Video: 2024 Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy Part 1 Full Race | Goodwood Revival

10th September 2024

Adam Wilkins

The Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy has perhaps the most theatrical start of any race at the Goodwood Revival. Riders sprint from the opposite side of the track before leaping astride their motorcycles, some of which are nearing 100 years old, and tearing off towards Madgwick.

In Part 1 of 2024’s race, it was James Hiller who got the best start, taking the race lead on his 1954 Matchless G80. He was soon joined at the sharp end of the field by the Vincent Black Shadow of Josh Brooks and the Royal Enfield Meteor of Fernando Mendes, all three motorcycles having been built in the same year. The trio circulated together at the front of field, occasionally trading places, until Brookes began to build a gap ahead of the first rider changes.

Most of the pros stay out for as long as possible before handing over to their amateur team-mates. Hillier was the first to pit, handing over to Dan Jackson. TT winner Davey Todd was able to make up places on his 1929 BMW R57 Kompressor while others pitted, going some way to compensating for his poor start.

Amid the driver changes, Ben Kingham led for a time, his slick change-over from Josh Brooks paying dividends. When things settled after the rider changes, it was the Velocette-powered Norton of Michaels Rutter and Russell that came out in front, yet another 1954 machine up front. They eventually took the win, with the podium completed by the Hillier/Jackson pair in second and Brookes/Kingham in third. The Mendes/McLean Royal Enfield, which had been putting in a strong showing early on in the race, failed to finish.

There would be everything to play for, however, in Part 2 of the Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy on the Sunday...