Early arrival at the Goodwood for the 80th Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport is rewarded by a few unique sights. For a start, the paddocks are fairly empty in terms of crowds, giving an unfettered view of the machinery as it slumbers.
You’ll also bear witness to the hum of activity around the cars, as their custodians and preparers ready them for a day of activity. While the cars will be all together and perfectly polished for the rest of the day, some of them are in bits early in the morning while the mechanics tinker. Take for example, a number of the GT1 cars.
A few of the Astons had their glorious Prodrive-fettled race-spec V12s on show, with a giant carbon air box and inlet pipes dominating further back in the bay. The Lister is similarly equipped, albeit with a pair of inlet trumpets sprouting off the air box, looming over its inboard suspension. The Ferraris were bonnet-off too, revealing the absolutely enormous outlet tunnels for the front-mounted radiators, taking up more space than the screaming V12 engine. The Corvettes were in bits too, while mechanics fettled the Vipers. Our best guess? Sunday was an early session for the GT1s, so we were witnessing some essential car preparation.
Elsewhere in the paddocks the cars are looking rather more together. The 911s just sit pretty in the dim morning light, with their liveries popping spectacularly against the grey background.
Photography by Joe Harding.
80MM
Members' Meeting
GT1
Paddocks
Early morning
Gallery