The Goodwood Festival of Speed is a spectacular annual event that celebrates the rich heritage of motorsport and showcases a stunning range of vehicles from different eras. Held in the beautiful grounds of Goodwood House, this iconic festival has become one of the most eagerly anticipated gatherings for car enthusiasts and racing fans from all over the world.
With a history dating back to 1993, the Goodwood Festival of Speed has evolved into a four-day event that attracts both manufacturers and private collectors, who show off their impressive car collections. The event offers a unique opportunity to witness an awe-inspiring collection of cars, ranging from vintage classics to cutting-edge supercars and everything in between.
Bridge Classic Cars Director, Craig attended the Festival Of Speed 2023 and had an incredible time admiring some extremely notable vehicles. A big talking point of the FOS was the highly-anticipated reveal of Caterham’s Project V – a fully-electric sports car that can cover 0 – 62mph in 4.5 seconds before carrying on up to a top speed of 143mph!
Many famous faces were present at the festival including the likes of racing drivers Esteban Gutierrez, Jenson Button, Karun Chandhok, Mika Häkkinen, Damon Hill, Travis Pastrana and Mark Webber. Sebastian Vettel also made a memorable appearance in multiple cars from his own personal collection. Vettel’s presence was to promote sustainable fuel throughout the motorsport industry as well as in daily driving.
Craig said: “This was my first time attending Festival of Speed. I have been to Revival and Members Meet for many years so it was good to finally see FOS too. I had a great time at the event, there were a lot of cars there that I couldn’t help but to stop and admire. As a lifelong car nut, I was certainly in my element and will definitely return again.”
The Hill Climb
At the heart of the festival is the famous hill climb, where drivers compete against the clock to ascend the challenging course that winds its way through the Goodwood estate. The hill climb showcases the raw power, precision, and skill of both historic and contemporary racing machines. Spectators gather along the route, witnessing the thunderous roars and breathtaking speeds as drivers push their vehicles to the limits.
There are usually a number of cars that don’t make it to the end of the course and this year was no different. One crash that got a lot of media attention was the Hyundai RN22e which ploughed through the hay bales in a spectacular impact. It’s likely millions of pounds worth of damage was caused over the festival this year seeing as some extremely special (and expensive) cars didn’t make it around the course unscathed.
Goodwood Festival Of Speed 2023 – Highlights
The Goodwood Festival of Speed also boasts an impressive display of legendary racing cars, offering visitors a chance to get up close and personal with some of the most iconic vehicles in motorsport history. From Formula 1 cars that have graced the world’s most famous circuits to rally cars that have conquered treacherous terrains, the festival pays homage to the achievements and innovations that have shaped the automotive landscape.
Another big part of the festival is the spirit of innovation. This is apparent through the showcasing of cutting-edge technologies and concepts that represent the future of transportation. Electric and hybrid vehicles, autonomous driving technologies, and sustainable mobility solutions take centre stage, emphasising the importance of environmentally friendly practices in the automotive industry.
For example, Sebastian Vettel put on a display as part of his ‘Race without Trace’ initiative where he used fossil-free P1 sustainable fuel to power his 1992 Williams and 1993 McLaren F1 cars. These are the legendary cars that took Nigel Mansell to the Formula 1 World Championship and the late Ayrton Senna to his final race at Monaco.
Craig said: “The future of the automotive industry is not completely clear right now. Seeing how some of the big names are reacting to the change in priorities definitely makes me a bit more confident that we aren’t going to lose the thrill of driving anytime soon. The sustainable fuel that Vettel demonstrated today is a clear indication that it is possible to enjoy your cars while still moving more towards a sustainable future.”
