Good Mood
The Goodwood Members’ Meeting is one of the most beautiful motorsport festivals in the world. We attended the IWC stunt and did a lap ourselves – on foot.
No-one could have anticipated that the 82nd Goodwood Members’ Meeting at the legendary Duke of Richmond and Gordon’s racetrack in West Sussex would turn out so sunny. The traditional event in April tends to be known for cold, wet and windy weather, and it can even snow. But today, sun cream and lip balm are among the pharmacy truck’s bestsellers, and visitors in thick tweed, wool flat caps and sturdy shoes joke away the simmering heat – it’s definitely style before comfort. Cheerful and relaxed, they’re celebrating motor racing in general and Goodwood in particular.
While the cars on the race track roar, rattle, screech or buzz like an annoying swarm of wasps, depending on which trophy is involved, a minor traffic jam forms in front of the IWC pavilion. The Duke pays a courtesy visit and has IWC boss Chris Grainger-Herr explain the original racing car from the new cinema highlight “F1”. Where else do you find that – a real duke, close enough to touch, and a dash of Hollywood on top? Brits think that’s lovely.
Later, actors Damson Idris and Kerry Condon drop by for light-hearted interviews and are made up and briefed in the middle of the crowd. Besides the smell of petrol, there is a whole lot of glamour in the air, but no barriers are needed: the “Meeting” is famous for its accessibility. Visitors are allowed virtually everywhere, including the 600 or so pits with historic racing cars, some of which are worth millions.
Close enough to touch: At the Goodwood Members’ Meeting, the public has access to 600 pits with rare vehicles.
But back to IWC. Next to the aforementioned racing car, also straight from the film set, is the Mercedes AMG GT 63 S E Performance, a road-going monster with 843 hp under the bonnet. And behind it, arms folded, a no less impressive giant – Elliott Cole. We have an appointment with this precision driver, because Elliott has something special planned today and the pleasurable anticipation is written all over his face. He’s going to show the Goodwood audience how race sequences were filmed for the “F1” movie. Not the crazy close-ups in which centrifugal force deforms the faces of Brad Pitt and Damson Idris; they were captured with special cameras developed by Sony for this purpose. But the no less dynamic images of the cars from the outside that make it clear just how fast these cars are actually travelling – something no movie has ever really achieved in this form before.
For the stunt, Elliott will push the AMG around the bends with its nose practically glued to the back of the camera car, while the flexible camera crane jib, controlled from the cockpit, films the AMG from every angle. “Two cars travelling so close and so fast on such a narrow track – that takes a good deal of communication,” laughs Elliott, who is linked up with the camera car and director via his headset. What’s more, the script prescribes where each piece of action is planned – at speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour, precisely the right challenge for Elliott.
Like the entire IWC crew, he too wears a shirt with the logo of the fictitious APXGP racing team from “F1”. This is part of the promotional show and adds a nice, playful touch in the elegant setting. It wasn’t actually him in the movie, the hundred-kilo rugby- playing Elliott says with a smile: “I simply don’t have the right posture for a Formula One driver.”
“THAT TAKES A LOT OF COMMUNICATION.”
Elliott Cole - precision driver
Elliott, is this a normal working day for you or are you high on adrenalin?
(Laughs.) Both. Adrenalin is important, it helps you concentrate. And the Goodwood public has certainly never experienced a performance like this before, so it is also a special working day. But I’m calm and know what I have to do.
How high is the risk involved in such an endeavour?
In motor sports, the risk is always there. But we have got it down to a minimum. Each of us knows exactly what’s doable and what isn’t.
What can a precision driver do better than a Formula One driver?
In Formula One, it’s all about being ahead to get the most out of the aerodynamics. With our heavy cars, it’s more a question of stabilisation: if we drift or if a car spins, we are trained to get back on track as quickly as possible. Above all, though, the time factor plays a role: it’s all about getting the car in the right position at the predetermined location to the nearest tenth of a second.
“THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT IT LOOKS SO SIMPLE.”
How does someone like you drive in your private life? Is it even possible without getting annoyed by hesitant road users?
(Laughs.) I’m the guy who gets honked at because he’s too slow. Honestly, I drive like an old man, one hundred percent safety. Because if I had to give up my driving licence, I would no longer be able to do my job.
Naturally, everything goes to plan with Elliott’s stunt. The only problem is that it looks so simple from a distance. Fortunately, the huge screens at the side of the track transmit the close-ups from the action camera. After five laps, it is all over and a satisfied driver emerges from the AMG in front of the IWC pavilion: “Well, that’s my work done,” Elliott beams. “Now I’m looking forward to the GT3 race, which I can enjoy as a normal spectator for a change.” Actually, we were wanting to complete a lap ourselves, albeit on foot rather than in a vehicle. Several Members have recommended St Mary’s to us, a section at the other end of the course. But then we more or less bump into Chris Grainger-Herr, the IWC boss. And because you shouldn’t have any false inhibitions about approaching someone at Goodwood, we seize the opportunity.
A distinguished visitor: the Duke of Richmond (centre) is shown the world of IWC by Chris Grainger-Herr (left).
Hi Chris, are you happy with the stunt, with Elliott?
Very. But I admire the precision drivers in general. The consistency they show, the way they can time their laps to the nearest tenth of a second, is a fantastic mental performance. I also get on well with Elliott personally; I drive with him regularly.
How’s that? Where did you meet?
“Vanity Fair” organised a photo shoot with watch CEOs and their car partners in 2017. Elliott was my coach there, before I competed in the AMG against Chopard in the Porsche, Hublot in the Ferrari and Montblanc in the BMW. I also had Elliott show me a few things at Monza, which gave me a real taste for it. Since then, we’ve been hitting the racetrack once or twice a year.
Goodwood is basically IWC’s home race: you sponsor the Members’ Meeting and organise regular customer events here. What do you associate with this place?
There is nowhere quite like Goodwood. Most of Britain’s big aristocratic estates have become museums or open-air parks. Here, however, the Duke of Richmond and Gordon and his family still live in the original house. From the racecourse and aerodrome to the motor racing circuit and Rolls-Royce factory, there’s everything on his land. And when we’re invited to dinner with good customers at the Royal House, that’s an occasion in itself.
You’ve known the Duke for a while – what’s he like?
He is a courteous, interested and approachable person – and a very creative mind. He comes from the world of photography, so we also share a passion for the visual, an eye for detail. And a love of adrenaline: I think we’ve both retained a certain youthfulness and like a bit of sideways action on the racetrack.
Cool: Actors Damson Idris (left) and Kerry
Condon promote the movie “F1”.
Condon promote the movie “F1”.
Which brings us to the next event. We part company in the direction of St Mary’s, where we arrive half an hour later. The weather has changed, the wind has picked up, a cloud is blocking the sun’s view of the track, which presents a particular challenge just here. The cars arrive at top speed and have to brake hard before the right-hand bend. This transfers a huge load to the front wheels, making it hard to steer. In addition, the surface slopes slightly outwards, which increases the centrifugal force. So the driver has his work cut out if he wants to take the bend as tightly as possible, especially because it is followed by a bump that sends lighter cars airborne, immediately followed by a left-hand bend and a dip, which adds a confusing touch to the technically demanding section. Anyone who loves racing will be in their element here.
And if you stroll on for another half an hour, you’ll get dusty shoes from the gravel track that runs around the circuit, but also a pretty good idea of why no few Brits consider Goodwood to be the ultimate in motor sports. Lavant Straight is the name of the section where it’s not just about the cars on the circuit, but also about the luxury cars parked at the edge of the track. The parade resembles an exquisite exhibition of British automotive engineering, with tickets for pole position going in less than an hour. And because, being Swiss, we find such a proud display of one’s possessions somewhat astonishing, we’ll just ask about it. (Remember, it’s Goodwood: you can talk to anyone here.)
Haven’t missed a Meeting for twenty years: Angie and Geoff Dixon.
Hello, cool vehicle you’ve got there. What is it?
Angie Dixon: Oh, it’s a Land Rover Series 2 A from 1962. Where are you from?
Switzerland…
Angie: Lovely! We once drove this car from here to Rome, including through Switzerland. And it almost got us back home again. But in the last few kilometres it gave up. (Laughs.) Are you enjoying Goodwood? How are you finding it?
And before you know it, you’re in the middle of a conversation. Angie and Geoff Dixon are, of course, members of the Goodwood Road Racing Club (GRRC) and haven’t missed a Meeting for twenty years, as the coloured stickers on the Land Rover’s windscreen testify.
What makes the Members’ Meeting so special?
Angie: There’s an incredible magic over everything, perhaps because winter is over and with the arrival of spring the racing season begins. The people are friendly and open, and it’s easy to strike up a conversation. It is a social event among like-minded people.
Geoff: There are nice races elsewhere too. But nowhere does it feel like it does here, where it’s not just about the cars, but also about the outfits, the food, the whole package.
Angie: And of course the Duke.
Geoff: And the Duke!
We get the impression that waiting is an integral part of this weekend. What do you do during those times?
Geoff: Apart from wine? (Laughs.)
Angie: We meet friends, chat, explain our car to interested parties and talk about the history of this place. We love it!
Which is your favourite race?
Geoff (points to the race track): The Whitmore Cup here with the small, nippy cars from the sixties, Alfa Romeo Giulias, Ford Lotuses and above all Mini Coopers. On the one hand, because they drift so spectacularly. But also because we can imagine what it feels like to be inside them, as we drove things like that ourselves back then. Angie: And we also know a little about what it’s like on this track, as we’ve both driven it before.
The record for the 3.8 kilometres is 39.1 seconds. How close were you?
Angie: Oh, I went as slowly as possible, I wanted to enjoy the circuit to the full.
“OH, I WENTAS SLOWLY AS POSSIBLE.”
The two of them laugh and make us promise to get in touch the next time we visit Goodwood. We’re tempted to book immediately.
Pole position: The automotive jewels at the edge of the Lavant Straight section often steal the show from the cars on the racetrack.
LAP FOR LAP
IWC presented these four new products at Watches and Wonders as a tribute to the fi lm “F1”.
SUNNY’S “GENTA”
In the movie, the main character Sonny Hayes (Brad Ingenieur Automatic 40 (Ref. IW328908), limited to 1000 pieces: the case and ANYONE WHO LOVES RACING WILL BE IN THEIR ELEMENT HERE. Pitt) wears a variation of the “Ingenieur SL” by Gérald Genta from 1976. It served as the inspiration for a special edition of the IW328908) bracelet are made of stainless steel; the dial features a green grid pattern and gold-plated appliqués. The characteristic bezel is fixed to the case ring with five functional screws. The IWC-manufactured 32111 calibre sets the pace.
JOSHUA’S CHRONO
In the movie, rookie Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) is extremely proud of his Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 (Ref. IW388309). The watch boasts an 18-carat red gold case and a sapphire crystal case back, a black lacquered dial and a black ceramic bezel with a tachymeter scale. The IWC-manufactured 69385 calibre ticks away on the inside,.
TEAM APXGP
The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph APXGP (Ref. IW378009) features a stainless steel case with a diameter of 43 millimetres, while the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 APXGP (Ref. IW388116) is crafted in a 41-millimetre stainless steel case. The design with black, gold and white elements takes inspiration from the team colours. The APXGP logo is emblazoned on the tinted sapphire glass case back and on the black rubber straps. The chronographs are powered by the high-performance IWC-manufactured 69385 calibre.
“A LOGO IN THE CHIN AREA ATTRACTS MOST ATTENTION”
Franziska Gsell, Head of Marketing at IWC, explains how she got involved in the “F1” movie – and what she’s looking forward to most.
Franziska Gsell wears an “Ingenieur Automatic 40” (Ref. IW328903) with an aqua dial.
Ms. Gsell, how did IWC end up in Hollywood? Why are you involved in the blockbuster “F1” on a grand scale?
The idea goes back to Toto Wolff. The boss of the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team said in an interview that there is no Formula One movie that shows how fast the cars are actually travelling. That triggered something in Joseph Kosinski, the director of “Top Gun: Maverick”. He no doubt said to himself: If I can do it with jets, I can do it with cars. Since IWC was already a sponsor of “Maverick”, Kosinski approached us early on.
And you went with it right away?
We signalled our interest. The film makes perfect sense within our strategy. We have been a partner of Mercedes AMG Petronas in Formula One for twelve years. We are doing well with it and have established some innovations such as the racing gloves emblazoned with the IWC “Pilot”; the idea is now being copied by other teams. But of course we started by reading the script of “F1” and negotiating – especially with regard to the visibility of IWC.
What did you achieve? What are you particularly proud of?
In close-ups of the rider’s face, a logo attracts most attention in the chin area of the helmet. The cars in “F1” are driven by the actors Brad Pitt and Damson Idris themselves, so that viewers can experience at close quarters what centrifugal force does to their faces. And “IWC” is always emblazoned on their helmets. Of course, I also like the logo on the racing cars, the overalls and in the garage. And: the main characters wear superb IWC models on their wrists.
The film also features the modified “Ingenieur SL” by Gérald Genta from 1976. What’s that all about?
The character Sonny Hayes, played by Brad Pitt, inherited this watch from his father, who was also a Formula One driver. It’s his talisman. He has a ritual where he places it on a kind of shrine. You get the feeling: without this watch, Sonny is lost. It gives him stability.
Why Gérald Genta of all people?
We let Brad Pitt choose from a range of watches. He was also involved in the modification of the watch. Working with the design studio, the Cloister Watch Company in New York, he developed a dial in a characteristic green.
The partnership with the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team regularly gives rise to IWC models. Which is your favourite?
Well, I like that this partnership also brings out some funny stories: team boss Toto Wolff is famous for his emotional outbursts. So we designed the “Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL Toto Wollf x Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One” especially for him: so that he can bang on the table without risking his watch.
Back to “F1”: why should we watch the film, apart from the beautiful IWC models and the logo?
Because it is fantastically filmed, a documentary fiction. Many of the scenes were filmed at real Formula One races. You get an incredibly good feel for what happens in a cockpit. Instead of the artificiality that’s everywhere today, it’s about cinematic craftsmanship at the highest level – a perfect match for our watches!
More articles
