26 replies to this topic

[jeze]

Is it noise restrictions, is it the infield airfield, or perhaps lack of safety that causes the amazing Goodwood circuit not to arrange any national events for contemporary racing. I would reckon BTCC there would be every bit amazing as at Thruxton!

Can someone please explain to me why such a great venue isn't used more often

[jeze]

Well?

[rodoal1515]

Combination of many things really. The circuit doesn't have that much in the way of run off areas, has no modern garage facilities, and they're only allowed a limited number of 'noisy days' per year - hence why only the revivial, GRRC and the occassional club sprint is at the circuit.

Edited by rodoal1515, 10 February 2010 - 09:56.

[y2cragie]

having been round the place in a historic maserati monza special. I couldn't help but notice that despite doing 120mph we were only a few feet from the barriers. And most of those couldn't be pushed back that far. Its a special track, and i would hate to see it changed for the sake of a touring car event or such.

[jeze]

It's always possible to push barriers back, but it'd take some work and money, even though I don't think money is an issue given their incomes in their two major events. One thing is for sure, and it is that I would never race a 1950's race car so close to the barriers in that speed

[y2cragie]

The thing with Goodwood is, you just cant push them back. Its what makes the track what it is. I know logistically you could, but then it just wouldn't be what the place is about.

[rodoal1515]

One of the biggest problems is the success of the revival. Why would Lord March want to change anything at the circuit? The answer is he wouldn't. You also have to remember the aerodrome at the circuit, the space around the circuit (including the small run off areas) and the fact that you have small and main roads around the perimeter would make it almost impossible.

I myself have driven around goodwood many times (back again for the masters series event and the grrc spring sprint for a bit of pre-season testing in the coming weeks) and part of the appeal is the way the circuit is currently laid out - exceptionally fast with close barriers - as well as the history the place has. It's like a time warp in the paddock on a normal day, let alone when the revival is on.

[cheapracer]

The thing with Goodwood is, you just cant push them back. Its what makes the track what it is. I know logistically you could, but then it just wouldn't be what the place is about.

I'm sure Bruce McLaren agrees with you - oh hang on, he's dead.

Nostalgia is for people who have never crashed.

[rodoal1515]

Well, Stirling Moss had a pretty big career ending crash at goodwood and he keeps going back...

[frp]

I'm sure Bruce McLaren agrees with you - oh hang on, he's dead.

Classy.

To address the original poster's question, Chichester District Council gave permission for racing to be resumed at Goodwood specifically and solely for the revival meeting. In exchange, the circuit had to severely reduce the number of sprint, test and track days per year. The political and environmental situation is very different now from that in place when Goodwood was an active circuit.

Apart from modern racing not being permitted, there could hardly be a historic racing recreation if the circuit was rebuilt to modern safety standards.

Edited by frp, 10 February 2010 - 12:28.

[y2cragie]

I'm sure Bruce McLaren agrees with you - oh hang on, he's dead.

Nostalgia is for people who have never crashed.

I'm not suggesting the track be used for any form of high speed racing. I am saying it needs to stay as it is now. An historic track that runs events designed and suited for it, which it has been doing for years now with little incident.

[FlatOverCrest]

As per usual... it is the local 'noiseamentalists' that desite moving to within earshot of a racing circuit that has been in existence longer than many of these complainers have been alive.......they feel they have the overiding right to determine what events then take place and how loud they may be....

So much for democracy eh?

As per usual, local councils pander to the politically correct and give in to a minority view. I believe if you had a petition signed my motorsport competitors and fans that wanted their 'Right to compete and use a historic racing venue' with claims of ECHR law suit if not permitted, the number of supporters would easily outweigh the number of local objectors...

But then that would result in true democracy.... something the PC brigade have never signed up to!

But unfortunately, previous posters are indeed spot on..in order to keep these whining gits happy, in order to run the revival meeting, they had to cut the number of events held at the venue, including the single venue tarmac rallies they used to have here.

Oh....and the safety... yeah... its daunting.... in a rally in the late 90's, my co-driver missd a chicane in the notes and when I had to swerve to avoid it, on slicks...we hit the fresh morning wet grass..spun 720 degrees at about 90 mph across a fire 'entry' access point and slammed sideways into the earth/truck tyre, banking..... the whole of the left side of the car was smashed in..glass all went..but when I tried to fire up the car and carry on...I asked the co-driver if we were good to go.... and he says...
"Er...I dont think so mate......."
To which I look down to my left and his seat broke in TWO on the impact...and he was now lying behind me.... Event Over!!

So its pretty unforgiving... when it goes wrong.....

But Noise is the primary reason for its lack of use....

B'Stards!

[cheapracer]

I'm not suggesting the track be used for any form of high speed racing. I am saying it needs to stay as it is now. An historic track that runs events designed and suited for it, which it has been doing for years now with little incident.

from Wiki...

There have been few incidents at the festival where cars have been severely damaged or serious injuries incurred. To date, the event has suffered just two separate fatal accidents.
The first was during its inaugural meeting in 1993, when vintage racing motorcyclist Chas Guy, was killed following the completion of the course when his Vincent motorcycle developed a steering wobble known as a tank slapper, throwing the rider into a tree. Since then, motorcycles are not timed for their run.
In 2000, tragedy again occurred when driver John Dawson-Damer suffered a cardiac arrest before the finish line, causing him to lose control of his Lotus 63 and crash into the finish line gantry, killing himself and marshal Andrew Carpenter. Another marshal, Steve Tarrant, survived but sustained serious injuries to the lower part of his right leg.[2] Since his recovery, despite his disability, he continues to marshal to this day. The gantry has since been made wider.


frp, people die and they do it on a regular basis too as you will and so will I.

[Garagiste]

The Festival - which does not take place at Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit.
The Revival which does has suffered no similar fatalities, fortunately - though I fear it's only a matter of time.
Comparing it to modern circuits, the first thing you notice is just how CLOSE you are to the action. With just a low fence you can lean on, no debris fencing obsuring the view and just a thin strip of grass between you and the track. It's like nowhere else, but the concequences of a bad accident don't bear thinking about. I'm surprised the elf n safety brigade still allow racing there at all, really.

[frp]

from Wiki...

There have been few incidents at the festival where cars have been severely damaged or serious injuries incurred. To date, the event has suffered just two separate fatal accidents.
The first was during its inaugural meeting in 1993, when vintage racing motorcyclist Chas Guy, was killed following the completion of the course when his Vincent motorcycle developed a steering wobble known as a tank slapper, throwing the rider into a tree. Since then, motorcycles are not timed for their run.
In 2000, tragedy again occurred when driver John Dawson-Damer suffered a cardiac arrest before the finish line, causing him to lose control of his Lotus 63 and crash into the finish line gantry, killing himself and marshal Andrew Carpenter. Another marshal, Steve Tarrant, survived but sustained serious injuries to the lower part of his right leg.[2] Since his recovery, despite his disability, he continues to marshal to this day. The gantry has since been made wider.


frp, people die and they do it on a regular basis too as you will and so will I.

Those fatalities occurred at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, held annually on the drive to Goodwood House. Thankfully, there have been no fatalities during the Revival Meeting at Goodwood Circuit, although serious injuries have been sustained by drivers, Sir Jack Brabham and Nigel Corner amongst them.

Yes, I know people die.

P.S. Sorry, Garagiste, I've since seen your post that I'm more or less repeating!

Edited by frp, 10 February 2010 - 14:02.

[john ruston]

It's a Historic Circuit and sensibly can only be used for Historic Cars that their owners are prepared to race on a circuit that does not have same safty areas as other major circuits.Not many cheap accidents there.

It provides one of the best weekends of theatrical racing anywhere and if that whats makes your boat float it's wonderful.

There is no chance of any other forms of racing with present situation of safty and doubt if the owners would want it as it would dilute the Revival meeting.

[jeze]

It's a shame because I really like the layout and the character of the circuit, but I find historic racing jack **** and would never attend a race with rusty cars built 1955, more meant for museums. It's really sad, an excellent facility wasted

[FlatOverCrest]

It's a shame because I really like the layout and the character of the circuit, but I find historic racing jack **** and would never attend a race with rusty cars built 1955, more meant for museums. It's really sad, an excellent facility wasted

Call yourself a Ferrari fan?

If you actually went to the revival meeting and watched, smelled and listened to a Ferrari 250 GTO race car doing its thing.... You might just change your mind....Possibly one of the most glorious racing sights and sounds in the world.....Pure automotive heaven!

[frp]

...but I find historic racing jack **** and would never attend a race with rusty cars built 1955, more meant for museums.

Never mind. The 100,000+ people who do attend will probably be able to get by without you.

Edited by frp, 10 February 2010 - 19:40.

[VAR1016]

Classy.

[...] The political and environmental situation is very different now from that in place when Goodwood was an active circuit[...]

Indeed, rather like Brooklands before the war: people move to the neighbourhood of a motor-racing circuit so that they can complain about the noise and attempt to shut it down.

Edit: Jeze's comment about "rusty cars" displays a breathtaking degree of sheer ignorance. One might find a rusty car or two in the car parks, but at Goodwood Revival on the track? Ha ha ha ha ha

Edited by VAR1016, 10 February 2010 - 21:06.

[Risil]

Goodwood is extraordinary. It's a '60s racetrack frozen in amber, a constant reminder to we F1 technocrats that ours is not the only way.

Meanwhile England has seven or eight racetracks that are the equal of any in the world. All, with the exception of Oliver's Mount, are within a day's drive from any other part of the country. We hardly need to cannibalise anything else.

[pingu666]

olivers mount is probably more dangerous (been there twice ). hopefully going to both goodwood meetings this year with my dad

[pgj]

Good thread.

If the money spent on building the O2 Arena, as it now is, had been spent on rebuilding Goodwood - it would have been money well spent.

[Rob29]

Good thread.

If the money spent on building the O2 Arena, as it now is, had been spent on rebuilding Goodwood - it would have been money well spent.

I think this thread explains why it would NOT We do not need more modern circuits.Revival is a unique event.You can see the action without debris fencing and/or being moved 100yds from the action.
When I went racing regularly in the 60s & 70s circuits were packed for the smalllest clubbie.Now no one goes-bar the British GP & the historic events.

[Risil]

I think this thread explains why it would NOT We do not need more modern circuits.Revival is a unique event.You can see the action without debris fencing and/or being moved 100yds from the action.
When I went racing regularly in the 60s & 70s circuits were packed for the smalllest clubbie.Now no one goes-bar the British GP & the historic events.

Really? The BSB meeting at Brands Hatch had a crowd of something like 30,000. And Cadwell had 50,000 IIRC. It's not the public's fault really if car racing can't put a show on that people want to watch, F1 and BTCC excepting.

[john ruston]

But Goodwood is a show that people want to see.

No 2 show after F1 stuff at Silverstone.

Silverstone Classic happens to be in Top 10 so people enjoy watching the old crocks.

It a good grounding place for drivers as one of cheaper types of motorsport.

[Tony Matthews]

It's a shame because I really like the layout and the character of the circuit, but I find historic racing jack **** and would never attend a race with rusty cars built 1955, more meant for museums. It's really sad, an excellent facility wasted

You don't have to be eighteen to know very little, but it obviously helps.