Goodwood Revival to honour RAF Westhampnett

In just under two weeks time at the 2010 Goodwood Revival meeting (17-19 September), the nostalgic appeal of the world’s most authentic historic motor race meeting is set to continue with a huge variety of rare aircraft to complement the racing and period fashions, both in the skies and on terra firma.

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.  Throughout the Revival weekend a series of legendary aircraft – long associated with Goodwood – will be flying over the famous motor circuit including Hurricane, Spitfires and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Avro Lancaster PA474.

In addition, a number of ex-RAF airmen based at RAF Westhampnett during the War will be returning to Goodwood, many for the first time in almost 70 years.  These will include ‘old boys’ flying in all the way from Canada, plus ex-Westhampnett pilot Tony Gaze, returning all the way from Australia especially for the Revival.  Tony Gaze was a great friend of Freddie March, the 9th Duke of Richmond, and was instrumental in persuading the Duke to turn Westhampnett into the Goodwood Motor Circuit, the first British race track to host a public motor sport meeting post-War in September 1948.

On Revival Sunday, a very special Goodwood-based RAF pilot will be honoured with a moving tribute.  American-born Billy Fiske joined the RAF long before the USA became formally involved in the Second World War.  Fiske was a dynamic and successful young American that wrote and directed movies and was a double Olympic bobsled champion.  He was the first American to volunteer to join the RAF when war was declared, and joined the famous 601 squadron, flying from RAF Westhampnett and near-by Tangmere, and dashing around the Sussex country lanes around Goodwood in his distinctive Blower Bentley.

Fiske became the first American airman to die in combat too during the Battle of Britain, landing at Westhampnett with his Hurricane aircraft on fire, and passing away some days later from his sustained burns at the local St Richards hospital in Chichester.  Fiske was buried on the edge of the Goodwood Estate at Boxgrove Priory, where is grave can still be found today, along with a stunning stained glass window dedicated to this brave pilot with the Priory itself.  Boxgrove Priory will be Goodwood selected charity for this year’s Revival.

The Revival tribute to Billy Fiske will be held on the Goodwood Motor Circuit grid, with a Hurricane aircraft, flanked by fellow ex-RAF Westhampnett airmen, his treasured Bentley 4.5-litre and the Royal Horse Artillery with a fitting cannon salute with war time aircraft flying overhead.

Down on the ground, the prestigious ‘Freddie March Spirit of Aviation’ – an aeronautical ‘concours d’elegance’ that recalls the style and excitement of flying as it used to be – will be held.  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.

This attraction for historic aircraft built up to 1966 – the same cut-off year as all motor vehicles permitted on site during the Revival meeting – is in memory of the great man who had such an influence on Goodwood.   A select panel of judges, including Rowan Atkinson, Nick Mason and James Martin, will be selecting the winner of the coveted Freddie March prize from around over 25 pre-1966 aircraft, set to include two Spitfires, as well as a 1934  Hawker Nimrod, a 1947 Antonov AN-2TD and a 1954 P56 Provost.

In addition to exciting aircraft, the Goodwood Revival 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, as well as the finest period fashions, music and ambience.

As in previous years, admission to the Goodwood Revival is strictly by advance ticket only.  Tickets can be ordered at goodwood.com.