The alarm duly went off at 5am on the morning of Sunday 22nd March, there aren't many events that would warrant such an early alarm call in my house, but the Members' Meeting is one that fits the bill. After we had such a good day last year at the first running of the meeting after many years of being dormant, we were looking forward to what Goodwood had to offer us this year. On a deceptively cold day we wrapped up warm, to explore the visual treats provided by Lord March.
The smallish crowd gathered waiting for the gates to open, as we were not alone in wanting to get there for the opening time.
You will notice the absence of people at this early hour, which is the reason for our early alarm call, as it isn't very often you see a deserted track at Goodwood.
Menacing looking Porsche resting in its garage, with its front peeking out into the light.
The mighty looking P1 GTR sunbathing. Looks fast standing still doesn't it?
Whilst the car runs on high octane fuel it seems that Rory and team run on high Caffeine fuel!
Lots of pre-event tinkering going on in the paddock.
Patination at its best, literally coated in history.
Little & Large.
If you wanted to stay out of the cold, the Great Hall was the place to get refuelled. I must say that Goodwood have the best Bacon and Egg rolls found at any venue we have ever been too!
After strolling round the deserted paddock and garages early in the morning, and taking onboard some of Lord March's cuisine it was time to get trackside and watch the racing commence. The first place we stopped was near the infamous chicane.
The chicane caught a few drivers out as can be seen here with No 21 heading off in totally the wrong direction.
The front runners attacked it at speed and popped a wheel in the air whist doing so.
You can't say that they weren't trying can you?
The chicane has the advantage for spectators that it tends to bunch the field up as can be seen here.
As the chicane attracted a largish crowd, we then headed off to find somewhere a bit quieter, and so after a quick ride on the trailer pulled by a tractor we got off at the far end of the circuit at Lavant corner where there was plenty of room to move. Next up it was the Sopwith Cup. If you thought that A40's like this one wouldn't be going very fast, then think again as Richard Meins in No 46 did a lap at an average speed in excess of 87mph!
Probably the fastest police car in Sussex at the weekend! Nice race number too!
The trusty Land Rover was out after each race towing in the cars that had hit trouble.
Next up was the high speed demonstration of the ferocious Group C cars.
The Martini stripes look good on just about any car don't they?
The noise from these machines was just immense.