OCTOBER NEWSLETTER, 2026
SEPTEMBER WAS A BUSY MONTH . . . Despite getting stuck at Heathrow for a day when the whole airport got shut down, the rest of the month was great. Naturally, the Goodwood Revival took up quite a bit of the time, but it’s also that time of year when I’m hustling around getting 2027 programs slated. I’m happy to say we now have all of our schedules on our web site at www.steveaustinsgreatvacations.com. As I have previously mentioned, it appears people are booking their vacations and travel a lot earlier than a few year’s ago. I call it the COVID syndrome. For no other reason than it sounds reasonable. That being said, October looks to be a busy period here at Steve Austin’s World Center. All two of us will be ready waiting at the phone and computer. I should also mention that after a year of fretting, we have finally decided to drop our land line – we will miss the fifty odd spam calls each day and the opening line “Am I speaking to the owner”? Steve’s cell phone (503) 349-8769 is now the magical entry to our World of Travel.
GOODWOOD REVIVAL . . . Amazingly, 2026 was the 29th year of our ‘England & the Goodwood Revival’ tour. Quite amazing really. I have to admit an inward smile to the many people who told me I was daft in thinking that old cars, an old racetrack and old clothes would be of much interest to anyone. A lot has changed, and a lot hasn’t. Me being daft not one of them. Originally, Lord March (now the Duke of Richmond) anticipated 25,000 people showing up. To everyone’s amazement, including his, he was 100,000 shy. Those who wonder how I got the prime Salvadori Hospitality Suite, which is the most sought after, and in the prime position is purely because I was daft enough to be the first group in. I’ve always maintained I backed into most of my successes, but this one I didn’t. It was a major investment at the time. No comparable model. No financial advisor would have given it the time of day, but sometimes you have to scratch that itch! So next year is #30. You never know, it might turn a profit soon!
WELL DESERVED, GEORGE . . . The Azerbaijan GP proved to be a cracker. While it’s unlikely George Russell will be able to catch Antonelli for the Championship, this last weekend was definitely a great showing for George. It must be very difficult to work with a team for many years, bring them along to a winning format, only to have some young whippersnappers pull out the rug. It was also not easy with Verstappen nipping at his heels. The result was in doubt to the very last lap. I’m sure it’s not the last time we’ll see Russell on the podium, but this was a deserving win he will long remember.
AUTOMOBILIA . . . With respect to George Russell. My ‘real deal’ for the month is a very collectible original portrait painting by Nicholas Watts titled ‘George Russell – Mercedes’ depicting 2024 Vegas GP and the Mercedes Petronas AMG F1 W15. Below the painting is an original George Russell signature. 20”x20” This painting has been in my personal collection since 2024 and I’m offering a massive discount at $850.
NORMANDY & the LE MANS CLASSIC . . . The Le Mans Classic has now confirmed its 2027 date of July 1-4, what we already thought to be the case.
You can check out our 9 and 5 day programs on our website https://steveaustinsgreatvacations.com/le-mans-classic/ . Two very distinct programs combine a 4-day visit to Normandy and the D-Day beaches followed by the Le Mans Classic. Twelve years ago, we played with the idea of mixing a dramatic and serious Normandy visit with the sheer enthusiasm of a Le Mans Classic program. It turned out to be very well received. Naturally we chose hotels in keeping with each destination – Omaha Beach Resort Hotel and the Oceania L’Univers. We shared the guiding in Normandy with one of the top D-Day guides. They are enormously knowledgeable and truly ‘local’ having experienced the war and the aftermath with their parents. Steve, of course, produces the best places to enjoy food and visits away from the beaches. Following this is our Le Mans Classic visit. Anyone who has visited the Le Mans circuit know it’s big and impractical. The trick is to make as much of it available as possible. With that, we start with the best Hospitality Suite that combines with the best Parisian restaurant, no less. Track side viewing, jitneys to the far side of the course, a prewar coach lap of the track and visits to the Paddock and Pits are just some of the plans. You can step outside our Suite right on to the ‘Village’. bustling with vendors, entertainers and street dancing. Yes! A veritable party. Just to get started, on arrival you are driven to the infield in a ‘deux chevaux’. No, Margaret, that is a French car!
photos by Peter Auto & Steve Austin
2026 GOODWOOD REVIVAL . . .
It’s very difficult to give an overview on the Goodwood Revival without taking up pages of text. I will therefore attempt to offer it in pictures. However, I have to start with the compelling story of our ‘hot shoe, boy wonder’ Horatio Fitz-Simon. The big opening race of the Revival is a Friday afternoon/evening event. The ‘Stirling Moss Memorial Trophy’ is a hotly competed event for enclosed GT cars. The field is a mix of Ferrari’s, Competition E Types, AC Cobras, Astons and a lesser range of lower powered GT‘s. One such was the 1960 ex Moss Lotus Elite, while hotly prepared, the car was up against all the top drivers, Jensen, Dario et al. Fitz quietly told me he would be pretty OK with a 5th placing, and so he should. Catch this one on You Tube – Gans, the amateur car owner made a great start and brought it in for Fitz, the professional driver. Watching that Lotus Elite was magical. Fitz saw off the ETypes then went after the lone Ferrari. The brakes were glowing red hot. We also learned after, the driver door was trying to divorce itself from the body. As darkness settled, Fitz had to nurse the last few laps, the car was showing some real signs of fatigue. Discretion was the better part of valor and so after driving right up the chuff of the Ferrari, he brought the car home to an amazing second place. Following photos by GRRC and Steve Austin
Horatio – another great drive
Thursday Air Display
Onto the home straight
Hospitality visitors
Redemption at the Revival
Warming up for the TT
Lysander & Spitfire at RAF Tangmere
Gourmet lunch is served
Amazing Paddock
Hospitality includes infield view
Derek Bell
Mr & Mrs Attwood visit the group
Bentleys always put on a great show
2027 TOURS
LAKE DISTRICT & SCOTLAND, 2027 . . .
May 5-16. Train and Coach and a couple of ferry’s thrown in make this tour plain fun. Following the successful 2022 & 2023 trips, we’ve added some noteworthy highlights including the Ruskin Museum – now home to Donald Campbell’s Bluebird K7, a full day on the Isle of Skye, Balmoral Castle (tea with the King!). Included locations, York, Lake Windermere, Glencoe, Ft. William, the Highlands, Royal Deeside, Dalhousie, a private visit to the Jim Clark Museum at Duns and Edington Mains. https://steveaustinsgreatvacations.com/england-lake-district-scotland-highlands/
Balmoral Castle
Isle of Skye scenery
NORMANDY & the LE MANS CLASSIC, 2027 . . .
June 27 -July 5. Always one of our most popular tours is back again. Four days in D-Day Normandy with amazing guides, beautiful scenery mixed with tragic history. Experience the real stories, the humanity and the bravery of the greatest battle. Four days at Le Mans in full comfort of Hospitality Suites, pit visits, helicopter viewing, old pre-war bus lap, top hotel and dinners included. Both Normandy and Le Mans include the best hotels and meals. Warning, this could well be our final visit.
https://steveaustinsgreatvacations.com/le-mans-classic/
GOODWOOD REVIVAL, 2027 . . .
If it’s September, then it must be the Revival! Our 30th year of visiting Goodwood. Each year we bring you, with the aid of the Duke of Richmond, a great Revival program. Plenty of incredible racing, museum visits, special restaurants and visits with racing personalities. We always fill up, but we never take it for granted. We always get the highest number of returns and referrals from this tour.
https://steveaustinsgreatvacations.com/goodwood-revival-2027/
AROC GOES TO SICILY, 2027 . . .
Much requested program by AROC Members. This 11-day program starts with the Isle of Capri then onto Taormina, Cefalu, Trapani. Palermo and many points between. https://steveaustinsgreatvacations.com/aroc-goes-to-sicily-plus-positano-and-capri/
2027 May 5 – May 16
LAKE DISTRICT & SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS – 12day program Now booking (almost full)
2027 June 27- July 5
NORMANDY & LE MANS CLASSIC – 9 day program Now booking
2027 July 1-5
NORMANDY & LE MANS CLASSIC – 5 day program Now booking
2027 Sept.12 – Sept.20
GOODWOOD REVIVAL – 9-day program Now booking
30th Anniversary $300 off if booked by Nov.1
2027 Sept.15 – Sept.20
GOODWOOD REVIVAL – 6 day program Now booking
30th Anniversary $300 off if booked by Nov.1
2027 Sept. 21 – Oct. 1
AROC GOES TO CAPRI & SICILY – 11 day program Wait Listed
2027 Oct. 4 – Oct. 14
AROC GOES TO CAPRI & SICILY – 11 day program Wait Listed
To get all the details on our 2027 Tours, you can find them on our website – www.steveaustinsgreatvacations.com or Email – steveaustin@colton.com or Cell: (503) 349-8769
2026 April 22 – May 1:
MONACO HISTORICS & ITALY – 10-Day Program (95% Sold)
April 22 – April 27:
MONACO HISTORICS – 6-Day Program (85% Sold)
2026 June 10 – June 20:
AROC GOES TO ITALY – 11-Day Program (60% Sold)
2026 July 9 – July 13:
GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED – 5-Day Program (60% Sold)
2026 Sept.13 – Sept.21:
ENGLAND & the GOODWOOD REVIVAL – 9-Day Program (85% Sold)
2026 Sept.17 – Sept.21:
GOODWOOD REVIVAL – 5-Day Program Sold Out/Wait List