Gearing up for Goodwood

The office is a whirlwind of activity this afternoon as Philip, Julie, Louise, Luke and Albert gather, pack and stow books, banners and (inevitably) umbrellas in the van for transport to the Goodwood Revival. A highlight of the motoring and classic-car year, the Revival has been a can’t-miss date for Porter Press since the event began nearly 20 years ago, and our stand (this year, 131/132 in Revival Marketplace) is a hub of activity on all three days. As is fitting, both for an event where period dress is de rigeur and for manning such a busy stand, Porter Press staff will be attired in spotless 1950s mechanics overalls, although requests to join the pit crews will be politely refused. Philip Porter himself, has yet to reveal his suit, but we are sure it will be met with approval…

Adorning the centre of our stand will be our latest publication, Lotus 18 – the autobiography of Stirling Moss’s ‘912’ by Ian Wagstaff. The thrilling story of the 1961 Monaco Grand Prix, which the great driver won at a canter with no side panels, is told in exquisite detail, together with its many other races and life as a collectors’ prize. We could not have wished for a better subject to take our acclaimed series into double figures. If you’re visiting the show, we look forward to meeting you!

As we prepare for what is always a fun weekend, however, we must spare a thought for the head of the Goodwood estate, who founded the Revival in 1998. Charles March became the 11th Duke of Richmond and Gordon last Friday upon the death of his father, assuming a title that was created when Charles II conferred the dukedom on one of his six illegitimate sons, by his French mistress Louise de Keroualle. The 10 dukes have together made Goodwood one of the most historically interesting, beautiful and thriving country estates in Britain. The oldest existing rules of cricket were drawn up for a match between the 2nd Duke and a neighbour, Mr Brodrick, in 1727; the 3rd Duke founded the Royal Ordnance Survey and features in George Stubbs’s painting The Charlton Hunt, commemorating the great run of 57 miles in 1739; the 4th Duke was one of the original backers of Thomas Lord of Lord’s cricket ground; and the red and gold of the MCC have been the ducal racing colours since 1801. The late duke was responsible for reviving the estate’s horse-racing tradition in founding Glorious Goodwood, high on the South Downs behind the house, and it was his father, the 9th duke, who introduced the motor-racing element. A Bentley mechanic and successful racing driver, the 9th Duke turned a Second World War airfield into a motor circuit, laying the foundation for the Festival of Speed and Revival. The new Duke of Richmond is a scion of an illustrious family, and as his grounds fill with classic cars and skilled drivers this weekend, we can be thankful that this wonderful venue is in such good hands.