Goodwood Festival of Speed
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| Location | Goodwood House, West Sussex, England |
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| Time zone | BST |
| Owner | Charles Gordon-Lennox, Earl of March and Kinrara |
| Opened | 1993 |
| Major events | Goodwood Festival of Speed |
| Hillclimb | |
| Length | 1.86 km (1.16 mi) |
| Turns | 9 |
| Lap record | 0:41.6 (Nick Heidfeld, McLaren, 1999) |
| Forest Rally Stage | |
| Length | 2.5 km (1.5 mi) |
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The Goodwood Festival of Speed is an annual hill climb featuring historic motor racing vehicles held in the grounds of Goodwood House, West Sussex, England in late June or early July; the event is scheduled to avoid clashing with the Formula One season, enabling fans to see F1 machines as well as cars and motorbikes from motor racing history climb the hill.
In the early years of the Festival, tens of thousands attended over the weekend; it currently attracts crowds of around 100,000 on each of the three days it is now held. A record crowd of 158,000 attended in 2003, before an advance-ticket-only admission policy came into force; attendance is now capped at 150,000.[1]
Contents
History
Founding
The Goodwood Festival of Speed was founded in 1993 by Lord March in order to bring motor racing back to the Goodwood estate — a location steeped in British motor racing history. Shortly after taking over the estate in the early 1990s, Lord March (as he is formally known) wanted to bring back motor racing to Goodwood Circuit, but did not have the necessary permit to host a race there. Therefore, he instead hosted it on his own grounds. With a small selection of entrants made up of invited historic vehicles, the first event that took place on Sunday 13 June proved to be a success, taking in a crowd of 25,000 despite a date clash with the 24 Hours of Le Mans that year. After the first event's date clash, Lord March would ensure that the event would never be allowed to clash with either Le Mans or Formula One races. In 1994, Saturday was added, making it a weekend event. In 1996, Friday was added, making it a three day event. In 2010, the Moving Motor Show was added on the Thursday.
Features and attractions
The hill climb
Thanks to the event's classification as a hill climb, its location and desire to reflect the style and history of motor sport, visitors are afforded close views of the action - separated only by a few metres and reinforced straw bales from the track. Visitors are free to walk around several paddocks where the cars and drivers can be seen at close quarters. The atmosphere of the Festival of Speed, when compared to the separation of fans from drivers and machines common to most top end motor sport events, encourages participation by the fans.
The track has an elevation change of 92.7 metres, for an average gradient of 4.9%. The record time for the hillclimb was set in 1999 when Nick Heidfeld drove a McLaren MP4/13 Formula One car up the hill in 41.6 seconds (100.385 mph). For safety reasons Formula One cars are no longer allowed to do official timed runs, and will often focus on demonstrations that are spectacular rather than fast. In 2006 Heikki Kovalainen completed the course in a Renault R25 F1 car and was unofficially timed below 40 seconds.[2]
Soapbox challenge
From 2000 to 2004 this was a downhill race for gravity-powered cars. Starting from just below the hill-climb finish line, to a finish line in front of the house. It included entries from Cosworth, Prodrive, and other top companies. With some famous riders/drivers piloting them, including Barry Sheene. However, there were frequent accidents. Despite an official cap on the cost of cars, the unofficial costs were becoming too high, so it did not return in 2005.
The forest rally stage
From 2005 to present there has been a demonstration area for the rally cars at the top of the hill. Initially, in 2005, the track through the forest was widened, and the rally cars ran down through the forest, turned on the tarmac section just outside the wood, and returned up the same track. This meant that the cars could only run one-at-a-time.
In 2006, a full forest stage was introduced, designed by Hannu Mikkola[3] this was a complete circuit, with a separate start and finish line at the top of the wood. This allowed the cars to start at timed intervals, allowing many more cars to run. Ever since its inception Southern Car Club have been entrusted with the organization of the rally stage, held under an MSA permit.
The sculpture
Since 1997, there has been a spectacular Gerry Judah sculpture in front of Goodwood House usually incorporates rare race cars.
Supercar run
Since 2000, there has been a Sunday Times Supercar Run, for road-going supercars. Since 2014 cars could opt to do a timed run. It is now common for specialty car manufacturers to show off their latest sports model, including newly released mass-produced sports models and working concept models.
Cartier Style et Luxe
Since 1995[4] this is an auto show which takes place to the west of the house. It is a similar format to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Entry is usually by invitation, and this provides some leeway as to which type of vehicle can enter, usually resulting in a more varied event than usual Concours d'Elegance. Unlike most concours shows, the Cartier Style et Luxe is judged by a panel of selected judges consisting of celebrities from all around the world to car designers.[5]
The Moving Motor Show
Since 2010, the Moving Motor Show, was added. Mainly in response to the cancellation of the British International Motor Show aimed exclusively for buyers of new cars, allowing them a chance to test the cars on the course.[6] Following its success, it was announced the MMS would return in 2011.[7]
The 2010 event also included the running of the new McLaren MP4-12C.
The official website lists the Festival of speed dates as the Friday to Sunday, but the weekend tickets for the Festival include a moving motor show ticket.[8] So it's not strictly part of the Festival of Speed, but it is a part of the Festival of Speed weekend.
Other
Other popular attractions at the event are the real life replicas of the Wacky Races cars, which serves to provide lunchtime entertainment for the crowds, and the airshows, which usually include the RAF Tornado and Red Arrows, and in 2004 and 2005 a low-flying Boeing 747; a low-flying Airbus A380 appeared at the 2008 event.
Since its beginning, the poster art has been illustrated by renowned motor racing artist Peter Hearsey.
In recent years, they have also put on the GAS Arena (Goodwood Action Sports) who showcase extreme stunts such as Freestyle Motorcross, BMW and Trial bike Riding [9]
Other events
The Festival of Speed has a sister event, the Goodwood Revival Meeting. This event, normally held in early September, relives the glory days of the Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit.
Incidents
There have been two separate fatal accidents at the event.
The first was during its inaugural meeting in 1993, when vintage racing motorcyclist Chas Guy was killed in practice following the completion of the course when his Vincent motorcycle developed a steering wobble known as a tank slapper, throwing the rider into a tree. Since then, motorcycles are not timed for their run.
In 2000, driver John Dawson-Damer lost control of his Lotus 63, and crashed into the finish line gantry, killing himself and marshal Andrew Carpenter. Another marshal, Steve Tarrant, survived but sustained serious injuries to the lower part of his right leg.[10] Since his recovery, despite his disability, he continues to marshal to this day. The gantry has since been made wider.
The central display
Since 1997, a car manufacturer has been honored with a central display. They are designed by Gerry Judah, and erected on the lawn in front of Goodwood House, especially for the Festival of Speed each year. This is a list of the temporary monuments:
| Year | Photo | Manufacturer | Featured vehicles (on the main display) |
Comment | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Ferrari | Ferrari F310B | 50th anniversary | [11] | |
| 1998 | Porsche | Porsche 936/81 Porsche 917-20 "Pink Pig" Porsche 917 LH Porsche 956 Porsche 911 GT1 |
50th anniversary | [11][12] | |
| 1999 | Audi | Audi Avus quattro Auto Union Type C Streamliner |
Depicts the banking of Avus as if the cars are racing together. The Streamliner is a replica built especially for the display | [11][12][13] | |
| 2000 | Jaguar | Jaguar E-Type Jaguar XK120 Jaguar C-Type Jaguar D-Type Jaguar XJR-5 Jaguar XJR-8 |
Depicts the cat's cradle. Celebrating its F1 debut | [11][12] | |
| 2001 |  |
Mercedes-Benz | Mercedes-Benz 300SL | 100th anniversary, resembling a gush of liquid, falling and spreading as it hits the ground. | [11][14] |
| 2002 |  |
Renault | Renault RS01 Renault RE40 Renault RE60 Williams FW14 Benetton B195 Williams FW18 Renault R202 |
Honouring its comeback in F1 racing. Depicting a feather | [15] |
| 2003 | Ford | Ford GT40 Mk. II | 100th anniversary. Depicting the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race and its famous finish. As the actual cars were on track, those displayed are replicas. | [16] | |
| 2004 | Rolls-Royce | Supermarine S.6 Campbell-Railton Blue Bird Bluebird K4 replica |
100th anniversary, indicating the brand's supremacy in record breaking on land, sea and air | [17] | |
| 2005 |  |
Honda | Honda RA272 Honda RA300 Lotus 99T Williams FW11 McLaren MP4/4 BAR 006 |
Of them all displayed, three of these including two Hondas, as the genuine cars ran, are replicas. | [18][19] |
| 2006 | Renault | Renault Type AK 90CV Renault R26 |
100th anniversary of Grand Prix racing. Used as a shelter for its Formula One cars that is designed to channel sound. Using a laptop, the cars can produce music out of its engine. Two tunes were performed, one of those played is God Save the Queen | [20] | |
| 2007 |  |
Toyota | Toyota TS010 Toyota Celica GT-Four Toyota GT-One Lola B2/00 Toyota TF107 |
Inspired by the traditional torii gates. Celebrating its 75th anniversary and 50 years involvement in motor sport. | [21][22] |
| 2008 |  |
Land Rover | Land Rover Defender Land Rover Discovery Land Rover Freelander Range Rover |
60th anniversary. Indicating the brand's "any terrain" essence. | [23] |
| 2009 |  |
Audi | Audi R8 Auto Union Type C Streamliner |
100th anniversary Sculpture depicting the road from the streamliner to the R8 forming a loop in front of the house. | ,[24][24] |
| 2010 |  |
Alfa Romeo | Alfa Romeo P2 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione |
100th anniversary | [25] |
| 2011 |  |
Jaguar Cars | Celebrating 50 years of the Jaguar E-Type | ||
| 2012 |  |
Lotus | Lotus 49 Lotus 79 Lotus 99T Lotus E20 |
'Past, Present and Future' | |
| 2013 | .jpg) |
Porsche | Porsche 911 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Porsche 911 991 |
50th anniversary of 911 | [26] |
| 2014 |  |
Mercedes-Benz | Mercedes-Benz W25 Mercedes AMG W04 |
120 years in motorsport | [27] |
| 2015 |  |
Mazda | Mazda 787B Mazda LM55 Vision Gran Turismo |
Hillclimb fastest times
| Rank | Year | Driver | Car | Fastest Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999 |  Nick Heidfeld |
McLaren MP4/13 | 0:41.60 |
| 2 | 2003 |  Graeme Wight, Jr. |
Gould GR51 | 0:42.90 |
| 3 | 2008 | Justin Law |
Jaguar XJR8/9 | 0:44.19 |
| 4 | 2009 | Justin Law |
Jaguar XJR8/9 | 0:44.40 |
| 5 | 2014 |  Sébastien Loeb |
Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak | 0:44.60 |
| 6 | 2015 | Olly Clark |
Subaru Impreza Gobstopper II | 0:44.91 |
| 7 | 2014 | Micheal Bartels |
Maserati MC12 Goodwood Cent 100 | 0:45.82 |
| 8 | 2013 | Justin Law |
Jaguar XJR8/9 | 0:45.95 |
| 9 | 2012 | Anthony Reid |
Chevron GR8 GT3 | 0:46.46 |
| 10 | 2010 |  Roger Wills |
Williams FW05 | 0:47.15 |
| Source:[28] | ||||
References
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External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Goodwood Festival of Speed. |
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