The Goodwood Revival will be powered by sustainable fuel

In a world-first for historic motorsport, every race car at the 2024 Goodwood Revival will be required to run on a sustainable fuel.

According to the new rules competitors will need to use fuel which has a minimum of 70 per cent sustainable components, in accordance with the FIA’s current regulations. A so-called ‘drop-in’ replacement, running this type of fuel requires no modification to race engines and shouldn’t compromise performance. That certainly appeared to be the case when we substituted pump petrol for a sustainable fuel in a grass-roots endurance race.

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Goodwood has already tested sustainable fuel, with 2023’s Fordwater Trophy requiring drivers including 2009 F1 champion Jenson Button, Max Chilton, and Mark Webber to compete in pre-1966 Porsche 911s running on the stuff. “It was great to be a part of the Fordwater Trophy which brought together classic cars and the very latest in sustainable fuel technology,” said Button. “What’s so exciting about these fuels is that they can guarantee the future of historic racing, enabling us to enjoy combustion engine cars for years to come.”

Last year’s Rudge-Whitworth Cup also demonstrated that even much older cars perform well on the more eco-friendly fuel, with Ben Collins and Gareth Graham taking victory in their 1925 Bentley Speed Model.

Four-time Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel is championing the switch to sustainable fuels, after doing a demonstration run in his ex-Ayrton Senna 1993 McLaren MP4/8 at the 2023 Festival of Speed. “It was clear to me at the Festival of Speed that the team at Goodwood share my love of motor racing,” said Vettel. “I enjoyed sharing my ‘Race Without Trace’ initiative with the fans at the Festival of Speed and having the opportunity to show that sustainable fuels are a fantastic way to ensure a possible future pathway for the sport that we love. It’s great that Goodwood is leading the way in promoting the use of sustainable fuels at historic racing events.”

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

To find out more about sustainable fuels check out our guide.