Star Drivers of the Goodwood Festival of Speed

April 17, 2015
Story By
John Brooks

The Goodwood Festival of Speed has, since its inception in 1993, become one of the greatest celebrations of man and machine at speed in the world. Lord March took over control of Goodwood in the early '90s and was determined to bring motorsport and motoring back to the Estate that had been a major part of international motor racing during the '50s and '60s. Well, he has succeeded beyond the wildest dreams of those who attended the first event some 20 odd years ago.

Of course these days the affair lasts for four days rather than the original two and has grown in both size and scope. There is no longer a motorshow in the UK; the canny Lord March spotted that particular gap in the market and introduced a new event on the Thursday preceding the Festival, the Moving Motor Show. Here the manufacturers get a chance to show off their model range to a well heeled bunch of automotive enthusiasts. Lord March gets the copious revenue stream from the lavish marketing budgets of the motor industry.

The display stands are impressive to say the least and the extra day adds substantially to the crowd figures, which these days are in excess of 200,000 or so it is claimed. It certainly feels like that at some points in the day. That has fueled some of criticism of the FoS; it is too popular and too big, a victim of its own success, though that does not seem to discourage the paying public.

Despite all the other attractions and distractions there is one feature that defines the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Hill. It is the the thread that has run consistantly through all of the many editions of the show and is undoubtedly the main attraction for the fans. So what was on offer this year? Well, for starters, the drivers...

Silver Arrows were prominent on the Hill, with motorsport legend, Sir Stirling Moss, reunited with a Mercedes-Benz W196. He was Fangio's team mate in 1955 in such a car when the Argentinian won his third Formula One World Championship. Moss is widely regarded as the greatest driver never to win a world championship, if anything, that increases the affection that he held in by the public.

Bringing the Mercedes story right up to date was the very popular Lewis Hamilton, playing up to his fans in a 2013 Grand Prix car. This year, Lewis, and his team mate Nico Rosberg, have swept all before them in a style reminiscent of Fangio and Moss back in the '50s.

Legends of the sport are to be found at every turn, like Sébastien Loeb, nine time World Rally Driver Champion.

The Frenchman thrilled the fans in his Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak, setting the fastest time of the weekend on the Hill.

The Festival of Speed is a broad church and is not wholly focussed on Europe. Charming the fans, as only he can, was The King, Richard Petty.

It's been 50 years since John Surtees became the only man to win a World Championship on both bikes and cars. Despite a huge falling out with Ferrari at Le Mans in 1966, he remains a very popular figure in Italy as well as the UK, so it was not a great surprise to see him in the Ferrari that he carried him to the title in 1964.

I wonder if he got more than a few words out of current driver Kimi Räikkönen, who had his own share of ups and downs at Maranello.

The mutual respect is evident, well they are both part of a very select club, World Champions driving a Ferrari.

Even the President of the FIA, Jean Todt, drops in to see his Lordship. Motor bike racing legend, Giacomo Agostini, explains the thrill of the Hill. With his record of 15 World Titles and 122 Grand Prix victories "Ago" is another firm favourite of the paying public.

The paying public, ah yes. At the British Grand Prix this year a single General Admission ticket is £175, (yes $294) and for that you do not even get access to the infield or get anywhere near the pits or paddock. At the Festival of Speed, the stars are available and will even sign autographs and exchange pleasantries with the fans. No wonder the place sells out, treating your customers with respect, perhaps others could learn from that attitude. Sir Jackie Stewart makes a few lucky folk happy.

And now for something completely different, Mad Mike Whiddett in his Nitto Tire FD3 Mazda RX-7, with all that smoke it is handy having a partnership with the Japanese tire company.

More rubber abuse, this time Dani Sordo in the Hyundai i20 WRC, which is competing in the 2014 FIA World Rally Championship.

The 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed was a great event, a proper celebration of the automobile. It is essential to go along at least once, if you have any kind of petrol in your veins. (Photography by Simon Hildrew and courtesy of Maserati)

Star Drivers of the Goodwood Festival of Speed

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