Goodwood Members' Meeting
The most exclusive event on the Goodwood motorsport calendar
The Goodwood Members' Meeting occupies a special place in the estate's motorsport calendar. Held over a weekend in late March or early April, it is open only to members of the Goodwood Road Racing Club and their guests, giving it an intimate, almost conspiratorial atmosphere that the larger Festival of Speed and Revival cannot match. The crowd is smaller, the access is closer and the racing is no less competitive.
The Members' Meeting revives a tradition from the circuit's original era. Between 1948 and 1966, the British Automobile Racing Club held regular members' meetings at Goodwood, providing a programme of races for club competitors alongside demonstrations and social events. These were the bread and butter of the circuit's calendar, less glamorous than the major international meetings but beloved by the racing community for their friendly, inclusive character. The modern Members' Meeting, relaunched in 2014, captures that spirit while drawing on the resources and machinery that the Goodwood name now commands.
The racing programme typically features a mix of single-seater, sports car, touring car and GT races, all restricted to pre-1966 machinery in keeping with the circuit's heritage policy. The grid quality is remarkable. Cars that would be the star exhibit at any other historic event are here in numbers, driven by a mix of gentleman amateurs, professional historic racing drivers and occasionally a current or former Formula One star. The intimacy of the event means that spectators can watch the racing from vantage points that would be roped off at larger meetings, and the paddock atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming.
The highlight for many is the high-speed demonstration runs that take place between races. These feature cars that are too valuable, too significant or too powerful to race competitively but which the owners and the organisers want the audience to see and hear at speed. Recent Members' Meetings have featured Formula One cars from every decade, Group C prototypes, Can-Am monsters and pre-war Grand Prix machinery. The sound of a 1930s Auto Union on full throttle around the Goodwood circuit is something that stays with you.
The social side of the Members' Meeting is important. The event has the feel of a large, well-catered garden party with racing attached. The catering is a step above the typical motorsport offering, with the Goodwood estate's own produce featuring prominently. Bars, food stalls and hospitality areas are spread around the circuit, and the atmosphere is convivial rather than competitive among the spectators.
Membership of the Goodwood Road Racing Club is required for attendance, and the club has a waiting list. Annual membership includes access to the Members' Meeting, priority booking for the Festival of Speed and Revival, and use of the circuit for track days and driving experiences throughout the year. The membership model ensures that the event retains its exclusive character and that the crowd is composed predominantly of genuine motorsport enthusiasts rather than casual day-trippers.
The Members' Meeting has quickly established itself as one of the highlights of the historic racing season. Its combination of intimate scale, high-quality racing, exclusive access and convivial atmosphere makes it the event that many Goodwood regulars rate as their favourite of the three major meetings.