The 81st Goodwood Members’ Meeting is a spring event showcasing historic racing cars and motorcycles at one of Britain’s most famous tracks. However, on Day 1 of the event, the spotlight was stolen by vehicles coming from across the Atlantic.
Saturday featured the first of two demonstrations of the Can-Am racing machines, known for their fearsome prototypes. This display celebrated the 50th anniversary of the original Canadian-American Challenge Cup, or Can-Am, which ran from 1966 to 1974. These machines were characterized by their monstrous, wide and low designs, immense power, and lack of safety features.
Over 20 Can-Am vehicles were on display at the Goodwood Motor Circuit, providing a thunderous chorus of V8 engines that captivated the enthusiastic Members’ Meeting crowd.
Among the standout cars was the 1973 Shadow-Chevrolet DN2, owned by Kirt Bennett. This car was driven by the 1976 Formula 1 champion, James Hunt, during his time and was also driven by Bennett himself during the demonstration. Bennett expressed his excitement at the impressive acceleration and noise of these cars, as well as their visually appealing design and aerodynamics.
In addition to the Can-Am demonstration, there were also iconic Formula 1 cars taking to the track on Saturday at the Goodwood Motor Circuit. One of them was Niki Lauda’s McLaren-TAG MP4/2B, driven by Chris Goodwin in honor of Lauda, who would have turned 75 this year. This car, with its 850 BHP turbo engine, holds significance as the vehicle in which Lauda achieved his final victory in Zandvoort in 1985.
After the impressive display of Lauda’s McLaren, another iconic F1 car emerged – the 1989 Ferrari 640, widely considered one of the most beautiful in history. This V12 powerhouse, equipped with a revolutionary semi-automatic gearbox, made a triumphant return at Goodwood, captivating fans with its unmistakable roar.
However, the Members’ Meeting was not just about showcasing these legendary vehicles; it also featured thrilling historic races. On Saturday afternoon, three races took place, wrapping up the day’s events. The first race was the Hailwood Trophy, which featured the exciting presence of 250cc and 350cc Grand Prix motorcycles, as well as Formula 750 bikes that competed in the 1970s and early 80s. These powerful machines gracefully maneuvered around the Goodwood Circuit, providing an exciting spectacle.
Unfortunately, the race was temporarily interrupted due to an incident at the final chicane, where a driver spun out, spreading oil on the track. However, this interruption only added to the excitement, setting the stage for a thrilling three-way battle for victory. In an exciting photo finish on the last lap, Phil Atkinson emerged as the proud winner aboard his Yamaha TZ350.
Transitioning from two wheels to four, the second race of Saturday afternoon transported spectators back in time to the era of edwardian racing cars. The S.F. Edge Trophy showcased these magnificent vehicles, all built before 1920. One hundred years later, Julian Majzub triumphed in his 1916 Sunbeam ‘Indianapolis’ during the first of two five-lap sprints, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
The conclusion of Saturday presented an exciting race of the Gordon Spice Trophy, full of non-stop action. This 45-minute race featured a mix of professional and amateur drivers who needed to change positions during the pit-stop interval. The race not only showcased the driving skills of these individuals, but also the impressive cars they were piloting. These cars, which included iconic models from the worlds of Touring and Sports Cars, shared the spotlight with the drivers themselves. Renowned figures such as British Touring Car champion Tom Ingram, IndyCar legend Dario Franchitti, and three-time World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx competed in Group 1 Touring Cars from the 1970s to 1982. This meant that Ford Mustangs, Rover SD1s, and Chevrolet Camaros were battling on the track alongside Triumph Dolomites, Ford Escorts, and powerful Mini 1275 GTs. In the end, it was Ash Sutton, a four-time BTCC champion, who clinched victory in his impressive Ford Mustang Boss 302 number 15. Sutton, along with his co-driver Craig Davies, executed a quick pit-stop, allowing Sutton to secure the win in the second part of the race. Timo Berhard and Fred Shepherd finished in second place with their Ford Mustang Boss 302 number 17, while Gordon Shedden and Jack Young completed the podium in their Chevrolet Camaro Z28 number 7 after pulling off some impressive maneuvers against Franchitti and Priaulx, who were driving two other Camaros. As Sunday approaches, fans can expect more action in the races and demonstrations with Can-Am and F1 machines.
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Football player Lionel Messi surprised fans once again with his incredible skill during yesterday’s match. The Argentine star showed why he is considered one of the best players of all time, scoring three goals and providing two assists. With this victory, Messi’s team is getting closer and closer to the league title.
The match started with the opposing team putting on pressure, but Messi quickly took control of the game. With his speed and impeccable technique, he dribbled past defenders and scored the first goal at the 10-minute mark of the first half. Shortly after, he provided a perfect assist for his teammate to score the second goal.
In the second half, Messi continued to shine. He scored two more goals, one of them with a powerful shot from outside the box, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance of defense. Additionally, he provided another assist for his teammate to score the fifth goal of the match.
Fans at the stadium were amazed by Messi’s performance. Many applauded him standing up and called him a football genius. On social media, praises for the player kept pouring in. “Messi is simply incredible. He does things that seem impossible,” commented a fan.
With this victory, Messi’s team is getting closer and closer to winning the league title. And with the player’s exceptional performance, the chances of success are even higher. Now we just have to wait for the next games and see if Messi will continue shining as always.
