I’ve been there several times, and I’ll go again. It simply has a better experience than any other motor shows around the world!

Please repeat after me: Good-wood. And again … The name of one of the largest motoring events in the world. Although for the few newcomers who have been living on the Moon until now and are unfamiliar with what is going on, I will explain … We are talking about a unique motoring event officially called the Festival of Speed. It is essentially a huge show on several beautiful English meadows. And a race to the top! All organised by the honourable Lord March on his estate.

The first Festival of Speed was staged at Goodwood in 1993. Since then, its renown has only risen. The race to the top has become a huge event for all motoring enthusiasts. Car manufacturers are enthusiastic to present their new cars or concept cars, and the people around Lord March appear to have such a reach that they can bring in the rarest cars from all around Europe and all over the world.  

Whether you find a spot by the racetrack, take a walk around the cars on display or pay extra to enjoy the very best in the VIP areas, goose bumps are guaranteed, and an incredible experience is in store. The Festival of Speed is not the biggest in terms of length (the track measures just 1.86 kilometres and the time trial in the forest is barely a kilometre), nor is the number of visitors. Instead, it is about inviting literally the entire history of motorsport to a single place over a single weekend. 

Vintage cars from the beginning of the twentieth century, young timers, hot camouflaged prototypes, the wild beasts of class B, cars from Pike Peaks and Le Mans, contemporary WRC specials, F1 cars of all generations, super sports cars, dragsters, motorbikes, and unique machines made to order all take to the track at different times each year. And in the cockpits, racers and drivers of all generations. 

When I was there last, many greats were among the guests – Derek Bell, Jenson Button, Anthony Davidson, Pedro de la Rosa, Emerson Fitipaldi, Dario Franchitti, Chris Goodwin, Lewis Hamilton, Damon Hill, Sir Chris Hoy, Sebastien Loeb, Felipe Massa, Allan McNish, Alister McRae, Jackie Oliver, Henri Pescarolo, Richard Petty, Jean Ragnotti, Anthony Reid, Bernd Schneider, Bruno Senna, Dani Sordo, Jackie Stewart, John Surtees, Bjorn Waldegard, Andy Wallace, and Mark Webber. 

I also visited the biggest Formula 1 paddock I’ve ever seen, given that Goodwood regularly shows an incredibly large number of Formula 1 cars. Cars of all possible teams, constructions, and eras can be seen in improvised boxes. Formula 1 cars are no longer allowed to race for safety reasons, but the drivers don’t mess around, meaning you can see (and above all hear) the cars up close. 

Goodwood has recently become something of a family attraction, too. Young and old alike love the 5D cinema, where you can sit on special pivoting and tilting seats with 3D glasses on your nose and experience different races from the programme. Towed trailers lined with seats are similar to the “trains” you might see at the zoo, the difference being that instead of lions and chimpanzees, you see the best cars of all time.  

It will probably come as no surprise that the standard and size of the Goodwood Festival of Speed rises every year, meaning that the best idea is to go for at least two full days. And if you really want to see it all or take part in an auction, for example, or check out the market here in detail, then you are going to need an entire long weekend. One other thing worth mentioning is that each year has its own special theme. 

I’ve been there several times, and I’ll go again. It simply has a better experience than any other motor shows around the world! Everything will be provided by the Ricard & Bonette agency – see what their package looks like here. It’s a bit better experience than all car showrooms in the world! Go for it!