Goodwood Festival of Speed Part 2
1998 Ferrari F300, the first Ferrari designed by Rory Byrne, in which Michael Schumacher took six wins during the season.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
Whilst the main theme for this year’s Festival was ‘Rivals Epic Racing Duels’ you will, by the end of this piece, be thinking ‘There was a lot of Americana on show’ and you would be correct. Firstly, the Duke loves all things Americana, it runs in the family. The 3rd Duke of Richmond (1735-1806), known as the radical Duke, was a firm supporter of American independence and it is believed that a large scale handwritten ceremonial parchment of the Declaration of Independence found in a small West Sussex record office had once belonged to the 3rd Duke, and was possibly gifted to him by the radical intellectual Thomas Paine, who had migrated to America in 1774. So with 2026 being America’s 250th birthday, why not celebrate the fact and also at the same time announce the formation of the new Goodwood Road Racing Club of America. So what follows is a fair bit of Americana, plus a liberal sprinkling of other stuff, and of course some Ferraris. [Read more…] about Goodwood Festival of Speed Part 2
Heroes of the Forest Reviewed
by Ken Gross
You’d expect a masterpiece from Dr. Mark Brinker, after his superb, multi-volume books on “Japan’s Most Astonishing Automobiles” and “The Amazing Denzel Sports Car.” And you won’t be disappointed with his latest effort — “Heroes of the Forest.”
The historic Pebble Beach Road Races, contested on the twisty backroads of the scenic Del Monte Forest, in Monterey, California, for seven remarkable years, from 1950 to 1956, attracted the top drivers and the best sports cars in the country. The grids included production models, many of which were modified, and clever homebuilt specials. More than a racing odyssey, this was a fabulous social event, set in a gorgeous location, with posh patrons hobnobbing among a host of drivers, both amateurs and professionals. The course was wickedly fast. With towering pines and glacial boulders located scarily adjacent to the impossibly narrow road, it could be deadly. Hundreds of cars competed until (spoiler alert) Ernie McAfee’s fatal crash in Bill Doheny’s Ferrari 121LM led to the establishment of the Laguna Seca Race Track. [Read more…] about Heroes of the Forest Reviewed
An Artist at Road America
Eagle IV Bardahl: Color, repetition of shapes, contrast of form.
Photos by Scott Callan
Here’s what Scott Callan sees, what his camera sees, what we see…
and what do you see?
We’ve covered Scott Callan’s illustrious work from time to time in the past. Last week he dropped us an email; when he sends along a few new links to his already impressive website, we feel compelled to take a look. Then taken aback.
For whatever it is that makes an artist, he’s got it in spades, to paraphrase Katherine Hepburn. Callan describes his work as ‘an art director with a camera.’ The camera in this case is a fully manual Nikon D810, described as “ a professional-grade, 36.3-megapixel full-frame digital SLR camera built with a durable magnesium alloy body, weather-sealing, and high-end imaging capabilities tailored for working experts.” [Read more…] about An Artist at Road America
Classics at Royal Highland Showground
Story and photos by Graham Gauld
Every year there is a large classic car show held at the Royal Highland Showgrounds here in Wadebridge and I dutifully attend to bring home to Veloce readers any interesting finds. Despite many hundreds of cars arriving, I must say most of them are standard issue British classics, Austin Healeys and Triumphs of every shape and colour, and by far the more interesting are the odd pre-war cars that were classics of their day.
Take, for example, this Riley 9 of around 1932 vintage in concours condition but a very rare model, the “Plus Ultra Monaco”. [Read more…] about Classics at Royal Highland Showground
250 F Discussion Part 2: Owner’s Manual
Goodwood Festival of Speed 2026
Al Unser Junior in the 1994 Penske Mercedes PC-23, ‘the pushrod car.’ Here he gives Sharp the thumbs up.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
Jonathan Sharp has been reporting from Goodwood since 2012.
The final stop on my boiling hot July tour of the stately homes of England: Goodwood for the Festival of Speed. The theme for this year’s event, ‘Rivals-epic racing duels,’ produced a fantastic cross section of entries from steam cars to Hybrid F1 cars, with some excellent pairing of cars being demonstrated on the hill side by side: Ferrari 330 P3 / GT40, Alfa Romeo P3 / Bugatti Type 51, the Blitzen Benz and the Beast of Turin etc.
Royal Automobile Club Concours 2026
From a private collection, 1937 Lancia Aprilia
This is part 2 of the recent Royal Automobile Club Concours. But let me pause for a moment to reflect upon the achievements of our truly intrepid British correspondent, Jonathan Sharp. I need not use words: just think about the following events Sharp has covered for us just since January. All were multiple features; Retro itself had four parts. I have included links to the articles just in case you don’t believe what you are seeing. Our sincere thanks to Jonathan and his wife Jose for the remarkable turn of events! –Ed.
Concorso Italiano Updates
Concorso Italiano is only weeks away! This year featuring Ducati and Vespa, as well as the famous Italian Car Display. Below are links, costs, and how to register your vehicle. [Read more…] about Concorso Italiano Updates
1928 Amilcar: French Joy
From the Archives, August 2017
Story and photos by Pete Vack
They are charming, as only a French car can be. They are rare; only a few were ever made, a long, long time ago. They are almost totally useless, as many classics are. They are relatively slow and they are stiffly sprung, as a car made in the mid-twenties can often be. Most have no differential, so a locked rear end is a way of life. They have no weather protection, making them inadequate outside of California. Parts must be fabricated, not bought. No one knows what they are.
Ferrari Behind the Fence: Sebring 1961
2026 Royal Automobile Club Concours
Margaret Hocking’s 1964 Abarth Simca 2000 Corsa, extensively campaigned in period at various Italian Hill climbs, and also contested the 1967 Targa Florio in the hands of Alfonso Vella and Alfonso Merendino, retiring after six laps.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
July seems to be the month for Concours events staged at the stately homes of England. This time it was supposed to be but a short drive up to Surrey to the country estate of the Royal Automobile Club on July 8 for the second edition of their Concours. But due to an accident on the southbound carriageway of the M23, the journey took twice as long, and these delays seem to be a theme starting here.
The RAC country estate, Woodcote Park, is up on the Surrey Downs just over the road from the Epsom horse racing track and it was yet another blooming hot day. Fantastic setting though, with parking on the golf course and then a short walk downhill to the main house passing a line of Supercars along the way.