In the brilliant summer of 2023, motorsport aficionados from around the world assemble in the heart of Geneva for an annual event that transcends time. The Goodwood Revival, a faithful reenactment of the golden era of motor racing at Goodwood Motor Circuit from 1946 to 1966, not only honors the thrilling races of yesteryear but also pays respect to the great cultural awakening of the 1960s. Fashion flourished, music changed, and motor racing legends emerged throughout this pivotal decade. In 1968, only a year before winning his first of three FIA Formula 1® Drivers’ World Championships, a young Sir Jackie Stewart joined the Rolex family of Testimonees.
Sir Jackie Stewart fondly reminisces, “The world seemed to come alive again during the 1960s, with newfound charisma and glamour. It was the start of a whole new era.” Emphasizing the lasting impact of this decade on motorsport, he adds, “The 1960s will always be remembered as special years. The sport was becoming more international, and we were able to race all around the world. When I joined Rolex in 1968, I hadn’t won a world championship; looking back to this time, I reflect on Rolex’s forward-thinking approach and how they supported me from the beginning.”
Rolex has been a consistent supporter of motorsport’s top events, drivers, and organizations for almost 90 years. The 1960s were a watershed moment in their long-lasting partnership. The Rolex 24 At DAYTONA first appeared in 1962, followed by the release of the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona the following year. These landmarks reaffirmed Rolex’s long-standing ties to the world of motorsport.
Sir Jackie Stewart reflects, “Since Sir Malcolm Campbell’s land speed records on Daytona Beach all those years ago, Rolex has been part of tremendous moments in motor racing history. The legacy of this enduring relationship is still reflected in the sport today, be it at Daytona, Monte Carlo, or Goodwood, and the many other countries where Rolex is present. Goodwood always brings back fond memories for me, having first visited when I was just 14 years old, and since then I have spent many years at this special track, where I am, in fact, still the lap record holder from 1966.”
In 2023, the Scottish racing legend celebrates 50 years since he won his third FIA Formula 1® Drivers’ World Championship, and he will grace this year’s Goodwood Revival from Friday 8th to Sunday 10th September. Recognizing the event’s dedication to preserving the past and the legacies of racing heroes, many of whom graced the circuit during its heyday, Rolex has been the Official Timepiece of the Goodwood Revival and the Title Sponsor of the Rolex Drivers’ Club since 2004.
The Goodwood Revival will be central to this year’s festivities, commemorating the impact of this groundbreaking era and how it helped form the modern world of motorsport. Sir Jackie Stewart’s adventure with Rolex, as well as the lingering memory of the 1960s in motorsport, continue to inspire a new generation of racing aficionados. The 1960s, a period of innovation, glamour, and dramatic racing, are indelible in the annals of motorsport history, with Rolex in the vanguard of commemorating their enduring effect.
