.
“Let’s face it, no one does V8 engines quite like the USA,” notes one preview of the American cars at Goodwood Revival 2025. These cars bring serious attitude to the track, and watching them battle against the likes of Ferrari 246s and Lotus-Climaxes provides some of the most entertaining racing of the weekend.
The VE Day Anniversary Celebrations
Goodwood Revival 2025 has a special significance this year because it’s marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The venue has deep connections to World War II – the motor circuit was originally RAF Westhampnett, an active Battle of Britain station from 1940 to 1946.
The VE Day celebrations at Goodwood Revival 2025 include a parade of military and commercial vehicles, plus a street party that’s set to spill out onto the pit straight. It’s a fitting tribute that connects the venue’s aviation heritage with its current role as a premier motorsport destination.
This historical element adds another layer to Goodwood Revival 2025, reminding visitors that the airfield they’re watching racing on played a genuine role in defending Britain during its darkest hour. The combination of military history and motorsport heritage makes for a uniquely British celebration.
How to Experience Goodwood Revival 2025
If you’re planning to attend Goodwood Revival 2025, there are a few things worth knowing. The car parks open at 7am, but gates don’t open for the general public until 8:30am (GRRC members get in earlier at 7:30am). The advice from regulars is to arrive around 8am for a more relaxed start and to avoid the worst of the crowds.
Goodwood Revival 2025 offers free live streaming starting at 8:30am each day for those who can’t make it in person. The stream covers all the racing action and runs continuously, so you won’t miss the key moments even if you’re watching from home.
For those attending in person, Goodwood Revival 2025 includes free parking with your ticket, which is pretty decent value considering the scale of the event. There’s also a shuttle bus service from Chichester railway station for those coming by train.
The Racing Schedule for Goodwood Revival 2025
The racing at Goodwood Revival 2025 is packed with crowd-pleasers across all three days. The Richmond & Gordon Trophy brings 1950s Formula 1 cars back to life, while the St Mary’s Trophy features saloon cars from the same era battling it out in proper touring car style.
The Royal Automobile Club TT Celebration at Goodwood Revival 2025 is where you’ll see those F1 champions Button and Villeneuve going at it in 1960s GT cars. This is typically one of the most spectacular races of the weekend, with valuable machinery being driven in anger by people who really know how to extract every bit of performance.
Sunday’s action at Goodwood Revival 2025 concludes with the St Mary’s Trophy Part 2, which often provides some of the most entertaining racing of the weekend. These saloon car races have a reputation for close, competitive action that keeps spectators on the edge of their seats right until the chequered flag.
The variety of racing at Goodwood Revival 2025 means there’s something for everyone – from single-seater Formula 1 cars to thundering American muscle, sports cars to touring cars. It’s three days of non-stop action that celebrates every era of the circuit’s racing history.
