Freddie March Spirit of Aviation Concours
Celebrating the aeronautical heritage of the Goodwood estate
The Freddie March Spirit of Aviation Concours d'Elegance is one of the more distinctive elements of the Goodwood Revival weekend, connecting the circuit's motorsport heritage with its earlier life as an operational Royal Air Force station. The concours is held on the grass beside the aerodrome and features a curated display of historic aircraft, presented alongside vintage motor cars in a celebration of mid-twentieth-century design and engineering.
The event is named after Freddie March, the 9th Duke of Richmond and Gordon, who established the motor circuit in 1948 and was himself a pilot and aviation enthusiast. March recognised the connection between speed on the ground and speed in the air, and his vision for Goodwood always encompassed both disciplines. The concours honours that dual heritage by bringing together machines from both worlds in a setting that is uniquely appropriate.
The aircraft displayed at the concours are typically of the same era as the cars racing on the circuit: Second World War fighters, 1950s jet trainers and classic propeller-driven machines from the golden age of aviation. Spitfires, which flew from Westhampnett during the Battle of Britain, are regular and emotionally significant participants. Seeing a Spitfire on the grass at Goodwood, within sight of the runway from which these aircraft once scrambled to defend the south coast, is a powerful historical connection.
The motor cars in the concours are selected for their aesthetic quality, historical significance and connection to the spirit of the event. These are not the racing cars that compete on the circuit but rather road cars, touring cars and grand tourers from the 1930s through the 1960s, chosen for their beauty and elegance. The juxtaposition of aircraft and motor cars creates a visual display that is unlike anything at a conventional concours event.
Judging at the Freddie March concours is based on a combination of provenance, presentation and the subjective quality of style. The emphasis is on the overall impression rather than the mechanical perfection that characterises some concours events. Cars and aircraft are displayed in a relaxed setting, with their owners and pilots often on hand to discuss the history and characteristics of their machines. The atmosphere is informal and approachable, in keeping with the Revival's broader ethos of accessibility.
The concours has grown in stature since its inception and now attracts entries from collections across Europe. The quality of the machinery on display is exceptional, and for many Revival visitors, the concours is a highlight of the weekend that provides a peaceful contrast to the noise and intensity of the racing. The grass beside the aerodrome, with the South Downs rising in the background and the sound of racing cars drifting across from the circuit, is a quintessentially English setting for an event that celebrates two of the nation's great contributions to twentieth-century culture: the motor car and the aeroplane.
The event typically runs across all three days of the Revival, with judging taking place on Saturday. Access is included in the Revival ticket, and the concours area is open to all visitors. Photography is encouraged, and the combination of historic machinery, period-dressed spectators and the rolling Sussex landscape produces images that capture the Revival's unique atmosphere.