A Good Old-Fashioned Knees-Down: Bikes at the Goodwood Revival 2012

With two weeks to go, Goodwood Revival preparations are reaching fever pitch, but it’s not only about classic cars and extravagant costumes. The two-wheeled brigade is set to put on a thrilling exhibition too, with a pair of races celebrating the golden era of motorcycles.

The motorcycle mainstay at the Revival is the Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy race, which reprises the original Goodwood Saturday motorcycle meeting. Despite the relatively small chronological window for entry (1951-1954), the circuit will be packed with machinery from iconic names such as BSA, MV Agusta, Matchless, Norton, Gilera, BMW and Velocette.

Each motorcycle will have a two-man team, consisting of one professional racer (headline names include Wayne Gardner, Jeremy McWilliams, Cameron Donald, James Haydon, Andrew Pitt, Michael Rutter and Keith Amor) paired up with the owner-rider. Both will ride in each of the two events – one Saturday, one Sunday – and the final times will be aggregated to decide the winner. A Le Mans-style running start will serve to heighten racing drama, as will the mid-race changeover.

A Good Old-Fashioned Knees-Down: Bikes at the Goodwood Revival 2012

After a successful debut last year, the Lavant Scrambles event will see dirty and deafening pre-1966 scramblers storm up their own dedicated course on the Goodwood hillside. Unlike last year’s event, there will now be a competitive element, as well as improved spectator positions and an extended roster of bikes and riders.

Photos: Goodwood