The romance of Goodwood’s annual Revival meeting lies in its attention to detail. Paddocks echo with the clink of spanners and the murmur of old friends reunited, while the air is alive with the sound of carburettors clearing their throats. Spectators are not passive observers, but cast members to the ultimate period-correct movie, dressed as though they’ve stepped from a grainy Pathé newsreel. Couples waltz to big-band tunes, children gasp as Spitfires arc across the sky, and mechanics smear their overalls with the same oil stains their fathers once did. Yet, amid the nostalgia, there is a joy that feels refreshingly current. Racing at Goodwood is no polite procession, it is raw, with drivers dicing door-to-door in priceless machinery. Everywhere you look, even after almost 30 years, the Revival delivers something truly special for every kind of enthusiast; whether you're a car lover or fashion obsessed, you’ll be sure to find your niche here. We’ve hand-picked five things to keep an eye out for at this year’s event to ensure 2025 is your best Revival yet!
Spot all the Split Screens
Few vehicles embody freedom and optimism quite like the Volkswagen Type 2 Split Screen. With its iconic divided windscreen and unmistakable silhouette, the “Splittie” became more than just a practical workhorse, it was a symbol of counterculture, wanderlust, and a new way of life on the move. From surfboards strapped to its roof along California’s coast to makeshift beds tucked inside on pan-European road trips, the VW bus turned transport into lifestyle, and is set to be the star of Revival’s track opening ceremony this year. Expect to see dozens take to the circuit and parade around, some sporting original speed shop graphics and patina, while others will shimmer with candy paintjobs and custom chrome wheels. If you’re a sucker for a Split Screen, this is a moment not to be missed!
Rub shoulders with Racing Royalty
If there’s one thing that Goodwood does better than just about any event on the planet, it’s bring together an incredible array of drivers to lap their iconic circuit. Le Mans legends like Tom Kristensen and Emanuele Pirro will be put to the test against some of the best names in touring car racing history, with Goodwood regulars Jake Hill, Andrew Jordan and Tom Ingram all itching to come out on top. We advise perching up track-side for the St Mary’s Trophy, where some of the event’s most famous names will strap into loveable classics like the Austin Mini Cooper S, Lotus Cortina and even a BMW 1800 or two, battling it out for motorsport supremacy. Aside from the on-track action, there’s always a chance to spot a famous name or two wandering among the vintage stalls and paddocks, with Dita Von Teese making her Revival debut for 2025.
Soak up the Style
While you could very easily spend the entire three days of the event ogling icons of the road and race track, Revival prides itself of creating an atmosphere that is truly unlike any other, even without the cars. Its dress code encourages visitors to don attire ranging from the 1920s right through to 1966, when the final race meeting was originally held at the circuit. This span of decades ensures all aspects of fashion are covered, from period-correct Royal Air Force commanders to Brigitte Bardot doppelgangers.
Hang out with the Hot Rods
One of our favourite moments of 2024’s Goodwood Revival was immersing ourselves in the many subcultures the event creates as you wander around the grounds of the circuit, of which the 1950s Americana area quickly became our go-to hangout spot. Filled with jaw-dropping dragsters and candy flaked-Cadillacs, the atmosphere feels incredibly authentic, with couples dancing the night away to live rock’n’roll bands and the smell of fresh hamburgers on the grill.
Once the famous Goodwood sun finally sets, the areas come alive with Drive-In movie theatres showing repeats of Grease to really set the mood. If you’ve ever wanted to truly go back in time, this is as close as you’ll get without a DeLorean!
Romanticise about the Alfa Romeos
This year’s event will celebrate many milestones, including the aforementioned Volkswagen Type 2s, as well as the Rolls-Royce Phantom’s centenary, but one of the biggest will be the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Alfa Romeo’s victory at the 1975 World Sportscar Championship. The Revival will remember the legendary drivers who piloted these machines, including four-time Grand Prix winner Antonio Ascari, five-time World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio, five-time Grand Prix winner and the first World Drivers’ Champion Giuseppe Farina, and Alfa Romeo’s most famous and celebrated pre-war driver Tazio Nuvolari. There's plenty to enjoy this weekend in Goodwood, but the sight of some of the marques most-loved machines taking to the circuit will be one to remember!
Photos by Elliot Newton and Goodwood Press Office
