FYI: The Duke of Richmond, with his outstanding flair for automobiles, has turned the Goodwood Estate into a mecca for car enthusiasts with the iconic Goodwood Festival of Speed he launched in 1993.
The Goodwood Festival of Speed: A Mesmerizing Automotive Extravaganza
The Duke of Richmond, the visionary owner and manager of the Goodwood Estate, seems to have an extraordinary knack for automobiles. With the inception of the Goodwood Festival of Speed back in 1993, the Duke fostered an event that has grown in fame, diversity, and grandeur, unparalleled in the automotive world.
The Genesis of the Festival
The formula behind this captivating event is deceivingly simple: transform the picturesque driveway into a racetrack lined with hay bales, send out a prestigious set of invites to luxury car owners and notable drivers, and watch as automotive history comes alive. However, the festival’s success hinges on the extraordinary variety of vehicles showcased—each edition more spectacular than the last.
2024’s Theme: "From Horseless to Hybrid"
This year’s theme, "From Horseless to Hybrid," paid homage to the evolution of motorsport technology over the past 130 years. It celebrated advancements from the earliest horseless carriages to state-of-the-art hybrid engines, offering a unique journey through time for all automobile aficionados.
An Overwhelming Experience
Whether a seasoned visitor or a first-timer like our own Stefan, the Goodwood Festival of Speed can be an overwhelming sensory experience. From the moment you arrive at the four-day event, the abundance of remarkable vehicles makes it hard to see everything even before stepping out of the parking lot. Despite meticulous planning, the grandeur and sheer scale of the event can leave anyone in awe.
Unveiling the Show-Stoppers
In recent years, as traditional international car shows have dwindled, the Festival has emerged as the premier platform for new vehicle launches. Major manufacturers seize the opportunity to unveil their latest models to a captivated audience, amplified by extensive live online coverage. This year was no different, with several stunning vehicles making their debut.
A Parade of Innovation
From modified marvels to cutting-edge competition vehicles, the Festival showcased the best and brightest in automotive engineering. The flamboyant Mad Mike Whiddett debuted the Mad Mac, an extraordinary beast built on a McLaren 650S GT3 chassis, enhanced with a Rocket Bunny kit, and powered by a custom Mazda 20B turbo rotary engine. Despite a rushed 100-day production and some minor issues at the event, the car was a standout.
A Grand Finale: The Timed Shootout
The excitement peaked with the weekend’s traditional timed shootout. This year, the spotlight was on Ford’s Supervan 4.2, driven by Pikes Peak regular Romain Dumas. The Supervan, boasting 1,400 horsepower, clocked a blistering time of 43.9 seconds, securing its place as the fastest up the hill in 2024.
The Red Bull Spectacle
Adding to the spectacle, Red Bull Racing celebrated its 20th anniversary in F1 by taking over the entire Cathedral Paddock. Highlighting the event was the reveal of the RB17, a hypercar that embodies two decades of racing expertise. With its lightweight build and more than 1,200 horsepower, the RB17 promises performance rivaling that of an F1 car in the hands of a skilled driver.
Monumental Sculptures and Iconic Vehicles
In front of the iconic Goodwood House, the centerpiece sculpture this year featured MG, a nod to its storied past juxtaposed with its modern offerings. The installation creatively balanced a classic MG B-Roadster with the futuristic MG Cyberstar on a striking red spar, embodying the festival’s celebration of automotive evolution.
Subaru’s Project Midnight vs. Ford’s Supervan
Subaru’s contribution, Project Midnight, featured a purpose-built WRX paired with a vintage GL Huckster, driven by crowd-favorite Travis Pastrana. Despite a valiant effort by Scott Speed, Project Midnight couldn’t surpass the electrifying performance of Ford’s Supervan.
Reflecting on the Festival
Returning home after the Festival of Speed, it’s common to need a few days to process the incredible array of vehicles and spectacles witnessed. Inevitably, social media will reveal sights and experiences you might have missed, serving as the perfect excuse to attend again next year.
Stay tuned for more updates and highlights from the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2025.
Donald Smith
Editor, Automotive.fyi
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