1st time at Goodwood, your thoughts?
Discussion
pacenotes said:
EVOTECH3BELL said:
The timing of the screens vs the commentary was a joke. Seems to get worse every year.
We normally enjoy the rally stage but again the commentary wasn't working at all. Spoke to some of the drivers up there and they said it had been on and off all weekend.
While I'm on the rally stage, they had decided to run it backwards this year. This was due to a TV event that happened a few weeks ago, which ended up being run backwards for better shots. This is fine but goodwood didn't think to change the location of the start and finish grandstand. This meant you couldn't see the start line at all, and having a big empty grandstand about 20m after the finish.
New company doing the TV this year, A few teething problems with screens/PA... We normally enjoy the rally stage but again the commentary wasn't working at all. Spoke to some of the drivers up there and they said it had been on and off all weekend.
While I'm on the rally stage, they had decided to run it backwards this year. This was due to a TV event that happened a few weeks ago, which ended up being run backwards for better shots. This is fine but goodwood didn't think to change the location of the start and finish grandstand. This meant you couldn't see the start line at all, and having a big empty grandstand about 20m after the finish.
The rally stage was planned to be ran in reverse about 9 months ago to spice it up! It had been the same the past few years and few I mean about 20! But when we showed up to set up the stage it seems they copied and pasted the other bits from last year. Which was a shame.
I'd say we will change it back next year and maybe change it every other year from now on as it worked fairly well.
Most years they do promo videos with cars running backwards/forwards all over the place so that wouldn't decide they would change. Remember its a propper rally stage so all paperwork/diagrams need to be signed off by Motorsport UK months in advance.
Il always remember loeb creating the biggest dust cloud I've ever experienced. Really something.
VladtheImpala said:
I get what you're saying but my point was the complete opposite of your first sentence.
I'm loaded in Wetherspoons, but at Goodwood I couldn't feel further away from being loaded, pretending or not, their attitudes towards the great unwashed was just so obvious.
Even if they weren't being brazenly obnoxious about their wealth, it seemed that simply having that status made them particularly unpleasant. Perhaps my subconscious jealousy was popping up every so often, but it wasn't generally fun to be reminded that you can't be an actual part of it, really.
I think this rather shows that the problem may be your own rather than the event itself. I prefer the MM and Revival personally but the FoS remains a world class event celebrating what is basically a pretty elitist sport. If you like motorsport/shiny fast cars you’d be better served getting your head around the realities that underpin it.I'm loaded in Wetherspoons, but at Goodwood I couldn't feel further away from being loaded, pretending or not, their attitudes towards the great unwashed was just so obvious.
Even if they weren't being brazenly obnoxious about their wealth, it seemed that simply having that status made them particularly unpleasant. Perhaps my subconscious jealousy was popping up every so often, but it wasn't generally fun to be reminded that you can't be an actual part of it, really.
I haven’t been for many years but I always found some of the best entertainment was just walking around the car parks, there was always such a variety of cars to see.
Like any blue ribbon event, it’s going to be packed full of punters, many of whom aren’t there for the actual purpose of the event itself but just to ‘be’ there. And to not expect to be gauged on food and drink is a little naive - take your own or just accept it and enjoy yourself.
It is miles away from what it started out as, and far too busy for me personally, but it’s still one of the world’s best motoring events in the world.
If you go again, there are some great tips in this thread which will help you enjoy it more.
Like any blue ribbon event, it’s going to be packed full of punters, many of whom aren’t there for the actual purpose of the event itself but just to ‘be’ there. And to not expect to be gauged on food and drink is a little naive - take your own or just accept it and enjoy yourself.
It is miles away from what it started out as, and far too busy for me personally, but it’s still one of the world’s best motoring events in the world.
If you go again, there are some great tips in this thread which will help you enjoy it more.
ridds said:
I'm a member of the GRRC and have been for many years now. GW is literally down the road from me and I usually attend most events.
Unfortunately, as you've found FoS just doesn't cut it for me anymore. When I do go, it's on the Thursday or Friday as those days are much quieter.
The content at FoS has also reduced considerably since Covid happened. Much fewer stands from manufacturers and trades.
Same with the Breakfast Club events. It's full of families now, not fellow car fanatics as it was when the Breakfast Clubs started.
Members Meeting and Revival is all I really attend now along with the quieter events that are held there.
We should be encouraging families to attend things like this, not putting events down for including them. My love for anything with an engine is from being taken as a child to the 2nd ever FOS. Unfortunately, as you've found FoS just doesn't cut it for me anymore. When I do go, it's on the Thursday or Friday as those days are much quieter.
The content at FoS has also reduced considerably since Covid happened. Much fewer stands from manufacturers and trades.
Same with the Breakfast Club events. It's full of families now, not fellow car fanatics as it was when the Breakfast Clubs started.
Members Meeting and Revival is all I really attend now along with the quieter events that are held there.
ecsrobin said:
We should be encouraging families to attend things like this, not putting events down for including them. My love for anything with an engine is from being taken as a child to the 2nd ever FOS.
I agree that's a really, really strange thing to have an issue with. I probably get less than 50% out of a day like FoS with my kid in terms of stuff covered compared to on my own, but seeing it through his eyes is absolutely priceless.The next generation of motorsport mechanics, engineers, petrolheads and racing drivers are born at events. My son is 7 and wants to be an engineer more than anything.
I took both of my boys to FoS and the Revival from ~7-8 years old and those are some of my fondest memories of them growing up.
Now, aged 24 and 28 they both love cars....and had made their own way to Goodwood for this year's Festival.
Job done.
Now, aged 24 and 28 they both love cars....and had made their own way to Goodwood for this year's Festival.
Job done.
Edited by WhyOne on Sunday 3rd July 20:32
I've done Goodwood a few times and over the years it has felt less fun frankly. I like to see the classic stuff, the noises of the cars etc but it's definitely become overcrowded and elitist.
Makes me think of being on an ocean liner, you want to be there, you want to have fun but you're in steerage and all the posh stuff is all around but is totally out of reach and they are all looking down at you.
Makes me think of being on an ocean liner, you want to be there, you want to have fun but you're in steerage and all the posh stuff is all around but is totally out of reach and they are all looking down at you.
VladtheImpala said:
Well done for managing to find them amongst the 14 million people there!
It was nice seeing big Nige there, albeit on a screen, and seeing (apparently) George Russel drive past (he has a helmet on, could've been anyone!).
Jokes aside, oh wait, no, let's talk about the BMW seating area. 2.5 hour wait to sit down, and then you could only have it for an hour, so I was told. The steward couldn't believe the look of disbelief on my face.
I suppose she thought I could just go and sit in my BMW if I wanted to sit down so much.
In 2009 you could flash your BMW key at their stand and go straight up to the viewing area. I swear 13 years ago about 1/10 of the people were there on a Saturday. It’s got so busy that it just isn’t what it was.It was nice seeing big Nige there, albeit on a screen, and seeing (apparently) George Russel drive past (he has a helmet on, could've been anyone!).
Jokes aside, oh wait, no, let's talk about the BMW seating area. 2.5 hour wait to sit down, and then you could only have it for an hour, so I was told. The steward couldn't believe the look of disbelief on my face.
I suppose she thought I could just go and sit in my BMW if I wanted to sit down so much.
F20CN16 said:
In 2009 you could flash your BMW key at their stand and go straight up to the viewing area. I swear 13 years ago about 1/10 of the people were there on a Saturday. It’s got so busy that it just isn’t what it was.
I suspect all the manufacturers cutting back on their stands (or no stands) makes people have less to do so makes everywhere else more crowded. Toyota was a no show, FCA was a no show I think, Ford had gone from a 3 storey stand to a pretty pathetic stall and so on. All them things kept people occupied, they were never the selling point of the show but they kept families entertained.
ecsrobin said:
ridds said:
I'm a member of the GRRC and have been for many years now. GW is literally down the road from me and I usually attend most events.
Unfortunately, as you've found FoS just doesn't cut it for me anymore. When I do go, it's on the Thursday or Friday as those days are much quieter.
The content at FoS has also reduced considerably since Covid happened. Much fewer stands from manufacturers and trades.
Same with the Breakfast Club events. It's full of families now, not fellow car fanatics as it was when the Breakfast Clubs started.
Members Meeting and Revival is all I really attend now along with the quieter events that are held there.
We should be encouraging families to attend things like this, not putting events down for including them. My love for anything with an engine is from being taken as a child to the 2nd ever FOS. Unfortunately, as you've found FoS just doesn't cut it for me anymore. When I do go, it's on the Thursday or Friday as those days are much quieter.
The content at FoS has also reduced considerably since Covid happened. Much fewer stands from manufacturers and trades.
Same with the Breakfast Club events. It's full of families now, not fellow car fanatics as it was when the Breakfast Clubs started.
Members Meeting and Revival is all I really attend now along with the quieter events that are held there.
It's fine "IF" the people who are attending are car fans.
Unfortunately most are not. Lots of kids running amok around the cars, very little consideration for "scratchy" clothes and accessories near cars. I saw a group of 4 kids openly jump in a historic open top car at the last one I attended. Completely unsupervised and totally inappropriate behaviour.
That sealed it for me.
sahajesh said:
I was there really don’t get the OP’s frustrations.
Most of the concerns could be dealt with by some planning and awareness that all large events will be like this - food and queues.
Can’t do much about the bag of McCains that was being hefted about on their shoulder.
Was going to say I’m surprised he had to buy any food at all! Most of the concerns could be dealt with by some planning and awareness that all large events will be like this - food and queues.
Can’t do much about the bag of McCains that was being hefted about on their shoulder.
ridds said:
I'm referring to the Breakfast Clubs wrt to "easy day out for families".
It's fine "IF" the people who are attending are car fans.
Unfortunately most are not. Lots of kids running amok around the cars, very little consideration for "scratchy" clothes and accessories near cars. I saw a group of 4 kids openly jump in a historic open top car at the last one I attended. Completely unsupervised and totally inappropriate behaviour.
That sealed it for me.
And yet after many years of breakfast clubs I’ve never witnessed anything like that. It's fine "IF" the people who are attending are car fans.
Unfortunately most are not. Lots of kids running amok around the cars, very little consideration for "scratchy" clothes and accessories near cars. I saw a group of 4 kids openly jump in a historic open top car at the last one I attended. Completely unsupervised and totally inappropriate behaviour.
That sealed it for me.
That’s poor parenting not the fault of a family having a day out.
I went last year for the first time and enjoyed it.
Seems like the main reason the OP didn't enjoy it is his obsession with wealthy people, which is really rather odd. Are you from a small town or something, OP, and just not used to it? Living in London, I'm surrounded by preposterous wealth every single day, whether I can see it or not. Sometimes it's overt, like the plethora of Lambos and Ferraris I see on the streets, or random events like the youngish guy who plonked himself down opposite me on the tube the other day casually sporting an all gold Rolex Daytona (£35k list, closer to £100k if you want one now). Could've been fake, could've been real... who knows? None of these events would have a negative impact on my mood and cause me to enjoy whatever I was doing less.
Plus, you mentioned elistism, what were the "elites" doing that you couldn't do? What did they do that impeded your day?
I agree it's meant to be a car / motorsport event and, being a pretty casual guy myself, I don't quite get the jacket and pointy shoes brigade. but it's whatever. Let them do what they need to do. They may not have a pot to piss in and are just flexing for the day. Playing the rich guys, who knows. Ironically, 3 of the 5 people in the group of mates I was with earn well into six figures - but we were a bunch of 30s lads in shorts and tshirts, so maybe it didn't trigger you as much.
FWIW, I completely agree with the poster above that you've got to make it work for you. If you do Goodwood "badly" you might hit all the queues, see nothing and be left wondering what all the fuss is about. When I go back again I am going to plan the day a bit more. Maybe give the event another try next year and leave all the f**ks that you might give about other people at the gate.
Seems like the main reason the OP didn't enjoy it is his obsession with wealthy people, which is really rather odd. Are you from a small town or something, OP, and just not used to it? Living in London, I'm surrounded by preposterous wealth every single day, whether I can see it or not. Sometimes it's overt, like the plethora of Lambos and Ferraris I see on the streets, or random events like the youngish guy who plonked himself down opposite me on the tube the other day casually sporting an all gold Rolex Daytona (£35k list, closer to £100k if you want one now). Could've been fake, could've been real... who knows? None of these events would have a negative impact on my mood and cause me to enjoy whatever I was doing less.
Plus, you mentioned elistism, what were the "elites" doing that you couldn't do? What did they do that impeded your day?
I agree it's meant to be a car / motorsport event and, being a pretty casual guy myself, I don't quite get the jacket and pointy shoes brigade. but it's whatever. Let them do what they need to do. They may not have a pot to piss in and are just flexing for the day. Playing the rich guys, who knows. Ironically, 3 of the 5 people in the group of mates I was with earn well into six figures - but we were a bunch of 30s lads in shorts and tshirts, so maybe it didn't trigger you as much.
FWIW, I completely agree with the poster above that you've got to make it work for you. If you do Goodwood "badly" you might hit all the queues, see nothing and be left wondering what all the fuss is about. When I go back again I am going to plan the day a bit more. Maybe give the event another try next year and leave all the f**ks that you might give about other people at the gate.
I had a long break away from the FoS after attending for many years, I'm now happy to get up early / get down there / look at what I want to before the crowds start building.
Food is expensive at most big events, you have the choice to take your own (try getting even a bottle of water into some of the big American events), I see Goodwood as putting on the same 'event' for everyone that can afford the entry, as with most things in life you can add to the experience by upgrading from GA, this happens at most events.
At least you get access to all the cars at the FoS (no matter what you have paid), you certainly can't do that at other events (how much is the Paddock Club at the F1 these days?), the people that own and / or drive them are normally happy to chat (pick your moment, it's no good trying to talk to some one when they are busy getting ready for a run), you can spend a full day there and pick what you want to do when you want to do it.
I'm never concerned about 'who has what', there will always be people with less or more than you have, no point in worrying about that, treat everyone as a fellow rational human being (until they prove otherwise) and I'm sure the day will flow for you (OP)
Food is expensive at most big events, you have the choice to take your own (try getting even a bottle of water into some of the big American events), I see Goodwood as putting on the same 'event' for everyone that can afford the entry, as with most things in life you can add to the experience by upgrading from GA, this happens at most events.
At least you get access to all the cars at the FoS (no matter what you have paid), you certainly can't do that at other events (how much is the Paddock Club at the F1 these days?), the people that own and / or drive them are normally happy to chat (pick your moment, it's no good trying to talk to some one when they are busy getting ready for a run), you can spend a full day there and pick what you want to do when you want to do it.
I'm never concerned about 'who has what', there will always be people with less or more than you have, no point in worrying about that, treat everyone as a fellow rational human being (until they prove otherwise) and I'm sure the day will flow for you (OP)
I went with 2 friends on Friday.
I bought the tickets.
One paid for the fuel & we used his car.
The other paid for all the food & drink.
They gave me £20 each to square up at the end of the day.
Food was good for a big event.
We had a marvellous time & I’d go back tomorrow if I could.
Rally stage was my favourite bit especially if you waddle down into the forest.
I bought the tickets.
One paid for the fuel & we used his car.
The other paid for all the food & drink.
They gave me £20 each to square up at the end of the day.
Food was good for a big event.
We had a marvellous time & I’d go back tomorrow if I could.
Rally stage was my favourite bit especially if you waddle down into the forest.
[quote=VladtheImpala]
Anyway, I was grateful to receive a free ticket from BMW due to the M anniversary, and with hindsight I am pleased I didn't have to pay for it. I don't think I would pay to go in the future.
I can't quite put my finger on why I didn't enjoy it though, I think there are several small reasons and I'm probably wrong/spoilt for internally whinging.
I found it to be so brazenly elitist, it was nauseating. Yes I get you have to be loaded before you can even make eye contact with someone 'important' in the motorsport world, but I felt there could have been more of something less elitist. I'm not sure what, but I've found myself feeling totally uninterested by these brands now. Roger Dubuis, a watch maker with a giant stand, don't you dare be inquisitive and go in though. Saville Row blazers only please.}
Man who gets free ticket because he owns a BMW complains of elitism ? I've never been to FoS, but have been to many MMs and Revivals - sure , my inner class warrior might bristle at some of the hoorays in the crowd but I have never had a problem chatting to drivers and car owners . Found myself f being engaged at a MM by a lovely old boy about Ferraris as I was perving over a 275 GTB /4 - said old boy had owned two, and only a bloody GTO ! He got his daughter to show me on her phone him driving around Donington in it . F1 drivers, Le Mans winners - I'm a nobody but all have been happy to talk,
Anyway, I was grateful to receive a free ticket from BMW due to the M anniversary, and with hindsight I am pleased I didn't have to pay for it. I don't think I would pay to go in the future.
I can't quite put my finger on why I didn't enjoy it though, I think there are several small reasons and I'm probably wrong/spoilt for internally whinging.
I found it to be so brazenly elitist, it was nauseating. Yes I get you have to be loaded before you can even make eye contact with someone 'important' in the motorsport world, but I felt there could have been more of something less elitist. I'm not sure what, but I've found myself feeling totally uninterested by these brands now. Roger Dubuis, a watch maker with a giant stand, don't you dare be inquisitive and go in though. Saville Row blazers only please.}
Man who gets free ticket because he owns a BMW complains of elitism ? I've never been to FoS, but have been to many MMs and Revivals - sure , my inner class warrior might bristle at some of the hoorays in the crowd but I have never had a problem chatting to drivers and car owners . Found myself f being engaged at a MM by a lovely old boy about Ferraris as I was perving over a 275 GTB /4 - said old boy had owned two, and only a bloody GTO ! He got his daughter to show me on her phone him driving around Donington in it . F1 drivers, Le Mans winners - I'm a nobody but all have been happy to talk,
Having attended FoS for the fourth time this year I can say it seems to be getting better, it's not the same for everyone and everyone has different expectations and requirements of the day. This year was the first time I've taken my lad for multiple days - Thu-Sat - making a plan to see different things each day really worked well. We even managed to find time to stalk his favourite driver and get a hat signed.
Yes it's expensive, yes the food and drink are expensive - keeping a ravenous 8-year-old fed and watered could have easily put a deposit on a shiny new car. But we are where we are - I don't drink £7.50 pints every day and over-priced food is a given in this situation, it's a business after all.
I'm also a GRRC member - which doesn't mean an awful lot but it is what it is. That in itself has been accused of being elitist recently - but that's kind of the point, it takes a while to become a member and it costs money to do it. It's not for everyone.
The beauty of FoS is that you can make it what you want, watch the action, don't watch the action, go to the Rally, or don't, etc... What we should remember is that this event is pretty much unique - I'm not sure there is anywhere else that offers the kind of close up action and access to such a variety of machinery. And the chance to be amongst like-minded individuals - sure there are people who go against what we're there for - but then you don't have to like everyone or everyone's reasons for being there. It's the same the world over, people go to football matches solely for networking, for instance, I'm sure the same is true of FoS.
Goodwood does a fantastic job of hosting an array of events for pretty much every taste, even my dog got a look in with Goodwoof this year. In an economic climate where businesses and events are failing, they have done an excellent job of keeping it going.
Yes it's expensive, yes the food and drink are expensive - keeping a ravenous 8-year-old fed and watered could have easily put a deposit on a shiny new car. But we are where we are - I don't drink £7.50 pints every day and over-priced food is a given in this situation, it's a business after all.
I'm also a GRRC member - which doesn't mean an awful lot but it is what it is. That in itself has been accused of being elitist recently - but that's kind of the point, it takes a while to become a member and it costs money to do it. It's not for everyone.
The beauty of FoS is that you can make it what you want, watch the action, don't watch the action, go to the Rally, or don't, etc... What we should remember is that this event is pretty much unique - I'm not sure there is anywhere else that offers the kind of close up action and access to such a variety of machinery. And the chance to be amongst like-minded individuals - sure there are people who go against what we're there for - but then you don't have to like everyone or everyone's reasons for being there. It's the same the world over, people go to football matches solely for networking, for instance, I'm sure the same is true of FoS.
Goodwood does a fantastic job of hosting an array of events for pretty much every taste, even my dog got a look in with Goodwoof this year. In an economic climate where businesses and events are failing, they have done an excellent job of keeping it going.
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