Goodwood Festival of Speed

June 29th - July 1st, 2012. Annual Goodwood Festival of Speed, Goodwood House, Chichester, W. Sussex, England.
www.goodwood.co.uk

The Festival of Speed is far more than just a hillclimb: it can justifiably claim to be the world’s biggest and most diverse celebration of the history of motor sport and car culture. It is the only occasion where you will see the greatest competition cars and star drivers from all eras in action: everything from 19th century steam carriages to current Formula One; fabulous racing motorcycles; classic rally cars to 3000bhp dragsters; plus motor sport legends like Moss, Surtees, Fittipaldi and Andretti rubbing shoulders with today's hottest properties such as Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso and Petter Solberg.

Motor racing first came to Goodwood in 1936 when the 9th Duke of Richmond held a private hillclimb through the park. Five years earlier he had won the Brooklands Double 12, and then in 1948 he went on to open the famous Goodwood Motor Circuit. These early events inspired his grandson, the present Earl of March, to bring motor sport back to Goodwood. This resulted in the first Festival of Speed, held in 1993 in the picturesque parkland surrounding Goodwood House.

Since the inaugural meeting, the Festival has become established as a key event in the motor sport social calendar. But it is not all about action on the hill. A 2.5-kilometre loose-surface rally stage – cut into the wooded area close to the hillclimb finish line – has around 30 cars from the history of rallying providing a thrilling demonstration of sideways driving throughout all three days of the event. Unrestricted access to the paddocks means that spectators and autograph hunters can get closer to the cars and drivers than at almost any other meeting.

Away from the bustle of competition, you can relax with a picnic on the lawns of the House among some of the most beautiful and innovative automotive creations, which are judged in the Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ design competition. You can explore the exciting displays of our many exhibitors, or visit the Goodwood Technology Pavilion (FOSTech), that showcases a variety of exciting new technologies from the motor manufacturers, design specialists and other motor industry suppliers with a strong emphasis on future environmentally-considerate motoring and personal mobility.

You can seek an adrenaline rush from the Festival's interactive entertainment, including driving simulators and 4x4 driving, children will delight in the special amusements to be found at the Junior Festival of Speed and the Supercar Paddock will delight visitors of all ages with a mouth-watering display of the very latest exotica for the road.

The Festival is motor racing's equivalent of Ascot or Wimbledon: an extravaganza of sound and colour that has been described as 'the garden party of the Gods'. In combination with the rich period theatre of the Goodwood Revival, the Festival of Speed ensures that Goodwood is unrivalled throughout the world.

Motorsport Hospitality Enquiries Sue Hopkins Telephone: 01243 755054

Motorsport: Goodwood Revival General Enquiries Mione Thorpe Telephone: 01243 755055