The 83rd Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport delivered a sun-soaked celebration of motorsport in its purest and most evocative form, blending heritage, high-speed competition and emotional tributes into a weekend that felt as much like a time capsule as it did a forward-looking showcase of sustainable racing. Across two days of action, every race ran on sustainable fuel, reinforcing a clear message that the sport’s history and its future can share the same track without compromise.
One of the most powerful threads running through the event was a tribute to the golden era of 1970s racing. The James Hunt Years came vividly to life as period Formula 1 machinery returned to the circuit, including the iconic McLaren M23 that secured Hunt’s 1976 World Championship. The atmosphere deepened further as Freddie Hunt took to the wheel of the McLaren M26, evoking his father’s 1977 season in a moment that felt both cinematic and deeply personal.
The nostalgia continued with a tribute to Barry Sheene, marking 50 years since his first World Championship. More than 30 500cc Grand Prix motorcycles from the 1970s and early 1980s thundered around the track, led by Barry’s son Freddie and close friend Steve Parrish, recreating the spirit of a fiercely competitive and unforgettable era in motorcycle racing.
In a standout modern-meets-heritage moment, Jenson Button returned to the cockpit of his 2009 championship-winning Brawn BGP 001 for the first time since 2019. Reunited with Ross Brawn, Button’s return drew huge crowds trackside, with the event also uniquely uniting all three BGP 001 chassis for the first time, two of which were displayed statically across the weekend.
Competition on track was equally compelling. The Super Touring Shoot-Out brought together the largest gathering of its kind, featuring more than 40 touring cars from the 1990s and early 2000s. After a fiercely contested weekend of demonstrations and qualifying runs, Rob Huff emerged victorious in a dramatic finale.
New races added fresh energy to the weekend. The Protheroe Cup, celebrating the Jaguar E-Type’s enduring legacy, saw Dario Franchitti take victory in a closely fought pre-1963 contest. The Phil Hill Cup, meanwhile, delivered spirited racing inspired by mid-1960s American sportscar competition, with Jenson Button claiming victory in his Members’ Meeting racing debut.
Elsewhere, the Bruce McLaren Trophy showcased Can-Am and Group 7 machinery, won by Phil Keen, while the Gordon Spice Trophy delivered close touring car battles, with Romain Dumas and Fred Shepherd sharing overall honours. The Win Percy Trophy added further spectacle, as Rob Huff also triumphed in Group 1 saloon car action.
Beyond the racing, the event embraced spectacle and innovation. The Lanzante 95-59 made its global dynamic debut with IndyCar champion Kenny Bräck at the wheel, demonstrating its twin-turbo V8 performance across the weekend alongside displays including the McLaren F1, P1 Spyder and Ford GT40.
The Bonhams|Cars auction added another layer of excitement, with standout lots including a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR race car and rare classic icons such as a 1925 Bentley 3-Litre Boat Tail Tourer, while Lamborghini supercars exceeded expectations on the block.
Off track, the House Competition brought playful rivalry to life with everything from sack races to ferret racing, culminating in Darnley taking overall victory as Tom Kristensen collected the House Shield. The blend of motorsport seriousness and festival-like charm remained one of the defining features of the weekend.
With glorious weather, packed grids, emotional tributes and sustainable fuel at its core, the 83rd Members’ Meeting reaffirmed its status as one of the most distinctive events in global motorsport. Looking ahead, the 84th Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport will take place on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 April 2027, with tickets now on sale at goodwood.com.
