The Porter Press International Revival report

If you weren’t able to witness this year’s Goodwood Revival return in person, you’ve most likely read a few reviews on the event, so you’ll know it comprised the usual mix of proper racing, period attire and many paddocks’ worth of gloriously historic machinery. For us, as Philip Porter mentioned, it was a bit of a challenge as most visitors found it hard to find our repositioned stand. Those who did manage the feat included: VIP representatives from both BRM and Vanwall – fruitful discussions all round, Derek Bell – he popped in for a book signing session, Ultimate McLaren F1 GTR author Mark Cole, Joe Ives – one of the 1989 Camel Trophy-winning brothers, Chas Parker – author of several Porter Press books, and Jean-Jacques Francois – one of the six artists featured in Automotive Art Project. Every one of them, along with the familiar faces of loyal customers and friends, made the generally low levels of footfall far more bearable.

Above: The generous, affable, extremely talented Derek Bell is always ready to tell a great motorsport story while signing copies of his book, All My Porsche Races. Stack them high, he’ll sign them all. 

Above: 32 years ago, Joe Ives was winning the Camel Trophy with brother Bob for Great Britain; now, at last, he has the book to go with it. Here, a very happy Joe poses with Philip Porter and Porter Press Design and Media Manager Abigail Humphries.

Above: Such a pleasure to meet motoring artist extraordinaire Jean-Jacques François. His thought-provoking, ‘ran when parked’ depictions of the 25 N Collection cars in Automotive Art Project continue to draw attention and praise. Image by Abigail Humphries.

While the on-track action was as pulsating as ever, additional excitement was provided by the unveiling of a freshly manufactured Type 15 V16 Mk1 BRM by the Duke of Richmond and John Owen, son of Sir Alfred Owen. The car would appear on track later that day heading a parade of 30-plus BRMs, but not before the Duke had clambered in for an impromptu seat fitting. He appeared delighted to be behind the wheel, gripping it like Fangio at the Circuit d’Albi. 

Above: The Duke of Richmond (formerly Lord March) prepares to enter the cockpit of BRM’s new-from-the-ground-up V16 Mk1 grand prix car. Image by Philip Porter.

Another absolute highlight was the heartfelt tribute to Sir Stirling Moss, aka ‘Mr Goodwood’. A vast number of the cars he competed in took to the track, led by the most famous of them all, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR 722 – said to be its very last outing before a permanent return to Stuttgart. Strolling through the Moss tribute paddock, seeing cars such as the Aston Martin DBR1 that he drove to overall victory at the 1958 Nürburgring 1000km, a Mercedes-Benz W196 (Moss won his first Grand Prix driving one at the 1955 British GP) and the revered Lotus 18 that he used so effectively at Monaco in 1961 proved particularly poignant.

Above: Lady Susie Moss in the passenger seat of the 300 SLR, with Damon Hill, Sir Jackie Stewart and Elliot Moss standing alongside. Photo by Dominic James.

Above: Moss’s 1958 Nürburgring 1000km-conquering Aston Martin DBR1 – still so easy on the eye.

Article by Wayne Batty