I had a significant birthday in January, and my lovely wife bought me a Classic Track Day at the world-famous Goodwood Motor Circuit in West Sussex.
I’ve been going to Goodwood for years for the Revival and Member’s Meeting, and have driven slowly round the circuit as part of a parade, but had never previously driven it at racing speeds. It’s a really technical circuit, but with little run-off areas if you mess it up…
At the Classic Track Day, attendees have the opportunity to drive cars that would have competed at Goodwood back in it’s heyday, including a Mini Cooper Mark One, Austin A40, MGB, Alfa GTV, Porsche 912, Lotus Cortina, BMW 1800 TiSA, Jaguar MKII, and a Ford Falcon Sprint. All are race-prepared with full roll cages etc, and everyone goes out with a qualified instructor.
I was especially keen to try the Lotus Cortina as it was the only one I haven’t experienced on the road before, and the great Jim Clark, one of my heroes, was a prime exponent of getting one to go as far as possible here.
I also got to try the Jaguar MKII, the Ford Falcon Sprint – both handfuls as expected, and the BMW 1800 TiSA – that was a revelation in every respect and I could have driven it all day. I’d like to have tried the Mini Cooper as I’ve driven many hot Mini’s over the years, but the bucket seat was too narrow for my fat backside…
All in all, it was a day I won’t forget, for all the right reasons – if you ever get the chance, do it.
At the bottom of the page, you’ll find 3 videos of the Lotus Cortina, Jaguar MKII, and Ford Falcon being driven at a reasonably quick pace by yours truly. Annoyingly the BMW video didn’t work, and naturally that was my best effort!
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