Yet another record was set at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Moving Motor Show this year. The 185 000 in attendance were treated to an automotive feast for the senses ranging from F1 racecars to concepts, rare classics and exotics.
By Barry Wiseman
Among this year's highlights were;
• Over 120 famous drivers, with Alain Prost making his first appearance, alongside drivers from all eras, from Sir Stirling Moss to Sebastian Vettel. The theme was, “Young Guns-Born to Win.”
• The now-famous sculpture in front of Goodwood House this year was a homage to Lotus: a 28-metre structure, signifying the lightness and grace of the marque in its sixtieth year. Around forty significant examples of Lotus took to the hill during the weekend.
• Many cars made their first UK public appearances here, including the new Bentley EXP9F SUV, Ford Evos concept, Citroen Racing Concept, Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe and CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake, Korea’s firstsupercar, the de Macross and even an electric-powered Morgan!
• Another spectacular debut was that of the 95-litre Cummins diesel engine, as powerful as fifty F1 cars. Surely some speed freak will manage to insert one into a chassis and go record breaking?
• The concours field was packed with vehicles of the British royal family, celebrating the Diamond Jubilee with cars, an airplane and a railway carriage.
• The hillclimb was won by Anthony Reid, driving a Chevron GT3 racer, but top speed of the day was Justin Law, who crossed the finishing line at 228km/h, in his Jaguar XJR8/9.
• Bonhams auction saw a new auction record for a British car, when the ex-Sir Henry “Tim” Birkin 1929-31 4.5-litre Blower Bentley single-seater sold for £5 041 500. The famous “Corgi” Rolls-Royce 40/50HP Pullman sold for £4 705 500 and in all, the sale raised £22-million.