You could be forgiven for thinking that there was a covert American takeover at the 81st Goodwood Members' Meeting. Its 13-14 April date falling a few days before the Ford Mustang's 60th anniversary on 17 April doubtless contributed, but a stars-and-stripes thread ran throughout the fabulous variety of machinery on show, as US-bred sounds and smells filled the air in races and demonstrations.
The two-wheeled Hailwood Trophy and Sheene Trophy kicked off the action, followed by one of several breathless outings for the sidecar racers, whose bravery, speed and ragged-edge approach set the tone for the weekend.
After cutting-edge 21st-century technology came the meeting's oldest racers, with all the cars in the SF Edge Trophy being at least a century young. On pole was the 1916 Sunbeam Indianapolis', a car built in secret during WW1 to compete in the USA, with driver Julian Majzub looking for revenge over Mark Walker, having lost out to him last year. Walker's 1905 Land Speed Record Darracq 200hp was slow away from the middle of the front row, with his subsequent comeback the five-lap race's big story as Majzub powered away and posted a lead of more than 6 secs from Ben Collings (Mercedes 120hp). Walker grabbed second on the third lap and in the final tour halved Majzub's buffer, but the latter was delighted to win by 2.259 secs. Sunday's race was closer, as Walker snatched the lead from Majzub on the last lap to claim it by 1.794 secs, but Majzub took overall combined honours by less than half a second.
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RAY HILLIER
Double-chevron oddity proves a break from the norm for this Crewe specialist
SHORT BACK & GLIDES
Eccentric enthusiast Captain RG McLeod's series of Manx-tailed Bentley Specials reached its zenith with this unique S2 Continental.
People's choice
The diminutive but multi-million-selling Fiat 850 packed a remarkable diversity of form and function into its compact footprint
PLASTIC BREAKS FROM THE NORM
Glassfibre revolutionised niche car-body production, but just occasionally strayed into the mainstream.
A SENSIBLE SUPERCAR
The cleverly conceived four-seater Elite secured Lotus a place at the big players' table, but has it been unfairly maligned since then?
"I had a habit of grabbing second place from the jaws of victory"
From dreams of yachting glory to the Le Mans podium, via a stint at the top of the motorsport tree, Howden Ganley had quite the career
Still going strong
Herbert Engineering staked its reputation on the five-year warranty that came with its cars. A century on, this Two Litre hasn't made a claim
One for the kids
General Motors was aiming squarely at the youth market with the launch of the Pontiac GTO 60 years ago, and its runaway success popularised the muscle-car movement
A NEW BREED OF HERO
Launched at the turn of the millennium, the GT3 badge has already earned a place alongside RS, CS and turbo in Porsche lore.
Brits with SIX appeal
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