Goodwood vs Goodwood?

[antipodes40]

Starting to plan a northern hemisphere holiday with the OH for sometime in 2026. She’s agreed that Goodwood might be worth a visit (we’ve done the Le Mans Classic twice in previous years). The question for me is, which is the better event - Goodwood Festival of Speed or Goodwood Revival?

We’re not hot weather folk, so I’m slightly leaning towards the Revival at this early stage.

What’s the general feeling about either?

[Zag_a_muffin]

My opinion and I don't know why but you go with your mates to FOS and misses to the Revival

[austin]

Revival every time. Proper racing and you can escape the crowds by going round to the back of the circuit.

FOS is just a massive, overpriced set of stalls selling tasteless tat and stands showing modern cars. (Oh and has the occasional car going up the hill.)

[CABC]

Revival every time, esp with OH.
they're both very busy, so be well prepared. walk the whole circuit, hang out around St Mary's to enjoy the peace and close up action.

[RATROD3]

Absolutley without a doubt the answer is REVIVAL , proper racing and your othjer half will love all the other stuff going on.

[Turbobanana]

antipodes40 said:

We’re not hot weather folk...

You'll fit in just fine here then

[thepritch]

Revival without a doubt. You get to see so more and enjoy the whole vibe, not to mention full on racing. The FOS is nice occasionally, but I would tend to get bored.

[WombleCate]

Member’s Meeting!
On-track action close to that of Revival, and, you can actually see it. Less likely to be a heatwave.
Buy a fellowship, two entrance tickets, two grandstands and if you fancy a rest book a lunch place v early.
I think the name originally referred to members of the BRDC.

[Riley Blue]

I prefer the FOS as you see a far wider variety of vehicles from historic race cars to the very latest hyper cars at a once-a-year event. Historic racing racing takes place around the UK throughout the summer at better venues than Goodwood and without all the fancy dress though that may appeal to your O/H.

[Mr Tidy]

I stopped going to the FOS years ago.

The first time I went was the 2nd event and it was fantastic. You could walk around the paddock and see the cars and drivers but as time went on that became more difficult. Then I started going on the Friday as it was less busy, but then that took off to the extent the queue at the bar was 6 deep, so I gave up on it.

Never been to the Revival because I don't do fancy dress, but I've been to a couple of Members Meetings and really enjoyed them because you could easily get a good view - even though the weather was freezing!

[//j17]

If you like cars, including classics of all ages - FOS.
If you like classics and only upto 1966 classics - Revival.

[antipodes40]

Thanks for the responses. Useful comments. Neither of us are into fancy dress, so might investigate Member's Meeting or, as someone suggested, the likes of Thruxton.

[Riley Blue]

If you're having a 'car day' a combined Mercedes World / Brooklands Museum visit might be worth consideration. They're next to each other in Surrey.

https://www.mercedes-benzworld.co.uk

https://www.brooklandsmuseum.com

[GoodOlBoy]

antipodes40 said:

Thanks for the responses. Useful comments. Neither of us are into fancy dress, so might investigate Member's Meeting or, as someone suggested, the likes of Thruxton.

I'd say it's period dress rather than fancy dress and if you go in with an open mind I'm certain you'll enjoy it. It's so well done that you soon become immersed in the atmosphere.

Each to their own but, having attended both I'd say that if you enjoyed the Le Mans Classic enough to attend twice, that the Revival betters it by a factor of ten (especially the racing). IMHO of course.

[aeropilot]

GoodOlBoy said:

antipodes40 said:

Thanks for the responses. Useful comments. Neither of us are into fancy dress, so might investigate Member's Meeting or, as someone suggested, the likes of Thruxton.

I'd say it's period dress rather than fancy dress and if you go in with an open mind I'm certain you'll enjoy it. It's so well done that you soon become immersed in the atmosphere.

Each to their own but, having attended both I'd say that if you enjoyed the Le Mans Classic enough to attend twice, that the Revival betters it by a factor of ten (especially the racing). IMHO of course.

I agree.

The only people that do fancy dress and call it that, are the people that don't understand or don't want to understand the difference between fancy dress and period dress.
And not everyone bothers to wear period dress or be an idiot and go down to the local fancy dress shop to get something in-appropriate.

I marshalled at FOS in the early years up to 2000, and have been to all Revivals since 2006, and for me the Revival wins hands down every time as an event.
As said, the FOS was great in the early days, but the gloss had started to wear off for me by time I went for the last time in 2001, which was the only time I ever went as a ticket buying spectator rather than a marshall.

[lufbramatt]

100% revival. The noise of a grid full of 20+ Shelby Cobras thundering past is something I'll never forget. Plus there's all the aircraft to look round and loads of stalls and a fairground.

You're missing out if you think it's fancy dress- it's pre-'66, so most people will have something that could be made to look appropriate- anything from a tweed jacket and fedora to jeans, white t-shirt and a leather jacket. Just don't go in your best branded sports gear and you'll be fine. It's not dressing up as a pirate or a disney character.

[ettore]

antipodes40 said:

Thanks for the responses. Useful comments. Neither of us are into fancy dress, so might investigate Member's Meeting or, as someone suggested, the likes of Thruxton.

This would be an error. Unlike the somewhat unusual comment further up, there is no place better - in the world - for historic racing. The Revival is an amazing event that you'll both love. FoS is fine, but is a very different thing and is essentially a carshow, not a proper motorsport event.

As others have pointed out, period dress very different from fancy dress - if in doubt, just go smart. It will make perfect sense when you get there.

[ds666]

WombleCate said:

Member’s Meeting!
On-track action close to that of Revival, and, you can actually see it. Less likely to be a heatwave.

A heatwave , made me laugh - last time we went to the Members' Meeting I nearly had to take my mate to hospital with hypothermia.
And as it had snowed overnight we didn't go back for the Sunday racing . ( Exceptional weather ) .
As for dressing up to go to a motor racing event , whether smart or fancy dress, count me out . Race suit is the best I'll so .

[CABC]

ettore said:

antipodes40 said:

Thanks for the responses. Useful comments. Neither of us are into fancy dress, so might investigate Member's Meeting or, as someone suggested, the likes of Thruxton.

This would be an error. Unlike the somewhat unusual comment further up, there is no place better - in the world - for historic racing. The Revival is an amazing event that you'll both love. FoS is fine, but is a very different thing and is essentially a carshow, not a proper motorsport event.

As others have pointed out, period dress very different from fancy dress - if in doubt, just go smart. It will make perfect sense when you get there.

+1
The crowds are a bit annoying but overall it really is unique. Thruxton is no different to a local track down under, lovely, but not a spectacular spectator event. The grumps on here have some valid points, but it is still a unique event.

[Riley Blue]

ettore said:

antipodes40 said:

Thanks for the responses. Useful comments. Neither of us are into fancy dress, so might investigate Member's Meeting or, as someone suggested, the likes of Thruxton.

This would be an error. Unlike the somewhat unusual comment further up, there is no place better - in the world - for historic racing. The Revival is an amazing event that you'll both love. FoS is fine, but is a very different thing and is essentially a carshow, not a proper motorsport event.

As others have pointed out, period dress very different from fancy dress - if in doubt, just go smart. It will make perfect sense when you get there.

I think that those who compete in the hill climb at the FoS would disagree with you; 'motorsport' is much more than circuit racing.