I should have known it wasn't going to work. The internet that is. So here I am at home, penning a few random thoughts from the first day of the Festival of Speed with a few things to look out for if you're coming along. Including an idiot - me - attempting to bypass the traffic jams by driving a gigantic Mercedes 4x4 across the South Downs. That'll be me in the GL, slithering around on the chalk.
Taking the road less travelled to dodge queues
Anyway. First up, make sure you see the Mercedes W125 go up the hill. If you only see one old racing car in action make it this one. I could wax lyrical about the magic of these beasts for some time, from the tales of 190mph-plus through the Masta Kink on the old Spa circuit to the technical might packed under that low-slung silver bodywork. These supercharged eight-cylinder single-seaters were proper monsters, running on a cocktail of exotic fuel and putting out a conservative 592hp according to Mercedes' official archive. Anyway, read up on it. Marvel at what it must have been like to try and tame one back in the day.
None of this prepares you for the sheer ferocity of seeing it and hearing it - mainly hearing it - in action. Even at a demonstration pace the thing looks barely in control, sound tearing the air apart and black lines traced from its back wheels every time the brave soul at the wheel dares go near the throttle proof of just how potent it is. A proper animal of a car. And that's what's great about Goodwood. The W125 is one of my personal icons. Everyone will have their own. Most will be here in one shape or another. There really is something for everyone.
See the cameras? Fruits of this to come...
Anyway. Enough Merc stuff already. What else did I see today? Tiff Needell doing a very big skid round the first corner on the hill in the PH M4. Good work that man. Lots of people enjoying the sunshine - here's hoping that stays. And just car after iconic car. I was trying to work today. Failing, mainly. I'm looking forward to enjoying the rest of the weekend as a spectator. See you there!
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