Inclement weather failed to dampen spirits at the 2025 Goodwood Revival on 12-14 September. More than 150,000 visitors – most dressed in period attire – descended on West Sussex for the three-day extravaganza, which saw Jim Clark, Alfa Romeo and the humble VW Type 2 celebrated alongside a thrilling historic motorsport schedule.
This year’s race card – graced by the likes of Jenson Button, Tom Kristensen and Jacques Villeneuve – brought together talents from myriad disciplines to battle for bragging rights, thrilling the packed grandstands and crowds lining the circuit.
A Revival regular since his 2021 debut, Formula 1 Champion Jenson Button grabbed the early headlines by claiming his first historic racing victory in his own Jaguar C-type, winning Friday afternoon’s Freddie March Memorial Trophy alongside teammate Alex Buncombe.
Octane caught up with Jenson shortly after his maiden Revival victory, and he was understandably delighted. ‘It just felt awesome after being so close so many times. I’ve never won a race in my own car before, so that was pretty cool,’ he beamed. Unsurprisingly, he intends to return with his Jaguar E-type and C-type in 2026. Our full interview with Jenson is available here.
Drama and memorable performances continued throughout the weekend with nine-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen taking victory with a last-gasp pass on Steve Soper in the St Mary’s Trophy Part One, while being chased to the flag by BTCC stars Gordon Shedden, Andrew Jordan and Tom Ingram.
Often regarded as the jewel in the Revival crown, the Royal Automobile Club TT Celebration for ‘60s GTs offered more edge-of-the-seat drama. Boasting one of the most talented grids of the weekend, the TT saw 1997 F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve make his Revival debut in the famous ‘Hairy Canary’ AC Cobra against IndyCar icons, touring car greats and more. After a slippery and eventful contest, it was BTCC Champion Rob Huff that crossed the line first, but a ten-second penalty for a pitstop infringement handed victory to the E-type of Tom Ingram and Richard Kent.
The Stirling Moss Memorial Trophy delivered another crowd-pleaser, its 45-minute format showcasing some of the most evocative GT cars of the early 1960s. Ultimately it was Andrew Jordan and Matthew Holme who prevailed in their Shelby Cobra, after a dramatic opening phase saw several favourites falter and the lead change hands on multiple occasions.
Those with a penchant for two-wheeled action were treated to Isle of Man TT legends Michael Dunlop and John McGuinness battling the likes of World Superbike Champions Troy Bayliss and Carlos Checa in both wet and dry conditions. The Matchless G50 shared by Steve Plater and Glen English took the aggregate victory.
The only race of the weekend not powered by sustainable fuel was the pedal-driven Settrington Cup. Always the most charming fixture on the programme, the children’s Austin J40 pedal-car contests proved every bit as competitive as their full-sized counterparts, with Dylan Turner taking victory in the main event.
Less competitive on-track features included tributes to the 60th anniversary of Jim Clark’s second World Championship, Alfa Romeo’s racing legacy and 75 years of the Volkswagen Type 2 Split Screen. Few sights were more cheerful than the 120 Volkswagen Type 2s parading around the circuit each morning, their flat-four thrum and kaleidoscope of colours marking the iconic Camper Van’s 75th birthday in style.
Among the weekend’s most poignant moments was the 60th anniversary tribute to Jim Clark’s remarkable 1965 season. Regarded by many as the greatest racing driver of all, Clark’s year of triumph – a second F1 title and victory at the Indianapolis 500 – was marked by a breathtaking parade of cars he once raced. The breadth of machinery underlined Clark’s prodigious versatility, while a flock of sheep lapping the circuit added a touching nod to his farming roots in Duns.
The rich motor racing heritage of Alfa Romeo was honoured with dual anniversary celebrations to mark its victories in the 1925 Automobile World Championship for Manufacturers and 1975 World SportsCar Championship.
The paddocks were brimming with the marque’s greatest competition machines, including the P3 that Tazio Nuvolari drove to the 1932 European Drivers’ Championship and the 158 ‘Alfetta’ that stormed to victory in the inaugural Formula 1 World Championship in 1950. These cars were showcased on-track each day in what ranked among the largest marque-specific celebrations in Revival history.
Another special display dedicated to BMW’s famous lineage of Art Cars took place away from the circuit. Held in the event’s Earls Court Motor Show, visitors were treated to a colourful display of BMW competition cars wearing liveries created by great artists including Roy Lichtenstein, David Hockney and Jeff Koons, among others.
The Freddie March Spirit of Aviation display once again proved a highlight, with Hurricanes, Spitfires and other historic aircraft sharing the spotlight with a nearby line-up of pre-war Rolls-Royce Phantoms – among them this year’s Best of Show winner at the recent Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court.
Goodwood’s ‘Revive & Thrive’ ethos once again championed the merits of sustainability, repair and re-use with craft demonstrations and upcycling workshops. The Revival Style Village and Best Dressed competition also made a return, while live music and period fairground rides in the Over the Road area complemented the buzz of the paddock.
After a lacklustre Revival sale in 2024, Bonhams arrived at Goodwood this year hoping to build on the momentum of its strong Festival of Speed auction. The Revival catalogue leaned heavily on classic appeal, headlined by the famous ‘13 COB’ 1966 AC Cobra Two-Seat Competition Hard-top Coupé and a striking 1960-2000 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato Sanction III Coupé.
Despite the anticipation, bidding on the Cobra stalled and it failed to sell, but the DB4GT crossed the block at the high end of its £700,000-£1,000,000 estimate for £1,090,000.
The 2026 Goodwood Revival will return from 18-20 September, 2026.
