The Goodwood Festival of Speed will open its doors to 145,000 visitors between July 3 and 5 having established itself as the best place to view the best supercars and motoring wonders from across the world. Organisers say that this year there will be a number of significant new models making their UK and European debut.
The Goodwood Festival allows people the opportunity not only to view the latest supercars and models but also to see them in action on its Sunday Times Supercar Run and the Goodwood hillclimb. Around 50 cars that have never been seen driven publicly before will participate in this year’s Supercar Run. RAC
More than 75 of the world’s leading motor racing drivers and riders are lined up for the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
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For the first time in its 17-year history, the event - from July 3-5 - will be attended by both the reigning Formula One and WRC World Champions.
Formula One star and Goodwood regular Lewis Hamilton will be on hand to entertain the crowds, as will five-times WRC champion Sebastian Loeb.
Current F1 championship leader Jenson Button has also confirmed his appearance, as have fellow F1 drivers Mark Webber and Timo Glock. In something of a coup for Goodwood, six of the current season F1 teams are scheduled to attend the West Sussex event with McLaren, Ferrari, Williams, Toyota and Red Bull as well as the new Brawn GP team on-site. Telegraph.co.uk
The festival centres on the hillclimb: a 1.16-mile length of road that runs up towards Goodwood House, up which drivers race against the clock.
What makes the festival more magical than a Siegfried and Roy show is something entirely subjective, something missing from the majority of big car-related events: atmosphere. Whereas most motor shows are held in sterile caverns of convention centres that smell of bleach, the FoS is held in the rolling green grounds of Goodwood, a slice of Sussex serenity. Wandering about as if the whole thing were laid on for your benefit alone, you can dream about the artfully arranged exhibits in Cartier Style et Luxe, where the cars are so pretty, you stand mouth agape. Stroll down to the Sunday Times Supercar Paddock and you’ll find cars worth more than a politician’s second home, which you can later watch being thrashed up the hillclimb. Times Online
This year’s festival theme – True Grit – Epic Feats of Endurance
The theme celebrates the drive and determination of motor racing’s heroes, who overcame huge physical, mental and mechanical barriers in their quest for glory. From Jackie Stewart’s enduring victory at the 1968 German Grand Prix, despite his broken wrist, to Mick Doohan’s courageous return to motorcycle racing in 1992, without full use of his right leg, there are countless amazing tales of performances far beyond what was thought possible for any human being.
In attendance to help represent this theme were a number of cars once driven in anger by many of motor racing’s greatest heroes, including the victorious 1959 Le Mans 24 Hours-winning Aston Martin DBR1 and Richard Attwood’s famous Porsche 917K, one of many that will be at the Festival in July.
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Also on display as a taster for a paddock full of supercars and Britain’s main ‘moving motor show’ at the July Festival of Speed were the new Nissan 370Z, BMW Z4 and closed-canopy Caparo T1, all making their UK debuts. A pair of historic racers from the Audi’s successful competition career (Auto Union Type D ‘Silver Arrows’ racer and ex-works Audi Quattro Sport S1) were also on hand to celebrate the marque’s centenary, which will be honoured as the main featured marque at the 2009 Festival with a jaw-dropping sculpture dominating the scenery outside Goodwood House. Expect to see a gathered together at the Festival this summer. goodwood.com
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