’50s sportscars race into the sunset at the 2023 Revival | Freddie March Memorial Trophy

08th September 2023

Adam Wilkins

Competitive action at the 2023 Goodwood Revival got under way with the Freddie March Memorial Trophy, the hour-long, two-driver race.

It began the daylight and ended after darkness had descenced over the circuit by the time the chequered flag dropped. Plenty happended in the intervening time. Alex Buncombe capitalised on pole by opening up a huge lead before handing over to Jenson Button. The Formula 1 world champion maintained the advantage for a time, until a misfire chipped away at his lap times.

This allowed Richard Bradley to take his Maserati 250S to first place on the road, but a ten-second penalty meant that Button still had the lead... until he had to retire to the pitlane. The Bradley/Wilson Maserati took the win, followed home by the Jake Hill/Gregor Fisken HWM-Jaguar, which had risen from fourth on the grid.

What a way to round of day one of the 2023 Goodwood Revival.

The race is named after the Duke of Richmond’s grandfather, who originally brought motorsport to the former RAF Westhampnett airfield in 1948. Fittingly, the grid features beautiful sportscars of the 1950s of the type the competed in the Goodwood Nine Hour Race.

Historic names include Frazer Nash, Cooper and Allard, while marques that have endured into the 21^st century also feature on the entry list. Jaguar (C-Types and a sole XK140), Maserati (250S) and a whole pack of Ferraris (340MM, 750 Monza, 250 MM, 500 TRC) will be battling on the historic Goodwood circuit, promising close racing and graceful four-wheel slides throughout the field.