Road racing and short circuit stars compete at Goodwood Revival 2024 using sustainable fuels

Some of the biggest names in motorcycle racing proved that you don’t need to burn traditional fossil fuels to have a good time, as sustainable fuels powered the vast majority of the glamorous Goodwood Revival meeting this past weekend.

Held at the iconic Goodwood Motor Circuit in West Sussex, the three-day historic festival has long been popular with fans of motorsport, welcoming the biggest names in short circuits and road racing to compete on beautifully prepared pre-1955 machinery from the likes of BMW, Vincent, Norton, and more.

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For 2024, however, Goodwood has opted to show that you can still have fun and enjoy an internal combustion engine without angering environmentalists – with every two- and four-wheeled racing machine powered by a blend of at least 70% sustainable materials.

“I am proud that we are the first to be mandating the use of sustainable fuels at the event,” said The Duke of Richmond, founder of Goodwood’s major motorsport events, the Festival of Speed and Revival, “and would like to thank all of the participating owners, drivers and preparers for their support.”

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Bespoke compounds produced and provided by Goodwood’s long-time fuel partners Anglo American Oil Company powered more than 300 vehicles across 15 races throughout the weekend.

Showcasing its versatility, the vehicles in question ranged from Grand Prix motorcycles of the 1950s up to Formula 1 cars of the mid-1960s and everything in between.

The general consensus from competitors and riders alike was that the change in fuel was barely noticeable – except through the nostrils. The important part, of course, was how the fuel performed.

While a couple of competitors said they felt slightly weaker at the top end, the vast majority said there was no noticeable difference. Almost all teams MCN spoke to said they’d jetted up, but for some that was no different to what they’d do in preparation for any Goodwood meeting.

“It can only be a good thing,” said 23-time TT winner John McGuinness. “I’m old school and love the smell of ethanol, but let’s give it a go and embrace it. I’ll be upset if we lose this.”

Two-time British Superbike champion Josh Brookes added: “If the only issues are the smells, then we’ve got off lightly!”

The on-track highlights came in the form of the ever-popular Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy, which this year saw motorcycles of the 1950s and earlier compete in a two rider challenge.

The star debut for 2024 was Spanish superstar Carlos Checa, whose famous number seven adorned a resplendent Manx Norton. The 2011 World Superbike Champion was full of praise for the event, and joked that it was: “the first time I’ve ever been able to say I’ve ridden a bike older than me!”

Arguably one of the most eye-opening performances of the weekend was TT star Davey Todd’s appearance aboard a 1928 BMW R57 Kompressor. Competing for the works BMW Group Classic outfit, the current National Superstock championship leader was aboard a bike nearly 70 years his senior.

“There are so many differences to a normal bike,” explained Todd. “With a hand shift and rigid rear end it’s pretty alien. You have to make your legs work as suspension a little bit more than a normal bike, so my motocross experience definitely helped.

“It’s something different and great fun, I really enjoyed racing it.”

Despite Todd and Herbert Schwab’s sheer pace in a sodden qualifying, it was the hugely experienced pair of Michaels Rutter and Russell who took an impressive victory. Starting from 28th on the grid after a clutch failure in qualifying, the multiple TT winner carved his way through the field in the first part of race one. Russell duly finished the job to win by 6.7 seconds.

Inclement weather returned on Sunday with heavy showers punctuating the day, but it didn’t slow down the Rutter/Russell pairing.

Starting again from the back of the grid, Russell was in the lead by lap four. Handing over to Rutter to take the flag, the pair dominated proceedings, taking aggregate victory by 55 seconds.