A recap of the Goodwood Members' Meeting 2021

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If you were to ask for my favourite Goodwood event, the recent Members' Meeting (its 78th!) would be the answer. Catering for cars and motorbikes that do not fit into the other events there, this is a weekend with a completely different atmosphere that still, of course, provides the same visceral thrills. The meeting is for Goodwood Road Racing Club members and fellows only. Specific competitions include the 1970s and 1980s motorbikes and modern rally cars, but we have focused on the PreWarCars here.

The S.F. Edge Trophy (named after Selwyn Francis Edge, who won the Gordon Bennett in 1902) is a mix of aero-engined specials and highly original historic racing cars. To the latter category belong two famous Sunbeams: Nick Pellett's 1914 TT and Julian Majzub's 1916 Indianapolis model, which were accompanied by other ancient thoroughbreds like the 1905 200hp V8 Darracq and, of course, Duncan Pittaway’s 1913 300hp Fiat. Winner of the first race was Hughie Walker with an aero-engined Theophile Schneider, in front of Julian Majzub with the Sunbeam and Mark Walker on the Darracq. The second race on Sunday was full of suspense in the last lap when Ben Collings in the Sinsheim Museum Blitzen Benz won by only 4/10ths of a second ahead of Hughie Walker. Julian Majzub was third.

In the Earl Howe Trophy for GP cars and voiturettes that were raced before 1932, Bugattis mix with Morgan three-wheelers, Alfa Romeo 8Cs, Talbot AV105s, Bentleys and Frazer-Nashes. Leading the race from the second lap, victory was taken by Lukas Halusa in a 1927 Bugatti Type 35B. Gary Pearson in an Alfa Romeo 8C 2600 Monza was second and James Wood, also with a Bugatti Type 35B, owned by Nick Mason, came third.

But it's not all cars and motorbikes at the Members’ Meeting. The Saturday evening party is second to none, with bands, performers and fantastic fireworks, all in a very convivial atmosphere. Another attraction is Messham’s Wall of Death, a truly breath taking experience.

The conclusion is that this year’s Members’ Meeting was a fantastic success, blessed with almost perfect weather. It was very hard to return to ‘normal’ life the next day!

Words and photographs by Nick Jonckheere.

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