The Salvadori Cup was one of the original fixtures when the Goodwood Members’ Meeting returned in 2014. It takes its name from Roy Salvadori, who claimed 14 wins at Goodwood from 1952 to 1965, that span of years taking in machinery ranging from Frazer Nash to Ford GT40.
A 20-minute battle between two Lotus-Climax 15s meant the Salvadori Cup was a gripping finale to the 82nd Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport. Roger Wills got the edge over pole-sitter Bonamy Grimes off the line, and the pair drove away from the pack, leaving James Thrope's Lister-Jaguar ‘Flat Iron’ to run his own race in a lonely third place. Saif Assam made the best start from fifth on the grid, but his progress was stilted after his Lister-Jaguar ‘Knobbly’ became boxed in on the run down to Madgwick.
Away from the lead, another duel was in play between Michael Birch and Shaun Lynn, Birch using his lighter Lotus-Climax 15 to pressure Lynn’s Jaguar ‘Knobbly’ for tenth, while another Climax 15, that of Richard Wilson, was running right on the leaders’ pace as he moved up to 11th.
Grimes managed to lose a piece of his exhaust pipe in his chase of Wills, but to no ill-affect for the remaining eight minutes. Wilson, now up to tenth, was adding to the pressure Assam was under in eighth from Justin Maeers’ Cooper-Climax T49 ‘Monaco’, and overtook the latter to climb to ninth.
As the clock ticked down, back markers would have their say on whether Wills or Grimes would prevail. Wills’ lead has shrunk to under one second as Grimes was setting fastest laps, and with minutes to go he made his move, late on the brakes on the outside of Madgwick, the two brushing briefly. The presence of Julian Majzub, who would finish 17th in the Sadler-Chevrolet MkII, hindered Wills’ chance of getting back at Grimes, who took the win.
Photography by Toby Whales, Jordan Butters and Charlie Brenninkmeijer.
Salvadori famously said: “Give me Goodwood on a summer’s day and you can forget the rest of the world.” The Members’ Meeting may take place in the spring, but we think the sentiment still stands. And with such a long career at the circuit, it’s important that the cars selected for the Salvadori Cup live up to his assertion.
The Salvadori Cup grid is made up of sportscars that raced from 1955 to 1960, with open-top prototypes dominating the field. That means you’ll see the likes of Jaguar D-types trading places with Lister ‘Knobblys’ and Cooper T49 ‘Monacos’.
You’ll find both Alex Brundle and Andy Wallace piloting Jaguar D-types in the Salvadori Cup. The field is full of experienced Goodwood racers, with names on the entry list including regulars such as Julian Majzub, Gary Pearson and Shaun Lynn. One thing’s for sure: the competition will be fierce.
The cars don’t turn a wheel until Sunday, with Official Practice scheduled to take place at 09:25. The race is weekend’s curtain-caller, running into the gloaming with a start time of 18:20. If we’re treated to one if Goodwood’s bright orange sunsets, it will be a spectacle to remember.
Year |
Driver |
Car |
2023 |
Martin Stretton |
Lister Knobbly |
2021 |
Chris Ward |
Lister Knobbly |
2018 |
Martin Stretton |
Lister Knobbly |
2015 |
Sam Hancock |
Lister Knobbly |
2014 |
A Smith |
Lister Knobbly |
Photography by Pete Summers and Joe Harding.
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Salvadori Cup
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82nd Members' Meeting
Members' Meeting