Goodwood is set to mark the long and distinguished racing career of the influential Cosworth DFV Engine in a series of special track parades at this year’s Goodwood Revival – to be held at the motor circuit from 31 August to 2 September – in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the most successful motor racing engine of all time.
Ford’s Cosworth-designed Double Four Valve engine came to the fore in F1 racing in 1967, just a few short months after Goodwood Motor Circuit closed its doors to competitive motor racing. Indeed, the promised performance increases of this and similar engines were a contributing factor in the demise of racing at Goodwood.
Nonetheless, the picturesque West Sussex circuit was used extensively in the testing and development of many DFV-powered cars throughout the remainder of the 1960s and early 1970s. In marking the anniversary of perhaps the world’s most famous engine, Goodwood will gather together around 20 iconic racing machines that utilised this famous engine.
The spectacle of a grid of post-1966 racing cars is an uncommon occurrence on the Goodwood circuit. However, the evocative sight, sound and smell of rows of these legendary racing cars are guaranteed to stir the soul of any motor racing enthusiast.
Cosworth DFV-powered cars expected to parade around the Goodwood circuit at the Revival include the iconic 1967 Lotus 49, the F1 car that gave the engine its first racing victory, as well as the World Championship-winning Lotus 72, the 1971 Tyrrell 002 and pioneering six-wheeled P34 of 1976, the title-winning 1969 Matra MS80, plus the 1976 McLaren M23 and 1978 Williams FW06. DFV-engined endurance racers, such as the 1966 Ford F3L and 1972 Ligier JS2 are also due to appear on the Goodwood track. Ex-Le Mans winner and skilled ‘pilote’ of various DFV-powered cars – Jacky Ickx – will lead the parade in a Ford GT40.