TRACKING HERITAGE

Rolex marks 20 years as Official Timepiece of the Goodwood Revival and Title Soonsor of the Rolex Drivers’ Club

Even as Formula 1 straight-lines corners into the Singapore Grand Prix, our thoughts turn to the Goodwood Revival, which will have just concluded by the time you read this. The event took place this year from 6-8 September at its traditional home, the Goodwood Circuit in west Sussex, the United Kingdom. We are reminded of the contrasts between classic racing and its contemporary counterpart, and how that entire story evolved and continues to evolve – there are genuine parallels here with the culture of mechanical watchmaking.

As far as the Goodwood Revival goes though, we read events like this as celebrations of motoring culture. Even if you know only a little about Goodwood Revival, you probably do know that people frequently attend in period gear and the whole thing is a bit like a country fair, except with loads of vintage cars. These cars are all appropriate to the period (1948-66) that the Goodwood Circuit hosted a variety of motor races, including the Formula 1 British Grand Prix. Obviously, these cars are all peerless mechanical wonders – no computers or traction control here. In fact, no modern vehicles are allowed within the grounds of the Goodwood Circuit during the festival, except for fire and rescue vehicles.

This year, Rolex marks 20 years as Official Timepiece of the Goodwood Revival and Title Sponsor of the Rolex Drivers’ Club. The Swiss watchmaker is the Goodwood Revival’s partner in championing the glorious traditions and innovations of motorsports past. The brand provided us with the substance of this story, the quotes on Goodwood Revival from Rolex Testimonees and racing luminaries Tom Kristensen and Jensen Button.

TOM KRISTENSEN