THURSDAY 16 AND FRIDAY 17 NOVEMBER – GOODWOOD MOTOR CIRCUIT
Anyone watching motor sport of any kind, will not fail to notice the presence of men and women dressed in orange at the racetracks and other venues. They are universally known as the “Orange Army” (nothing to do with Max Verstappen) and are the track marshals. Without them, no competitive motor sport event can take place in the UK. Every single one of them is a volunteer.
A number of SADCASE members are part of this group of motor sport enthusiasts, with most of them belonging to the local Goodwood Marshals Club (GMC). The club is allowed to take its name and badge from the Goodwood Motor Circuit, by kind permission of the Duke of Richmond. However, SADCASE members also wear the SADCASE badge on their orange overalls and jackets.
Each year, as the motor sport season draws to a close, the Goodwood circuit is made available to the GMC for a charity track event; this year it will be held over two days on Thursday 16 and Friday 17 November.
It is a very popular event, attracting drivers and their cars from the world of classics, right through to the latest supercars. Proceeds from the track day have enabled the GMC to make very significant donations to various charities over the years. This year, the charities being supported are: The Goodwood Education Trust, which supports children who have challenging backgrounds, together with giving other children, who have never seen the countryside in their lives, experience of the world outside of their urban environment. Cancerwise – a local charity supporting people through and beyond cancer. Superstar Arts – a Worthing based charity, committed to delivering high quality, meaningful creative projects, for young people and adults with learning difficulties.
You don’t have to participate but you are all more than welcome to come along, see the cars close up in the paddock and in action on the track, talk to the drivers and meet GMC members. As in previous years, there will be rides available in something fast and interesting, in exchange for a donation to the chosen charities. However, if you do fancy a go in your own car, use the form attached or contact trackdaysecretary@goodwoodmarshalsclub.org.uk. Spaces are going quickly.
The club continues to work with Aston Martin to attract youngsters into motor sport and marshalling in particular. As in past years Aston Martin are likely to turn up with something ‘interesting’.
Bacon butties, teas and coffees will be available from the famous NAAFI Wagon and the Horsebox, or you can go a bit up market at the Aeroclub.
There is no charge to get in but if you felt able to make a donation to the charities being supported, it would be gratefully received.
These track days are a great way of bringing the motor sport season to a close and starting the run up to the festive season. Hope to see you there.
Chris Mason
SADCASE and GMC
