82nd Members’ Meeting

The small number of spectators creates a relaxed atmosphere

Under bright spring sunshine, the 82nd Members’ Meeting was held at Goodwood Circuit, the mecca of British motorsport, on the weekend of April 12th and 13th, 2025. Blessed by the warm weather, many car enthusiasts gathered.

The origins of the Members’ Meeting date back to 1948. Originally held for members of the British Automobile Racing Club, the event was held 71 times until the circuit closed in 1966.

When the Goodwood Circuit was reopened in 1998, the local authority allowed it to run without noise restrictions for five days a year, three of which were used for “revival” events. In 2014, the members’ meeting was reinstated for members of the Goodwood Road Racing Club, sponsored by the Duke of Richmond, and the remaining two days were allocated.

While the number of spectators is smaller and the atmosphere more relaxed than at the Revival, the event offers greater freedom of access to the course, allowing participants to enjoy the races up close. Additionally, participating cars are not limited to those from 1948 to 1966, when the circuit was first in operation.

Demonstration run of the Lotus 97T

This year’s event featured Group 1 Touring Car races from the 1970s and 1980s, with cars like the Ford Capri Mk3 and Rover SD1 showing off their impressive performances. Other exciting events included the Pre-1966 Touring Cars, featuring pre-1966 Lotus Cortinas and Mini Cooper Ss, and a 1960s sports car race featuring Ferrari 250 SWBs, AC Cobras, and Austin-Healeys. Prototype cars like the Ford GT40, which was popular from 1963 to 1966, and classic Edwardian-era cars from before 1923 also made an appearance.

One particularly memorable event was Bruno Senna’s demonstration run in the Lotus 97T. This F1 car is a memorial to the car that his uncle Ayrton Senna used to win his first Grand Prix in Portugal in 1985. Other cars that made spectacular runs included the Gordon Murray Automotive (GMA) lineup and the new Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA WEC car. Alpine, celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, also held a commemorative parade, adding to the excitement.

Diverse entertainment

It’s also worth noting that, in an effort to protect the environment, all vehicles participating in all 13 races at Goodwood used sustainable fuel. On Saturday night, attendees were entertained with a variety of entertainment, including live music, performers dressed as sea creatures, a vintage amusement park, and a spectacular fireworks show. These are just some of the tireless efforts being made to keep the flame of car culture alive.

PHOTO／Simon FOX, Matt Alexander