Tartan tarmac goes to Goodwood Festival of Speed 2014
Being a Goodwood Festival of Speed veteran of some 14 years, this visit was different in that my task, was to; assess, consider and now report to you about the event. For those who have never been to the Festival of Speed, and want to find out about the real feel for it.
The Basics:
The event takes place in the grounds of Goodwood house, near Chichester in the far South of England, not the racing circuit which is close by. The Goodwood Revival and breakfast meetings are run there. The Revival is quite different. The roads or track for the Festival of Speed are the estate roads in front of the house. This year, about 200,000 people visited over the event days from Thursday to Sunday. When I first went there, there were only about 65,000, which is now the approximate number you get on a Sunday. Back then it had a nicer âsmall eventâ feel to it.
The entire event is ‘alfresco’ and consequently weather dependent. It is advance ticket sales only, which at ÂŁ60 for the Sunday is quite expensive, but includes parking. A lot of the catering on site uses produce from the Goodwood Estate and is of a high quality, with prices comparable with other events.  The event occupies a large area on both sides of âthe Trackâ as well as the Rally Stage area which is about a 20 minute walk from the house.
Cons:
The biggest drawback is getting in and out the event. Being a country estate the local roads are not designed to cope with 25-30,000 extra cars per day. Getting into the event car parks at peak times will take at least 30 minutes. Leaving on local roads will take at least an hour to get to a main A road. Beware therefore of taking any old car which has cooling issues or does not like idling for long periods.
The second drawback is where to stay. Hotel accommodation locally is limited as it is a country area. Accordingly if you want to stay for say three days either camp or book very early. Avoiding peak times could ease this but would extend or shorten your day considerably. To enjoy the event fully and avoid this, I would stay in a local hotel within a 10 mile radius for two or three days.
The third drawback is the crowds. As it is all advance tickets the organisers determine the maximum numbers per day. I believe they had 230,000 tickets for sale and were therefore 30,000 down this year. The reason may be due to the crowding. You pay extra for Grandstand access or other packages. There is also membership of the Goodwood Club, which gives certain privileges although these are again tiered. It is a large corporate hospitality event with VIP access.
Consequently there is a palpable ‘Them and us’ dimension even amongst the club people. Those who participate in providing or supporting the cars for entertainment or providing something for the event, etc deserve privileges for doing so. If this type of division bothers you, it will here. As for the crowds, I think this an issue. It is the most common complaint I hear from those who go and reason from those who no longer go. There is a finite number of ‘new’ people who will fill in for the disillusioned. The new ones will face the same issue and the dilemma to return.
Pros:
Now for the good news:
If you are car obsessed and will endure the above hardships, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.
The main advantage, is getting beside, seeing hearing and sensing the cars and drivers that otherwise you would never get near, hear or see, irrespective of your level of payment for other events. Most of the racing cars and bikes are in portable garages in the âpaddockâ which is a yard adjacent to the house, where you can stand inches from them. I was standing beside cars that fought Le Mans this month. They looked as if they just came off the track, with dirt, dead flies etc all over them. Some of their drivers were with the cars and happy to chat and pose for photos e.g. Anthony Davidson of Toyota who came third.
Most of the ‘special’ Cartier and Supercars are the same. Chris Evans had 7 of his cars there, such as a Ferrari F40, 250 etc. All these very valuable cars are just left sitting on the lawn, along with other extremely valuable cars. In all the times that I have been there, I have never had a concern about the way the public approach or view these cars, although, for the first time I saw a person trying to open a collection car! I doubt it is the ticket price that determines behaviour, but rather the audience who are attracted there.
There are also very high profile drivers, like Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Kimi Raikkonen, Damon Hill etc. They usually have limited access and security, but need to walk by you to go to and from the cars. Many others just wander around to and from the paddock or the event, or to the Drivers Club enclosure. That is always lined with spectators hoping to speak to, photograph or get autographs from their heroes. The drivers are generally approachable, friendly, and happy to pose or sign autographs. They are human, and clearly have limits, especially if preparing to drive or dealing with the owners of the cars they are driving for. It is a fun event for them too and to for them to meet drivers and riders in other areas of the sport past and present. Most people just observe and don’t bother them. I was literally feet away from Stirling Moss and Damon Hill and various Le Mans works drivers among others. If you like racing cars and drivers, it’s just nice to see them in a ‘normal’ setting.
Likewise with the cars. Ever heard of it? Ever wanted to see it? Flavor of the moment. Like the 918, Le Ferrari, P1, Hurrican? All there! There was a lime green Le Ferrari, which possibly isnât the best colour and the usual red one. There is a Supercar Paddock, which has everything current that you could want to see and more you probably hadnât heard much about; The Cartier âStyle Luxâ annual exhibition in the lawn in front of the house, which has some amazing, unique or very special cars, just sitting on the lawn without rails or protection around them. There is also a nominated manufacturer special presentation, this year being Maserati, to celebrate itâs 100th. There are always lots of special and current cars e.g. the Alferi; a supercar car park for visitors; 20 manufactures trade stalls with new launch models and specials eg BMW i8; VW XL1, the new Electric Golf GTE; New Focus ST etc.
In short, you get a mini motor show of current models; all the current supercars; and usually a very good selection of current and historic Supercars racing cars and bikes. All inches away AND to be able to HEAR them and SEE them move, right beside you.
The latter two points are what makes Goodwood special. Nowhere else does this in the same way. If you want to literally breath cars; then fill your lungs. Happily, there appear to be few of the idiots that think car shows mean they can do what they like to touch enter or sit on or in cars. Whilst summary execution for those like that, is too good for them in my opinion, it would appear that the cost and remoteness seem to keep them away.
Additionally: There are âtrackâ runs most of the day. Although this is really an area from the paddock round a corner and by the grandstands for about 700m. Most of the âtrackâ is not accessible to the public and is viewed on large screens. However you can hear, smell and see the cars go by at varying speeds and degrees of show offedness!
Additionally:Â There are the usual trade stands, selling everything motor related, although generally of higher quality than the âcar boot saleâ feel you get, at say the NEC.
Additionally:Â (yes I know there are lots) there are various forms of entertainment, such as Music, Rally Stages and Fly Pasts of current or unusual planes. Sadly they donât seem to bomb or strafe, but hey, they havenât got Airdrie down there!
Conclusion:
It is a very big event and seeing there everything really takes about 2 days. There are different happenings each day, to provide varied entertainment. The whole event is very slick and very well organised. However it should be for the prices charged. I am sure that many of you who travel about and meet fellow petrol heads are asked about Goodwood and if you have been, such is its International reputation.  The question I am more often asked is about the virtually unrestricted access to cars and drivers. It deserves it. It is definitely worth a visit. It is always difficult to make the best better by adding to it. It is a formula that works uniquely well. However the organisers have to address the numbers admitted each day. Improving the best here, should be the elimination of problems. It canât be allowed to become a victim of its own success. It is too good, too special, and unique for that.
Comments on the forum as normal.
