Goodwood 73rd Member's Meeting

The 73rd Members Meeting, or the Second of its new incarnation, was held over the weekend of the 22nd / 23rd of March. Reduced crowd numbers and the prospect of fresh cars on the various new grids definitely gives this event a unique draw. Highlights this year included the largest ever gathering of Mclaren F1 GTRs, a wonderful sight in the paddock but a truly memorable one with the cars lapping the circuit at pace. Other demonstrations including Group C cars and High Air Box F1 also wowed crowds alongside traditional Goodwood Favourites such as The Salvadori Cup for 50s Spots Cars. Non-Revival races such as the Gerry Marshall Trophy for Touring Cars again proved to be action packed highlights. However, the Graham Hill Trophy was arguably the main event - a sunset race for pre 66 GT cars full of noise, glowing brake discs and world class close racing.

In last year's Hill Trophy the DK Engineering "E-Type" finished in 3rd Place, taking the Friedrich's Aston DB4GT and the Twyman/Bryant Lotus 11 "breadvan" to the wire over the hour long competition. This year a slight regulation change had rendered the E-Type ineligible but DK's James Cottingham took the wheel of the Ecurie Francorchamps liveried Shelby American Daytona Cobra Coupe to defend the podium finish. A thrilling battle into the night saw an intense battle between Emanuele Pirro and Wolfe in their Cobras and Cottingham in the Coupe running in third place after a hectic start. Closely following Wolfe, James Cottingham managed to squeeze the Daytona Coupe up into 2nd place. In clean air and lapping quickly he then managed to catch the red "Willment" car driven by ex F1 Driver and 5-Time Le Mans Winner Emanuele Pirro, after the driver changes Joe Twyman having taken over from Cottingham had the race lead, sadly hampered by a slight mechanical problem the Red Cobra now piloted by Owner Shaun Lynn was able to regain the lead. At the chequered flag the Twyman / Cottingham Daytona Cobra had claimed a hugely impressive 2nd Place, especially given this was the car's first competitive outing.

James Cottingham also piloted the ex Ecurie Ecosse Tojeiro Jaguar in Sunday's Salvadori Cup, the race saw James sustain a race long battle with the Gary Pearson driven ex Ecurie Ecosse long nose D-Type. A final finishing position of 7th having been well earned, and with the chequered flag of that race the Sun set another hugely memorable and successful Goodwood event, it also marks the beginning of a busy season of Events with DK supported race cars entered into many prestigious events across Europe. Of course in Ferrari terms our now famous Showcase Day this coming Saturday is another excuse to remove some more cobwebs that may have gathered on cars over the winter.

Photos by Tim Scott http://www.fluidimages.co.uk/

James Mann http://www.mannphoto.co.uk/

Tim Brown http://www.motion-captured.com/