Reason to be cheerful - the Goodwood Revival is just around the corner. The festival, which takes place on the 14-16 September, is one of the highlights of the automotive and social calendars.
Combining our favourite passions Goodwood revives car and bike racing from yesteryear at the legendary Goodwood circuit.
This year over 75 top names from motorsport are expected to battle in their period cars and bikes. This is no mere show. The racing is for real and multi-million dollar cars are frequently dented and bashed as their drivers vie for victory.
A host of familiar names from Formula One, rally, endurance racing, touring cars and bikes are entered - often competing in the most unlikely of machines.
1950s saloon cars will be campaigned by touring car aces in the St Mary's Trophy race. Matt Neal, Gordon Sheddon, Rob Huff, John Cleland, Anthony Reid, Stephen Jellay, Alec Poole and Patrick Watts are all confirmed so far with more to come. Maybe it's too much to wish that Jason Plato will join the fray and continue his ongoing battle with Matt Neal.
Rallying greats Rauno Aaltonen and John Haugland will be joined by ex-Grand Prix stars Martin Brundle, Jochen Mass, Derek Bell, Tiff Needell, Martin Donnelly, Desire Wilson, Brian Redman, Jackie Oliver and Arturo Merzario in epic races in period machinery.
Christian Horner and Adrian Newey of Red Bull will be putting in appearances as well as Kenny Brack, Nicolas Minassian, Derek Bell, Rowan Atkinson, Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jackie Stewart and John Surtees.
Motorcycling is well represented with Mick Grant, Keith Amor, Michael Rutter, Maria Costello, Nick Jeffries and Cameron Donald from road racing and Jeremy McWilliams and Wayne Gardner from Motorcycle Grand Prix.
This year 50 years of the AC Cobra will be celebrated with an AC Cobra only Shelby Cup. Highlight of the festival will be the appearance together on a track for the first time since the 1930s of the legendary pre-war 'Silver Arrows'. Ten of these fabulous cars, including the Mercedes Benz W25, W125, W154 and W165 and the Auto Union Type C, Type D and Type D 'Doppel Kompressor', will be there. It cannot help but be the visual and aural highlight of the automotive year for anyone who is lucky enough to see them in action.
The Goodwood Revival is always a fantastically well run event run at a fantastic venue and a visit should be at the top of your bucket list. We'll be there to report back on the action of which there is sure to be plenty.