Riders run for 1950s motorcycle race at 2008 Goodwood Revival

In just over two weeks time (19-21 September), the Goodwood Revival will add an exciting new dimension to its race programme for 2008. A fresh grid of motorcycles and legendary top riders are set to star in a ‘new look’ Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy for 1950s motorcycles.

Between the Goodwood Motor Circuit’s 1948-1966 racing heyday, there was only one dedicated motorcycle meeting – ‘Goodwood Saturday’, held in 1951. Taking inspiration from this 1951 event, the ‘alternative’ Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy will be representative of this original meeting.

Therefore, from 2008 onwards the motorcycle race at the Goodwood Revival will alternate each year between this newly-introduced 1950s race and the familiar competition for 1960s machines, as is already the case for the popular St Mary’s Trophy for saloon cars of the 1950s or 1960s. To meet the new eligibility criteria bikes will have to be of a type that competed in the period 1951-1954, in the spirit of the original Goodwood meeting. Bikes lining up on the grid will include Matchless G45, BMW RS51, AJS 7R, Gilera Saturno, BSA Gold Star, Norton Dominator and Vincent Black Shadow, amongst many others.

These sports bikes from yesteryear will be ridden by many top names from past and present including eight-time World Champion Phil Read, 10-time TT winner Stan Woods, seven-time TT winner Mick Grant, former 500cc World Motorcycle Grand Prix Champion Wayne Gardner, three-time British Superbike Champion Niall Mackenzie and former Grand Prix rider and now BBC commentator Steve Parrish. They will be joined by fast men from the modern circuit including 14-time TT winner John McGuinness, 12-time North West 200 winner Michael Rutter and BMW WSB test rider Jeremy McWilliams, to name but a few.

Goodwood will also introduce significant revisions to the overall race format. As before, there will be one race on Saturday and another on Sunday, with the result decided by aggregate timing. The difference will be that each owner-rider will be paired up with a mutually agreeable professional racer, and both will ride in each race, changing over in the pits around half distance. There will also be a change in the commencement to the proceedings with the introduction of a Le Mans-style running start, which is certain to cause some drama and excitement for both spectators and competitors alike.

Entry to the Goodwood Revival is strictly by advance ticket only.

To order advance tickets, please contact the Ticket Hotline:
Telephone: +44 (0)1243 755055
Fax: +44 (0)1243 755058
Email: bookings@goodwood.co.uk;
On-line via the Online Ticket section of the Goodwood website: goodwood.co.uk