The entire car-loving community was either at the Goodwood Festival of Speed or watching the livestream on YouTube. This British event took place once again on the estate of Lord March, and with a delightful lineup of participants, visitors were treated to all the beauty the automotive world has to offer.
From brand-new to pre-war classics, that's the beauty of the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Every car enthusiast has something to look forward to. Whether it's Max Verstappen in the Red Bull RB20B or a brand-new Hongqi, as Chinese brands are also represented at this festival. This isn't necessarily something we view positively, as the hillclimb is increasingly polluted by the electric vehicles these manufacturers bring. No, we’d rather see the Ferrari 250 GTO, Mercedes-Benz CLK LMR, or the McLaren MP4/1B that Niki Lauda drove.
The Festival of Speed is one of those automotive events you must experience in your lifetime. The magic begins as soon as you drive into the parking area around the event. There’s already plenty to see for car enthusiasts, from Koenigsegg and Bugatti to Porsche. All brands are represented. Additionally, Rolls-Royce shuttles continuously ferry people, and Aston Martins are everywhere. Once you pass through the gates, the festival truly comes to life. The paddock, where all the cars await their turn to take action, is packed with people. Don’t worry - there are no barriers, and you can get up close to every car. If you do something inappropriate or get in the way, one of the hundreds of diligent volunteers will be there to correct you, possibly with a whistle. Yet, there’s plenty of space to do as you please, and that’s what makes this event so delightful. Thursday and Friday are the most relaxed days to visit, but on Saturday and Sunday, the real action starts as everyone chases the record for the fastest hill climb!
Photos by Niels Keekstra
