We finally got out of the flat just before 7, cleverly we'd got the Jupiter out and parked in front of the flat for the drive to Goodwood. You will notice the coffee cup in front of the car, that's how early it was
Out destination was Goodwood, where Soft Top Sunday was being held. We'd heard about it from a few different places, and it seemed like a good idea - a free car show with several different places (catering vans and a couple of cafes) to get breakfast.
After a quick trip round the M25 at a comfortable 65mph, we headed down the A3 to the coast. Through a couple of villages and then signposts started appearing for Goodwood. Our convoy was Keith's Jupiter, Amy's Jupiter, and Amy's 1990 Eunos Roadster (imported MX5). Two of us had a hood, and I think I probably had the best heater by some distance in the MX5
I think I was the only one with a radio as well.
We had expected a hundred cars, maybe two hundred, but this was something else. When we arrived just after 9, despite having our soft tops booked in, they had run out of space. The paddocks were full, the grid was full, every spare space around the pedestrian areas of the track had cars parked in it! Luckily it wasn't too long before the early starters were making their way home, so space was freed up for us to get the cars in.
Breakfast at the Aero Cafe was distinctly average, they didn't even do Hot Chocolate for me to put some sugar back into the system
With a bit of effort the breakfast could be a bit of a draw, as it was you were basically choosing between a bacon, sausage or egg bap, and tea or coffee. That said, it was food, and we had a seat, so no big complaints. The view from the Aero Cafe:
We then went for a look around the cars, and this was a show that seemed to cover a huge range of periods of soft top manufacture. There was everything from very early Rolls Royce right through to brand new MX5s.
After the cars were starting to filter out (the event is only open until 12 noon) we signed up for the parade lap - this was an opportunity to drive the cars in a sensible manner around the track. We parked up at the preparation area and met a few people who were very interested in the cars. We drove out onto the track and could really open up on the straighter sections and have a bit of fun.
Parked waiting to be unleashed onto the track...
Video to follow from the track, just uploading to Youtube and adding suitable soundtrack
A rather nice D type was in front of us on the track, apparently a replica but looked rather good, not sure how practical it would be for daily use though
Owner talking to Keith and Amy in the background before we went out.
And a bit of a 50s vs 90s photo, currently working on an article for a car club publication, the similarities in size, weight, engine size, layout etc between the MX5/Eunos and the Jupiter is quite surprising. Not a bad pair for weekday and weekend fun!
We left Goodwood around 12:30 and were back home by 2:30, this is an event that happens regularly with different themes, and I'd definitely recommend it for the sheer number of different types of cars, and if you are local to Goodwood it would certainly be a good way to spend a morning. The early start was worth it, but I think I'll avoid getting up at that time on a Sunday for a while yet. 4 hours on the road and 150 miles is a lot for one day.
Now it is very definitely time for an afternoon snooze while Amy drives grandparents around
Jack.
