70 Kids, Vintage Pedal Cars, and One Wild Race at Goodwood

Jan de Vries · 2026-09-24

There's a corner of the Goodwood Revival that has nothing to do with million-dollar race cars or celebrity drivers. It's called the Settrington Cup, and it might be the most honest race of the entire weekend. Mark G. Whitchurch recently explored this wonderfully chaotic event, where 70 children climb into historic Austin J40 pedal cars and tear down the track in what can only be described as joyous bedlam. If you've never heard of it, you're in for a treat. ### What Exactly Is the Settrington Cup? The Settrington Cup is a race for kids aged 5 to 9, driving Austin J40 pedal cars. These aren't modern plastic toys. They're miniature classics, built between 1949 and 1971 by the Austin Motor Company. Originally, they were made by disabled workers at the Austin factory in Longbridge, England, and they've become collector's items worth anywhere from $2,000 to over $15,000 depending on condition. At Goodwood, these tiny cars line up on the famous circuit, and the kids go for it. Some are fast. Some are distracted. Some are in tears before the race even starts. ### The Beautiful Chaos of Race Day Whitchurch describes scenes that feel more like a school sports day than a motorsport event. There are meltdowns. There are pre-race tears. There are parents sprinting alongside the track, shouting encouragement like their lives depend on it. And then there's the racing itself. Pure, unfiltered, pedal-powered bedlam. - Kids veering off course because they spotted a dog - One child stopping mid-race to wave at grandma - Others pedaling with the fierce determination of a future Formula 1 champion - Parents running the length of the straight, hoarse from cheering It's the kind of event that reminds you why people love motorsport in the first place. Not the sponsorship deals or the engineering marvels, but the raw, human joy of going fast. ### Why This Race Matters More Than You Think The Settrington Cup isn't just cute. It's a nod to history. The Austin J40 was a real training tool for young drivers, and seeing them raced at Goodwood keeps that story alive. It also introduces a new generation to the sport in the most hands-on way possible. As Whitchurch puts it, the whole thing is a reminder that racing, at its core, is about passion. And there's no passion quite like a 7-year-old who really, really wants to win. > "It's joyous bedlam," Whitchurch writes. And honestly, that's the perfect description. If you ever get the chance to attend the Goodwood Revival, don't skip the Settrington Cup. It might be the wildest, most heartwarming race of the weekend. And it'll probably make you smile more than anything else on the schedule.