The British Grand Prix, Wimbledon and now the Goodwood Festival of Speed – you well and truly know it’s the height of British summer. Now in its 33rd year, the Festival of Speed, hosted by the Duke of Richmond in the grounds around Goodwood House in Chichester West Sussex – is a must go to event on your motorsport list. There is always something for everyone. Trust us!
The British Automobile Racing club plays an integral part during the festival offering sporting and administration support to enable the mammoth four-day event to run like clockwork. British Hillclimb Championship Manager Tim Wilson is the Senior Clerk of Course for the event and leads a strong officiating team who look after the event help arrange the hill control logistics. The BARC organise both the Motorsport UK and Auto-cycle Union permits and organise pre-event briefings.
The BARC further support the administration of the event – helping to sign on and check the licences of over 300 drivers as well as organising the army of volunteer marshals in the paddocks, at the start line and hill side that help keep the show on the road.
While the BARC look after the event behind the scenes, – if you are a season regular or first time visitor, we hope these little tit-bits will help you get even more out of your weekend if you are going. Motorsport’s ultimate summer garden party is here. If you have never been – put it on your list for 2027!
1 – The Paddocks – Get in early!
The Paddocks are a real treasure trove to dive into and will leave you feeling gobsmacked or find yourself reminiscing big time. The Ballroom, Cathedral and Brooklands paddocks are situated either side of the main house and in our opinion should be one of the first places to visit. The Festival can get very busy – particularly on the weekend. Car Parks open at 06:30 and Gates open at 07:00 – if you can get there for then – do it. The Paddocks are fairly quiet when the festival opens. Head to the Main Ballroom one first and then explore the others on the other side of the house.
There is always something that takes your breath away. Perhaps you have never seen a car like it in person, or you stumble upon a car that you remember in a period that brings back wonderful memories. Going early enables you to take photos without many people around and are likely to find team members or car owners who will only be too happy to chat about the car or bike they are working on as it’s not too busy for them yet. You might even spot a famous driver or two milling around at the same time as they look to beat the crowds too for a look around. After all, they are fans of the sport as well!
2 – The Hillclimb
The cars you have seen up close – most will take to the hill for at least one run during the day. The total running order is massive, it’s colossal – longer than any other hillclimb event in the UK. If you want to see it all – you won’t be disappointed but it’s over half a day, but if you are into a particular section of cars, F1, Touring, Le Mans, Rallying – have a look online or keep an eye on the big screens as they show up the latest running order for that day.
Find a spot in good time – perhaps a batch or two before your one so you can guarantee a good spot. A particular favourite of ours is the free to stand viewing terrace on the inside of turn one and two – giving you a chance to hear the cars reverberate between the trees over your left shoulder before bursting into view. You will get to see those who are committed, those who are going for a time or those who are out to entertain!
Whether it’s an early Edwardian machine through to the latest creations from Gordon Murray Automotive – you won’t be disappointed with the sight, sound and smell of every era!
3 – Forest Rally Stage
If you are into rallying or not – it is well worth visiting the bespoke Rally Stage at the top of the hill. Take our advice on this one, please. Unless you are a triathlete – take the complementary tractor shuttle up and you can catch them just north of the Ballroom Paddock. It’s bumpy – but it’s fun!
The stage designed by the late, great Hannu Mikkola has it all. Fast, flowing corners to hairpins and ‘s’ bends and even a small jump. Its slippery, chalky surface makes it very interesting – in the dry or wet and you can really explore lots of different vantage points as the stage is one big horse shoe – so you don’t have to walk far to see some good spots.
A full history will be in action from the dawn of rallying right the way through to the modern gladiators in the World Rally Championship. Just be prepared for the dust if it has been dry! You have been warned!
4 – Cartier Lawn
For a more laid back experience – the Cartier Style et Luxe Lawn is the place for you. Some of the most innovative, beautiful, game changing and all out unique are presented in the Concours d’Elegance. Judged in the latter part of the weekend, the public can get up close and personal to the cars all weekend and admire the craftsmanship, design and aura.
Expect to see beautiful sports icons to the more weird and wonderful cars and brands as well.
Speaking of design – do get up close or shall we say, get up close to the bottom of the Central Feature in front of the house. You can’t miss it! Always a closely guarded secret as to what it will look like each year – this year the monument will celebrate Singer and its iconic designs. Some of our favourites in the past include the symbolic 1997 nod to Ferrari, the water misting display from Ford in 2003, the 2005 counterbalancing act to celebrate the involvement of Honda in F1 and the huge rock for Land Rover in 2018.
5 – Timed Shootout
Finally the timed shootout on Sunday is something to behold. If you are there on Sunday, watch it. If you are at home on Sunday – watch it online. Anything and everything takes part, and in true hillclimbing fashion, the slowest time set in the practice runs, run up the hill first with the running order getting faster and faster. The outright hill record sits at a 39.08 by Max Chilton in the electric McMurtry Spéirling.
The time might not be beaten this year, but you get to see some proper cars being driven in anger giving it a go – as they were designed – gunning for a time. Last year James Wallis in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car, Scott Speed in the ‘Project Midnight’ Subaru WRX and Romain Dumas in the electric Ford Supertruck all went head-to-head with Dumas in the van eventually sealing the FTD with a 43.23 seconds!
An event at Goodwood never fails to disappoint, and as Roy Salvadori so eloquently put it many years ago – Give me Goodwood on a summer’s day and you can forget the rest.
