The Goodwood Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport paddocks at night are a truly magical sight, and a genuine privilege those behind the curtain – and eager stragglers – can enjoy after a long busy day. On top of the usual sporadic paddock lighting, on the Saturday night, we have the fireworks overhead to add some pyrotechnical colour to the already dramatic scenes.
The end result? Rows of GT1 cars – from the trio of Corvettes and Vipers flanking the Saleen, to the seven-strong row of DBR9s, subtly flexing their hardware being up on their in-built air jacks. The way the lights and fireworks dance across the curves of the Astons is delightful. Meanwhile, if the lights were off and only stars in the sky, we reckon the bright red Ferraris would still be visible.
Moving down the line we have a stunning line of Porsche 993 GT2 Evos, which haven’t got a lot of attention in the 911 demo, if only because of the majesty of the 935s, RSRs, Moby Dick and the GT1s. Here in the paddocks, though? Pure PS1 nostalgia, literally, given one of them was wearing a PlayStation livery.
The cold, sad truth? A number of us didn’t actually see the fireworks going off over the cars, given we were swilling a day-ending pint over at the party. Extra credit has to go out to our snapper Pete, who was on his own in the paddocks capturing these magic moments, as fire fell from the skies. Most photos involving sparks, flames, smoke and GT racers involve the former coming out of their exhausts. Not in this case.
Photography by Pete Summers
Fireworks
80MM
Members' Meeting
Paddocks