Rolex and the Goodwood Revival: Partners in Upholding Motoring Traditions for 20 Years - Speedway Digest

Goodwood Motor Circuit is preparing to host its annual motoring jubilee next week when legends of the track and historic vehicles come together in a display of speed, skill and style. From Friday 6 to Sunday 8 September, the Goodwood Revival will provide a magical escape to the glamour and thrill of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. This year, Rolex and the Goodwood Revival celebrate their 20th anniversary, a partnership which honours those who made their mark on motor sport’s golden era by continuing to shine a light on their pioneering endeavours.

For two decades, the Swiss watchmaker has been the Official Timepiece of the Goodwood Revival and Title Sponsor of its cherished centrepiece, the Rolex Drivers’ Club. Here, time stands still and racing icons are reunited in a home away from home. One of the event’s most loyal supporters is Rolex Testimonee and three-time FIA Formula 1® Drivers’ World Champion, Sir Jackie Stewart. He says:

“I love attending the Revival every year with Rolex as we recognize the amazing achievements of the past. It is the greatest celebration of motoring history. Rolex has a significant history in motor sport, showing its appreciation for the sport and this event through the Rolex Drivers’ Club – a one-of-a-kind place and one that’s very dear to me.”

Nestled in England’s idyllic West Sussex countryside, the Goodwood Revival will welcome 150,000 enthusiastic spectators, drawn by the excitement of vintage fashion and wheel-to-wheel competition, steeped in nostalgia. This year’s event will be particularly poignant for Sir Jackie as it pays homage to his contemporary, the late John Surtees, on the 60th anniversary of his FIA Formula 1® Drivers’ World Championship. Famed as the only world champion of two- and four-wheel racing, parades will feature an array of vehicles from his trailblazing career. Meanwhile, emphasizing the Revival’s commitment to preserving the past while safeguarding the world around us, the 2024 edition will be the first historic motor sport meeting to run exclusively on sustainable fuel, across all 13 races.

Among the line-up of drivers this year is Rolex Testimonee and record nine-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, Tom Kristensen. Having competed at the Revival for more than a decade, he says:

“The Goodwood Motor Circuit hosts great racing now, as it did in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, making the Revival the most genuine historic event. It’s where great drivers who share the same passion for motor sport compete alongside one another. Everyone wants to be part of this spectacular event, to be immersed in the incredible atmosphere and to create amazing memories. Marking milestones is so important because it’s a time to learn from the past, in the present day, and, for me, this makes it even more valuable.”

Away from the track, the Revive & Thrive community showcases creative ways to rethink, repair and re-wear iconic designs, through a series of insightful talks that take inspiration from the resourcefulness and craftsmanship of the past. For 20 years, Rolex and the Goodwood Revival have championed a future where tradition and evolution seamlessly intertwine, with the utmost attention to detail. As the sun sets on the English summer and the event draws to a close, Rolex will present the Driver of the Meeting with a specially engraved Oyster Perpetual Datejust – testament to the indomitable racing spirit and skill displayed during the three-day spectacle. Kristensen continues:

“For me, this award perfectly encapsulates Rolex’s values of striving for excellence. The driver who receives this will have shown a special enthusiasm during the weekend, while earning respect from others. They will be a deserving winner.”

Rolex PR