Rare pre-1967 aircraft line up at Goodwood Revival

The world’s most authentic historic motor race meeting, the Goodwood Revival, is firmly on target to reach new heights this year with an additional aeronautical attraction that recalls the style and excitement of flying as it used to be.

For the 2007 Goodwood Revival, being held at the Goodwood Motor Circuit from 31 August to 2 September, the inaugural ‘Freddie March Spirit of Aviation’ will be held as a prestigious ‘concours d’elegance’ for historic aircraft built up to 1966, the same cut-off year as all motor vehicles permitted on site during the hugely popular three-day Revival meeting.

Since the Earl of March reintroduced motor racing at the celebrated Goodwood Motor Circuit in 1998, aircraft have formed a key part of the Revival activities. Last year, for example, no less than eight Supermarine Spitfires took to the air over Goodwood; the most seen in West Sussex skies since World War II.

The origins of the Goodwood Motor Circuit are based around the perimeter road of former RAF Westhampnett, a key Battle of Britain airfield and the location of Sir Douglas Bader’s final sortie. Freddie March, the present Earl of March’s grandfather, was a keen aviation engineer, as well as an accomplished racing driver and vehicle coachwork designer.

The aim of the Freddie March Spirit of Aviation is to bring together around 30 of the world’s finest, most elegant, original and rarely-seen aeroplanes from the evocative pioneering days of aviation, to create an added spectacle at the Revival that all race-goers will be able to get up close to and enjoy. Goodwood’s expert panel of aviation historians and enthusiasts have already hand picked some important aircraft from around the world. The confirmed list of early entries to this new competition includes the world’s oldest airworthy Spitfire Mk1a, as well as Sir Alex Henshaw’s Mew Gull.

Other aircraft confirmed for the Revival include one of only four flying Tipsy Trainers left in the world, an aircraft that Freddie March used to import into the UK in the 1930s. Revival visitors will also be able to see the only known Foster Wickner ‘Wicko’ in existence, as well as the sole N3N-3 Biplane in the UK, plus a C47 military Dakota that served on D-Day, and the Brookland Museum’s Vickers Vimy.

To be eligible for the Freddie March Spirit of Aviation trophy, every aeroplane must be airworthy, and the expert judging panel will consider each aircraft’s condition, originality, flight time, flight experience and maintenance record. Owners of suitable aircraft can still register their interest in entering their aeroplane by calling the Spirit of Aviation Chairman Rob Wildeboer on +44 (0)1243 755064, or by e-mailing: spirit@goodwood.co.uk .

In addition to exciting aircraft, the Revival will celebrate the halcyon days of motor racing as it used to be in Goodwood’s heyday up to 1966, with all of the accompanying spectacle and glamour of the era, with competitors and spectators alike dressed in period fashions. The event promises an exceptional selection of the best machinery on the planet with a spectacular array of cars and motorcycles, plus fabulous star drivers and riders to thrill the crowds on all three days of motor racing.

Admission to the Goodwood Revival will be strictly by advance ticket only.

For further information, visit goodwood.co.uk.