The 1908 French Grand Prix might well have been the most expensive race in history as it attracted a whole fleet of brand new racing cars from Italy, Germany, France and Great Britain. (Photo: ultimatecarpage.com) » More Photos

Anniversaries, anniversaries and anniversaries
The cars and motorcycles that were sent out on the hill were divided in around two dozen classes, many of which represented some sort of anniversary. These included the 100th anniversary of the 1908 French Grand Prix, the 60th anniversary of Porsche, the 50th birthday of both Lola and the British Touring Car Championship, and the 40th anniversary of the Formula 5000 class and of the first Gulf victory at Le Mans.

The 1908 French Grand Prix might well have been the most expensive race in history as it attracted a whole fleet of brand new racing cars from Italy, Germany, France and Great Britain. There would be no GP for the next three years, rendering most of these machines obsolete after one weekend. Among the nine machines present at Goodwood were two examples of the victories Mercedes 140 hp as well as two Benz 120 hps, which finished second and third. Mark Walker impressed in his Panhard et Levassor, which he raced up the hill in spectacular fashion, terrifying his ‘riding mechanic’.

The ‘Porsche Class’ saw many familiar machines, like a Gulf liveried 917K, a 911 2.8 RSR and a 956. Our attention was grabbed by a racing car designed by Dr. Ing. Ferdinand Porsche when he was still employed by others; a 1910 Austro-Daimler Prince Henry. The elegant machine boasts a sophisticated and relatively small overhead camshaft engine, which produced a hefty 95 bhp. It was brought to Goodwood by Ernst Piech, a grandson of Ferdinand Porsche. A great enthusiast, Mr Piech reveled at the opportunity to drive his grandfather’s creation for the first time since it was restored.