Am I a petrolhead? … capturing the spirit of the 82nd Goodwood Members Meeting

Am I a petrolhead? … capturing the spirit of the 82nd Goodwood Members Meeting

By alan frost on April 26, 2025

The answer to the question is quite definitely yes. Ever since I was a young boy back in the 60’s I have had a passion for cars. From playing with Corgi toy cars on the carpet, to looking forward to the next monthly car magazine. When I reached the age of 17 I couldn’t wait to pass my driving test and then having my own car. I have very little engineering or mechanical knowledge and I greatly admire those that can service and bring a set of four wheels back to life but all cars both old and new appeal to me, more so when their engines come to life and to see them on a motor circuit.

A couple of weeks ago I attended the 82nd Members Meeting at Goodwood. The Festival Speed and The Revival Meeting are world famous events and I have been very fortunate to attend many of these meetings over the years years, however the Members Meeting is a smaller event by comparison. As well as fewer people there is full access to the paddock and sections of the track which are ordinarily out of bounds.

The range of machinery both on display and racing very competitively is quite extraordinary. Enthusiastic spectators watch great car control as they speed around the fast and challenging historic Goodwood circuit. From Edwardian cars in The S.F Edge Trophy to a shoot out of GT3 cars which were raced between 2006 and 2012. There is something for everyone.

Some cars from various eras are truly works of art only to become museum pieces or stored in an air conditioned garages as the owner watches their capital value increase over the years.

Goodwood doesn’t reflect this aspect of car ownership. Cars worth many hundreds of thousands of pounds are raced nose to tail by very skilled drivers. In other words they are still being used for their original purpose and long may this be the case. I am very aware we are entering a time of electrification in the car industry but it would be sad day if these celebrations of automotive history came to an end.

From a photographic point of view there is so much to see. Here are just a selection of images which I like to think capture the feel and atmosphere of the weekend.