Goodwood Revival 2012

The 2012 Goodwood revival was actually very well attended - this little group was in the airfield enclosure

We couldn't have wanted for better weather at the Goodwood Revival, leastways not on the Saturday. It was like the summers we used to have, with a threshing machine again on the inside of the circuit, and the opportunity for many of the lay-deez to show off in their finery.

It was a sell out event but not everyone bothered to dress up. Those that did enjoyed themselves more I think - it makes for a far greater sense of occasion.

The tax exempt car park was well worth a look

The gentlemen were showing off, too, invariably in military clothes of some kind and after a bit I began to feel a bit uncomfortable. The Cold War was at its height during the fifties and sixties but I don't think we ever had quite that many admirals. Or brigadiers. There were even a pair dressed in WW2 German army uniforms at the entrance insisting we got our papers ready for inspection. I grinned at them entering into the spirit of the Revival but later wondered what the German visitors would think - and there were many foreign visitors.

If you prefer aircraft to cars, you'll still love Goodwood.

Among those in my party was my cousin's husband who is an Irish-Australian and it was interesting to hear his take on Britain celebrating its darkest days when everyone was getting bombed, shot at and rationed. He asked someone in uniform why they relished a time they could never know themesleves and they simply said that it was the only time the UK had pulled togetehr instead of grumbling about things. "And look what we achieved," he added.

Personally, I don't think I can take any credit for stemming the rise of fascism 70 years ago but I understood where he was coming from.

By Jove, these chaps look authentic

The sheer numbers of uniforms on show still made me feel uneasy. To be brutally honest, most of the soldiers were not of a serving age and it began to feel like some fancy dress pageant.

Remembering the few

But then we spotted these two lads, Jonathan Tolson and Dafydd Thomas, of re-enactment society 212 Squadron, and I understood the efforts some people go to look right. With Hawker Hurricanes and  Supermarine Spitfires taking off and landing in the background, I also understood why people feel nostalgic about this far off time. The planes were incredible - art and engineering in a package most people can instantly recognise. And the chaps who flew these kites were young and brave, determined to do their duty - not a word you hear very much these days.

Meanwhile back on the present day ground, the racing was very close in the dry conditions. The Goodwood Revival can easily become a simple social occasion and I later discovered many of my friends were there. I could get be more organised next year and arrange to meet up with them but if I was there for just a chinwag I'd miss poking round the paddock and watching the racing. And what racing!

Cheeky! A40 nips passed the Mk1 Jag for the lead. It did this several times at this spot having been burnt off on the straights elsewhere on the circuit

The Classic Saloons were superb - Austin A40s harrying the Jags into the corners and scampering after the big cats like a cat and mouse game gone wrong.

1963 Tojeiro-Ford - 0-60 in 2.5 seconds

Then there were the Can-Am cars, which appalled and impressed with their brute power, low build and smell of hot brakes at the end of the Lavant Straight where I was spectating.

This was a front wheel drive Bond. The 997cc Anglia engine sits behind the gearbox and drives forward to the front axle via a special diff

The last race I saw was a Formula Junior race, up to now not a class I've had much interest in to be honest but having seen these elegant little cars race this hard that could all change.

Poking around the paddock I found this racing Metropolitan. I never knew these slightly grown up dodgem cars raced and had assumed they were just for show. This one sound beautifully crisp.

Gradually, the sun went down and the paddocks cleared only for the funfair lining the way back to the classic car park to come alive.

Ferrari 250GTOs as immortalised by Sinita and at £30M apiece

Next year I really must get my picture taken with the Glamcab Girls. The idea of attending for more than one day also appeals.