2023 Goodwood Revival Meeting - Old Yeller II

Return with us to the thrilling racing days of yesteryear

Today we are preparing to leave UK and this epic day is also a poignant day that evokes memories for us, of being at the 2001 Goodwood Revival Meeting Races during the “9-11” week and being so far away, but our 1964 CSX 2203 American Shelby Cobra that was a ‘symbol’ of the moment at the Revival, as we were embraced at so many levels with the UK ‘Revival’ fans, with priceless and endless compassion. The Goodwood Revival Meeting races continue to engage Motorsports fans at levels to incomparable heights with expanded perspectives. Being part of the paddocks for the Carroll Shelby Tribute Parade laps and Lotus Parade laps, we were located away from the Main Paddock and located along the back straight the Goodwood circuit. The 200K paid ticket fans for each day arrived by foot or with constant moving Tractor Trams. The endless number of fans was amazing and had the perfect Paddock placement in first Paddock along the walkway and having a giant screen across the walkway to watch the races and next to live performance by three gifted lady singers that sang classic WW II songs that touched our hearts over and over, with renditions such as, “We’ll Meet Again” harking back to Vera Lynn singing to the British troops during WWII… that USA- England alliance spirit during the war matched the Goodwood WWII themed venues everywhere and military vehicles of WWII.

Our Paddock had USA- British banners hanging high next to our Goodwood ‘sign board’ for the Old Yeller II. The Drivers “Mess Hall” was decorated completely with posters and historical artifacts encouraging courage and teamwork for the WWII war effort… and to “Never Give Up.”  The three lady singers would break out in a special song directed to our “team” as they would sing “Loli Pop, Loli Pop,” as we gave them California Loli Pops! One of our cherished weekend moments was to see Mark Sanders once again, grown up and managing so well as it was in 2000 at our first Goodwood event… Elaine and I were headed in the drizzling rain, to the Goodwood House for a Festival event and as we reached the door with theme decorated British Guards, I recalled in the semi darkness, to the left, a young boy with a hooded jacket in a wheelchair and told Elaine to wait. I returned to the boy and gave him some pin (badges as they say) and some cards and told him to meet us the next day at the event. We stayed in touch and he surprised us, coming to the Old Yeller II Paddock in a mobile unit and Mark was looking handsome and filled with energy as we did see him at a Festival of Speed between the first encounter… we gave him an Old Yeller Team Shirt and had big strong hugs, as his supportive father standing proud. The other encounter that embraced us was to see a couple we met at the 2000 Goodwood FOS, first event. At that 2000 event we met a young boy, Daniel, and Elaine gave him badges and cards as well as had him sit in the Old Yeller II. Daniel at home said, “Mum, we are baking cookies for my friends!!” Sure enough the next day Daniel arrived with a plate of cookies for us. We stayed in touch and his parents said their son, Daniel, has become a Motorsports Journalist and he was currently in Japan to cover a major Rally Event!!! England had oppressive heavy humidity and heat for each day except for Sunday but the fans buoyed our spirits every day, priceless, priceless. Thank you Old Yeller II and Max and Ina as you once again did our “Meet and Greet” for us, all through the years and we only “ride your legacy coat tails.”