Silverware for DK Engineering at a glorious Goodwood Revival  

A return to the time warp of Goodwood Revival recently saw DK Engineering back on the top step of the podium in front of a period-dressed crowd. The sleek Toijero-Jaguar, driven by James Cottingham claimed an impressive victory in one of the weekend’s most prestigious races, the Sussex Trophy. Meanwhile, two examples of the dominating AC Cobra, which had been previously supplied by DK Engineering, scored victories in the RAC TT Celebration and Stirling Moss Memorial Trophy.

Alongside the racing activities of the weekend, and at a slightly more sedate pace, Friday’s track action included a stellar line-up of Ferrari models in a tribute to the Maranello marque which DK Engineering has worked so extensively with for more than 40 years. A number of models previously acquired through, or restored by, DK Engineering were among the parade on display. These included the 250 TR (#0752), 275 GTB (#07373) and two examples of the iconic 250 SWB – chassis #2735GT and, perhaps one of the most famous, #2119GT, previously campaigned with much success by Sir Stirling Moss. Completing the line-up was the 500 TRC, which has previously been campaigned by David Cottingham, driven on this occasion by his son, James.

Racing in a selection of iconic models from the 1950s and 60s, the DK Engineering drivers of James, Jeremy and young Bertie Cottingham put on a show around the sun-bathed Goodwood Motor Circuit. James drove an example of the iconic Ford GT40 to 8th place in the Whitsun Trophy, while Jeremy finished just outside the fiercely contested top-10 of the Lavant Cup at the wheel of an MG B.

With slightly less horsepower, but no less entertaining or competitive, the Settringham Cup took place with Bertie Cottingham flying the flag for DK Engineering for a second year. The Austin J40, beautifully presented in a Ferrari heritage shade of Verde Tevere, has been in Cottingham family ownership for 45 years, and the latest generation of the Cottingham family lined up as part of a bumper 63-car grid. There was no sign of nerves from the young racer as his race results over the two events combined to a very respectable 33rd place.

Signing off the weekend in style, James was back out on track once again for the Sussex Trophy at the wheel of the blue and white Tojeiro-Jaguar, looking to retain the title he scored last year. An incredibly tight qualifying session had seen the top-4 covered by just 0.15s, and James started from the second row of the grid looking to make moves through the field. With the sun low over the circuit as the race progressed, James made an immediate move for position, before steadily closing in on the podium positions. With less than 15-miniutes remaining, the Tojeiro-Jaguar made a pass for 3rd, and then, with the leading Ferrari retiring inside the final 10-minutes, James was on the hunt for the race lead. A bold move around the outside at the back of the circuit moved James into the lead with just 4 minutes on the clock, and he would then hold on before the race was brought to an early conclusion with a red flag with 2 minutes remaining. The result ensured James and the Toijero-Jaguar retained the trophy for a second year, and concluded a glorious weekend of racing at one of the headline events of the season.