Goodwood’s 83rd Members’ Meeting drew huge crowds to West Sussex, with its particular emphasis on commemorating two defining figures of 1970s motorsport proving hugely popular.
Central to the weekend was a tribute to ‘The James Hunt Years’, marking 50 years since his 1976 Formula 1 World Championship. A field of period Formula 1 cars took to the circuit in demonstration runs, including the McLaren M23 in which Hunt secured the title. Freddie Hunt took to the wheel of a McLaren M26 associated with the 1977 season, while elsewhere the sights and sounds of his father’s famous nightclub were recreated.
A parallel celebration marked 50 years since Barry Sheene’s first World Championship. More than 30 500cc Grand Prix motorcycles from the period 1974 to 1984 took to the track in a dedicated demonstration, led by Freddie Sheene and Steve Parrish. The scale of the gathering and the variety of machines provided one of the most evocative sequences of the weekend, linking multiple eras of Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
Another defining moment came with Jenson Button’s return to the Brawn BGP 001. Driving the car for the first time since 2019, Button completed a series of demonstration laps, marking a reunion with the machine that delivered his 2009 Formula 1 World Championship. All three BGP 001 chassis were present at the circuit, brought together for the first time, with two displayed alongside the track.
Touring car racing from the late 1990s and early 2000s formed another major component of the programme. More than 40 Super Touring cars were assembled, representing a wide range of manufacturers and liveries from the period. A 20-car on-track demonstration was followed by a competitive Shoot-Out, building to a final on Sunday that saw Robb Huff record the fastest time.
The weekend also saw the dynamic debut of the Lanzante 95-59. Driven by Kenny Bräck, the car ran in a series of high-speed demonstrations across both days. It formed part of a broader display by Lanzante, which included a McLaren F1, McLaren P1 Spyder and Ford GT40.
On the racing side, all fuelled by sustainable fuel, two new events were introduced. The Protheroe Cup, held on Saturday, marked the 65th anniversary of the Jaguar E-type and brought together a competitive grid of pre-1963 examples, with Dario Franchitti taking victory. The Phil Hill Cup, inspired by mid-1960s sportscar racing, was won by Jenson Button on his Members’ Meeting race debut, delivering close competition across the field.
Elsewhere, established races returned to the programme. The Win Percy Trophy featured Group 1 saloon cars, with Robb Huff taking overall honours. The Bruce McLaren Trophy brought together a full grid of Can-Am and Group 7 machinery, with Phil Keen taking victory, while the Gordon Spice Trophy again showcased Group 1 saloons, with Romain Dumas and Fred Shepherd winning after closely contested racing.
Away from the circuit, the Bonhams auction formed part of the Sunday schedule, offering a range of historic and competition cars. Notable results included a manual Lamborghini Murciélago and a Gallardo LP560-2 50th Anniversary, which both exceeded pre-sale expectations – the former sold for £264,500, while the latter sold for £103,500. The 1939 SS 100 Jaguar 3½-Litre Sports owned by the late artist Michael Turner for 70 years sold for £218,500. More details on the Bonhams sale can be found here.
More details on the 83rd Members’ Meeting can be found here.
