Yesterday GTSpirit.com vacated temporarily to the Goodwood Festival Of Speed, the UK’s biggest annual car event. Hoping to attract over 150,000 people, this years festival was bigger and better than we’ve ever seen before. Over the next couple of day’s were going to give you a complete run-down of what we saw.
The festival runs from 3rd July to 5th July. We only managed to make time to visit on the Friday but traditionally this is the day that most petrolheads choose to attend. Attractions of the Friday included many top names in the racing world and only lacked people like Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, the major celebrities that are bought in on the Sunday to draw in the crowds.
The much anticipated Goodwood Centerpiece didn’t fail to disappoint. Erected by headline company Audi, the monument stood tall in front of the house. Whilst appearing minimalist in comparison to previous years efforts, it’s presence was definitely felt. As you can see from the pictures we’ve included, the design featured a ‘six’ figure with an Audi R8 V10 hanging skywards and a copy of the Auto Union Type C Streamliner on the other end.
Being a week day we expected attendance to be down to a minimum for the day, yet we still struggled for space in many of the top enclosure. The Sunday Times Supercar paddock was without a doubt the biggest attraction of all displays. Boasting over 40 top name brands, not all cars could make it into the smallest paddock that Goodwood has to offer. Mercedes-McLaren, who bought five varients of the SLR, ended up perched outside the enclosure.
It’s not just Supercars that draw in the crowds however. On display around several different paddocks were a fine collection of some of the most famous race cars. From WRC cars to the latest Formula 1 cars, Le-Mans racers to GT Racers, Goodwood Festival Of Speed had them all. To our minds there’s no motorsport niche left unattended to.
Famous names to attend the first day ranged from current Formula 1 driver Timo Glock to Ex-Formula 1 driver David Coulard. Le-Mans legends Derek Bell and Justin Law were driving LeMans legends alongside classic favourites such as Sir Jackie Stewart and Sir Stirling Moss.
The theme of the Festival Of Speed this year was ‘True Grit: Epic Feats Of Endurance’. Focus was rightly placed on all types of endurance racing as a result. From modern to classic LeMans veterans to Formula 1, Rallying and NASCAR superstars, all were paid homage to.
The celebrated brands, Silver Arrows, Mini, Morgan, Bugatti and Matra among others, gave us an in-depth view of the complete history of the brands. An example can be found in Morgan who bought a whole range of classic racers to the event, mixed with several of their newer examples.
As we’ve mentioned before, this years Cricket Pitch display (A themed static display) featured the unique wacky racers, complete with actors.
Keep an eye out for our coming articles covering all of the different events at the Festival Of Speed. For now take a look at these teaser pictures, the Chopper is Peter Fonda riding the now infamous ‘Easy Rider’.
Nice man… awaiting more stories!
MR
great article, would try to visit it next year.