WORDS: ELLIOTT HUGHES | PHOTOS: GOODWOOD
Goodwood has announced that the classic cars racing in the 2024 Revival will exclusively be powered by eco-friendly, sustainable fuel.
The announcement builds on the template set by the Fordwater Trophy staged at this year’s Goodwood Revival, which saw the entire grid of pre-1966 Porsche 911s run on sustainable fuels. It was one of the most high-profile races of the 2023 Revival, and featured a high-calibre field of drivers that included the likes of Jenson Button, Tom Kristensen and Mark Webber.
Goodwood has positioned its move towards sustainable fuels as an extension of its Revive and Thrive ethos, which promotes vintage style as well as heritage and endangered crafts used to create and preserve objects of lasting beauty.
Specifically, Goodwood is mandating that competitors use a fuel that is composed of a minimum of 70 percent sustainable components, mirroring the FIA’s current sustainable-fuel requirements.
Conveniently, no modifications are required for classic race cars to run on sustainable fuels, and there is no detriment to performance. In fact, Porsche specialist Richard Tuthill revealed at this year’s Revival that sustainable fuels can in fact improve engine performance.
Tuthill made the revelation during a panel discussion alongside sustainable fuel developer Anders Hildebrand and five-time Le Mans winner Emanuele Pirro. You can read the full details of the discussion here.
Goodwood will also see sustainable fuels at its season-opening event, the 81st Members’ Meeting, on April 13-14, 2024. Here, sustainable fuels will be compulsory in the Ken Miles Cup and Gordon Spice Trophy.
“Goodwood has an illustrious motor sport history, and one which we are delighted to continue with the announcement that at next year’s Revival, all of our races will run on sustainable fuel,” said the Duke of Richmond, founder of the Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival. “I am proud that we are the first to mandate the use of sustainable fuels at such an event, and would like to thank all of the participating owners, drivers and preparers for their support.”
