The Goodwood Revival returned in 2026 for its 29th edition, keeping the same formula that has defined the event since its debut in 1998 (the only year it skipped was 2020). Over 150,000 spectators flooded the historic circuit, immersing themselves in a celebration that combined period-correct cars and motorcycles, live music and a distinctly British atmosphere that was, this year, wrapped in Italian style.
Italian theme and the Vespa spectacle
To mark the 80th anniversary of the Vespa and the centenary of Maserati’s racing activity, the organisers chose “La Dolce Vita” as the central motif. The opening parade featured more than 300 Vespas and Lambrettas from every era, weaving a bright tide of Italian design through the grandstand rows. The crowd cheered as the Vespa Acrobats performed daring stunts, while vintage scooters from the pre-1967 era acted as moving tributes to post-war Italy. The Turning Circle was turned into a replica of a 1950s Italian piazza, where jazz bands and vintage fashion stalls reinforced the La Dolce Vita ambience.
Historic racing highlights
Every day began at 8 a.m. with the roar of Spitfire aircraft taking off from the Goodwood aerodrome, a tradition that signals the start of on-track action. Friday’s programme culminated in the Stirling Moss Memorial Trophy a 60-minute sprint for closed-body GTs built before 1963 and displacing over three litres. The race was clinched by the Ferrari 250 GT SWB driven by Alexander Van der Lof and Yemer Buurman. Saturday saw Mark Gillies dominate the Goodwood Trophy in an ERA A-type R3A, while Richard Wilson took the Lavant Cup aboard a Maserati 250S. The Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy honoured pre-1960 500 cm³ motorcycles, with the Vincent Black Shadow of Booth-Amos and Kingham crossing the line first.
Classic pre-war machinery returned for the Brooklands Trophy and the headline St. Mary’s Trophy turned the circuit into a battlefield of Mini Cooper S, Lotus Cortina, BMW 1800 TI/SA, Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA, Jaguar Mk2, Ford Galaxie and Plymouth Barracuda. The thrilling duel left the audience in a frenzy. Sunday’s climax, the RAC TT Celebration presented by DUNLOP, saw André Lotterer pilot a Jaguar E-Type “Low Drag” Coupé to victory, while Joe Colasacco earned the “Driver of the Meeting” award, receiving a Rolex Perpetual 1908 engraved trophy.
Stars, legends and special tributes
The entry list read like a hall of fame: Sir Jackie Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi, Derek Bell, Dario Franchitti, Emanuele Pirro, Jenson Button, Jason Plato and Jimmy Johnson all took to the track. A special gathering celebrated Sir Jack Brabham’s birth centenary and his third World Championship, while the 60th anniversary of the historic Ford GT 40 triple that swept the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans was marked by the reunion of the three original cars on the circuit. One of the GT 40s was driven by nine-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen under the stewardship of the Miller Family Automobile Foundation.
Closing party, DUNLOP partnership and cultural extras
For the first time, the event ended early at 17:30 on Sunday. The Duke of Richmond transformed the start-grid into a dance floor; guests swayed to the sounds of American singer Dandy Wellington and his jazz band, enjoying cake and white wine under the setting sun. This year also marked DUNLOP’s debut as the first presenting partner of the Revival, a partnership that harked back to the tyre maker’s original sponsorship of Goodwood in 1948. DUNLOP’s Earls Court stand proudly displayed the three 1966 Le Mans-winning GT 40s, reinforcing the event’s historic narrative.
Beyond racing, the Revival offered a “Revive & Thrive” programme that highlighted sustainable repair, vintage fashion shows, beauty salons of the 1950s and a vintage-style amusement area called “Over the Road”. The atmosphere encouraged visitors to dress in period clothing, reinforcing the event’s mantra that heritage and fun can coexist. With the next edition scheduled for 17-19 September 2027, the spirit of La Dolce Vita is set to return to Goodwood.
