Fos 2015 verdict
Discussion
First time at FOS, attended on the Sunday (which was rather busy!).
Thoroughly enjoyed the day and was amazed at all the cars I got to see, a bit overwhelming at first to be honest, in the best possible way of course. I am very accustomed with small shows and little meetups, so going to something of this calibre was a nice breath of fresh air with the mixture of various kinds of cars from different eras and parts of racing etc.
If I was to go again next year, which is looking like a yes, I'll book the grandstand tickets probably. Me and my dad are not the tallest, so had a bit of trouble to view a lot of what was going on. Although the sound of some of the cars passing up onto the hill made the hairs on my neck stand, definitely! Also, really enjoyed the typhoon display.
Highlights; seeing Rossi and seeing him drive the 787b, Babs, 205 T16 on the Peugeot stand with all the battle scars and all(aswell as the Pikes Peaks cars)and Jean Ragnotti ragging the Renault 5 Turbo about. Those were definitely the main ones, there's definitely a lot more that I could come up with - just too many to mention!
I haven't been to the others before to make a comparison, but I will definitely go again next year and might try to do the full thing if I can.
Thoroughly enjoyed the day and was amazed at all the cars I got to see, a bit overwhelming at first to be honest, in the best possible way of course. I am very accustomed with small shows and little meetups, so going to something of this calibre was a nice breath of fresh air with the mixture of various kinds of cars from different eras and parts of racing etc.
If I was to go again next year, which is looking like a yes, I'll book the grandstand tickets probably. Me and my dad are not the tallest, so had a bit of trouble to view a lot of what was going on. Although the sound of some of the cars passing up onto the hill made the hairs on my neck stand, definitely! Also, really enjoyed the typhoon display.
Highlights; seeing Rossi and seeing him drive the 787b, Babs, 205 T16 on the Peugeot stand with all the battle scars and all(aswell as the Pikes Peaks cars)and Jean Ragnotti ragging the Renault 5 Turbo about. Those were definitely the main ones, there's definitely a lot more that I could come up with - just too many to mention!
I haven't been to the others before to make a comparison, but I will definitely go again next year and might try to do the full thing if I can.
Edited by pedromayn94 on Friday 3rd July 22:31
4th year for us and still enjoyed it. Only gripe was the new grandstands at Molecomb. But then as alluded to earlier, we are one of those Sunday grab a space earlier and sit for the rest of the day to watch the hill climb with a paper bunch.
Tractor queues were too long, but actually it meant the walk up through the trees and rally stage was appreciated more as it was quiet and we could see all around.
Having been there since Thursday night with a 3yr old, leaving Sunday at 4.00pm was the right thing and no issues with traffic.
Whether it is because I now have an exciteable child I don't know, but I definitely thought there was a lot more for children. We did struggle to haul him off the cars at Vauxhall.
Trade stands were definitely gearing more towards expensive stuff as opposed to auto related items. I'd like to see more Goodwood FOS collectibles like the cars that were featured that year or something.
Tractor queues were too long, but actually it meant the walk up through the trees and rally stage was appreciated more as it was quiet and we could see all around.
Having been there since Thursday night with a 3yr old, leaving Sunday at 4.00pm was the right thing and no issues with traffic.
Whether it is because I now have an exciteable child I don't know, but I definitely thought there was a lot more for children. We did struggle to haul him off the cars at Vauxhall.
Trade stands were definitely gearing more towards expensive stuff as opposed to auto related items. I'd like to see more Goodwood FOS collectibles like the cars that were featured that year or something.
Quite amazing reading the various reviews of the FoS now. I went to the first ever one in the (early?) 90's. It was a case of deciding what we fancied doing for the day and noticed this "Festival Of Speed" was on, I'm from Portsmouth so Goodwood is local anyway. We parked up in a field (no queues for miles around) and then wandered in, I remember standing on the grass in front of Goodwood House with just a rope shielding the crowd from the hill climb in front. There was plenty of room to find a spot and watch the car's fly round the corner and up the hill. Apart from the paddock area at the start I don't remember an awful lot else to see.
Scary how long ago that is now, probably before some of you were even born
Scary how long ago that is now, probably before some of you were even born
You can piss and moan about FOS all you like, fact is - there is NOTHING close to resembling what FOS offers.
If you are a true petrolhead, the FOS will offer something to excite the pulse.
The accessability,the history, the uniqeness of it all more than jsustify the entry fee.
There isnt a petrolheads day out that offers a tenth of what FOS does, so accept it for what it is and enjoy your day out.....
If you are a true petrolhead, the FOS will offer something to excite the pulse.
The accessability,the history, the uniqeness of it all more than jsustify the entry fee.
There isnt a petrolheads day out that offers a tenth of what FOS does, so accept it for what it is and enjoy your day out.....
I came from Australia with a mate to see it and wasn't disappointed. We stayed in Basingstoke and enjoyed the drive each day (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and the stories of traffic jams seemed overstated to me as we got in quite easily each day with only the last mile a bit slow. We used the Supercar parking and that was great too - close to the entrance and speedy to get in and out of, and lots of lovely cars to look at. Sunday was fairly crowded so we enjoyed the other days more. I highly recommend the FOS and would certainly do it again.
tonymor said:
Yes I know from a stall holder who used to do FOS and Revival that they've been priced out as many others have .
I noticed less car parts, model, etc orientated type stands and more "lifestyle" - jewellery, garden furniture, wine, etc stands. With regard to stand prices it's been know as the festival of greed for years.With some time perspective I both loved it and thought it was lacking a bit this year. I think being a victim of its own success means its hard to please the regulars each year but I found some of the hillclimb stuff if not boring a bit bland. However I love the drifting and stadium trucks etc so its great theyre trying new things. Ive never been into drifting before but theyre great fun to see, plus the NASCAR boys trying hard to win the climb is a good thing.
I went on Thursday for the first time and really enjoyed that as I got to walk up to the rally and see a bit of that in practise, saw a stadium truck practise, drove an Audi in their offroad and got a ride up the hill in a Focus too. Plus I walked around all the trade stands and manufacture areas, saw the paddocks nice and quiet and the GAS arena as well. Meant less to do over the weekend.
Most of the riders/drivers were obliging so I met most that I wanted to, Casey Stoner was a gent despite being hounded to pieces on Friday!
Sunday I pretty much hated and left quite early. For me not only did it feel WAY more crowded but there seemed to be a different sort of person visiting and there was more aggro: one bloke got all iffy with me for no reason by the F1 cars and another got arsey because he wouldnt move and let me get out so I had to try and force past. Also saw a couple of younger lads being abusive to a bloke when they tried to nick his spot. Rossi was a great name to get but seemed to bring in SO many people just wanting to get a glimpse that it was madness. Actually the best time was when he was on the balcony as it was quiet elsewhere! The amount of people waiting thinking theyd meet him out the back of the drivers club and blocking the route for cars to get to the assembly was mad.
Oh and the free Monster from their area were helpful when I got tired!
I went on Thursday for the first time and really enjoyed that as I got to walk up to the rally and see a bit of that in practise, saw a stadium truck practise, drove an Audi in their offroad and got a ride up the hill in a Focus too. Plus I walked around all the trade stands and manufacture areas, saw the paddocks nice and quiet and the GAS arena as well. Meant less to do over the weekend.
Most of the riders/drivers were obliging so I met most that I wanted to, Casey Stoner was a gent despite being hounded to pieces on Friday!
Sunday I pretty much hated and left quite early. For me not only did it feel WAY more crowded but there seemed to be a different sort of person visiting and there was more aggro: one bloke got all iffy with me for no reason by the F1 cars and another got arsey because he wouldnt move and let me get out so I had to try and force past. Also saw a couple of younger lads being abusive to a bloke when they tried to nick his spot. Rossi was a great name to get but seemed to bring in SO many people just wanting to get a glimpse that it was madness. Actually the best time was when he was on the balcony as it was quiet elsewhere! The amount of people waiting thinking theyd meet him out the back of the drivers club and blocking the route for cars to get to the assembly was mad.
Oh and the free Monster from their area were helpful when I got tired!
Only observation this year, was there were no Chris Evans with his Supercars on the Sunday. As I thought the people who pay for various things for the ride in his cars for Children In Need (I think) was to go up the Goodwood Hill on the Sunday of the FoS.
Does anyone know why we did not have them this year?
Does anyone know why we did not have them this year?
F1JHerbert said:
Only observation this year, was there were no Chris Evans with his Supercars on the Sunday. As I thought the people who pay for various things for the ride in his cars for Children In Need (I think) was to go up the Goodwood Hill on the Sunday of the FoS.
Does anyone know why we did not have them this year?
They are opening CarFest South instead this year, which I guess makes sense as CarFest is a Children In Need event.Does anyone know why we did not have them this year?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3hySSMGks...
F1JHerbert said:
Only observation this year, was there were no Chris Evans with his Supercars on the Sunday. As I thought the people who pay for various things for the ride in his cars for Children In Need (I think) was to go up the Goodwood Hill on the Sunday of the FoS.
Does anyone know why we did not have them this year?
I'm glad they didn't do it this year. I don't want to pay to see some road cars take some people up a hill. That's what the supercars run is for and a good time to get food. Does anyone know why we did not have them this year?
Love the FOS
Been going every year since 2012
Little bit sad that the 787B didn't really give it the beans at all.
I was looking forward to hearing it in person as sadly I was yet to exist at the 1991 Le Mans!
Spent quite a while drooling over the Toyota 2000GT at the Toyota Stand.
When I win the lottery I shall have one!
Another excellent FOS! already looking forward to 2016
Been going every year since 2012
Little bit sad that the 787B didn't really give it the beans at all.
I was looking forward to hearing it in person as sadly I was yet to exist at the 1991 Le Mans!
Spent quite a while drooling over the Toyota 2000GT at the Toyota Stand.
When I win the lottery I shall have one!
Another excellent FOS! already looking forward to 2016
Watched a lot of it online live and didn't feel that I missed out on being there at all.
The crowds put me off and I have no interest in the manufacturer stands. The runs up the hill were a mix of parade all the way through to genuine wonderfulness, but blimey, the format is pretty repetitive. Nothing like as enjoyable as the Revival of the MM for me, Historic racers going toe to toe is way more exciting than FOS. Always felt that it is over hyped but glad it exists...
The crowds put me off and I have no interest in the manufacturer stands. The runs up the hill were a mix of parade all the way through to genuine wonderfulness, but blimey, the format is pretty repetitive. Nothing like as enjoyable as the Revival of the MM for me, Historic racers going toe to toe is way more exciting than FOS. Always felt that it is over hyped but glad it exists...
I've only been a handful of times, and my thoughts are:
When I first went in the early 2000's, on a Sunday, it was busy but not excruciatingly so. Could easily move around, and it had the feeling of despite being well-organised, still a very grass-roots, enthusiasts festival.
Mid 2000's, Sunday was a bit more of a nightmare, and the corporate presence was much greater, as has been noted.
I had a break, and then went last year, on a very well-received free ticket that someone kindly donated to me, as I was a poor student
The two main things that made it good last year was going on the Friday, and getting there very early doors. My friend who I went with has a strict policy of going to shows at the crack of sparrows, that despite being hideous to get out of bed for, really pay dividends. We arrived before gates opened, and when we got in, really did have the run of the place, and were able to get close to everything tasty in the paddock, and get photographs, almost alone. Of course by about 10am you couldn't move....so, get there early!
When I first went in the early 2000's, on a Sunday, it was busy but not excruciatingly so. Could easily move around, and it had the feeling of despite being well-organised, still a very grass-roots, enthusiasts festival.
Mid 2000's, Sunday was a bit more of a nightmare, and the corporate presence was much greater, as has been noted.
I had a break, and then went last year, on a very well-received free ticket that someone kindly donated to me, as I was a poor student
The two main things that made it good last year was going on the Friday, and getting there very early doors. My friend who I went with has a strict policy of going to shows at the crack of sparrows, that despite being hideous to get out of bed for, really pay dividends. We arrived before gates opened, and when we got in, really did have the run of the place, and were able to get close to everything tasty in the paddock, and get photographs, almost alone. Of course by about 10am you couldn't move....so, get there early!
Zippee said:
Shaoxter said:
Daston said:
2) The car park (M) getting out seemed to have no organisation, we decided to just stay in the car and sit it out but observed people jumping the que, driving to the top of the hill and forcing their way in or creating new lines of cars trying to merge into the existing que.
Guilty! 
But then everyone else was doing it so...
Rally stage was also nowhere near as good as previous years.
Silverstone classic is so much better IMHO.
I won tickets to the Moving Motor Show via Twitter on the Tuesday before so had to make hasty arrangements for someone to stay on the Thursday night, YHA Littlehampton to the rescue. Never been before and left Sheffield at 2.30 in order to get there as near to opening as possible. Got in at 7am and missed out on the possibility of any Motor Show drives/rides partly due to going for a coffee as soon as I got through the gate - just a tip; if you're running a business selling breakfast ata massively popular event that opens at 7am and you're the first coffee place people will see, maybe be ready before 7. Awful place.
Anyway, after getting over my disappointment at missing out on some rides started having a good wander round. Queued for just over 2 hours for a ride in the F-Type but was supplied coffee by a mate I'd been to uni who just happened to be sales manager for JLR. Went for a drink with him after and met up with another ex-uni mate who was working for SEAT. He proceeded to furnish me with a pass for the sponsors area and a day pass for Friday. Super bonus
Back there Friday at 7am for the first day of the actual FOS, decided to get in the queue for Range Rover rides, amazing what they can do. After a bit of breakfast, a walk up to the rally stage, surprising how far that was but saw a few runs up the hill as I wandered up and shouts tot he two blokes drinking Veuve from the bottle at 9.30. Spent a good while up at the rally stage wandering around the Group B stuff and getting weak-kneed at the Lancia 037. Great time but mindful of it being Friday and needing to get home, I left at midday. Just got in my car as the Red Arrows flew over, probably should've noticed that in the schedule, did get to enjoy them flying over me as I drove away.
Very enjoyable two days overall, very grateful for a) the tickets I won (shame I couldn't give my spare away, I did try but was told at the gate that "we don't do that" when I said if anyone rocked up on the off chance could they pass it on) and b) the freebies from my ex-uni mates who I'd not seen for a fair few years, will definitely look to visit again.
Anyway, after getting over my disappointment at missing out on some rides started having a good wander round. Queued for just over 2 hours for a ride in the F-Type but was supplied coffee by a mate I'd been to uni who just happened to be sales manager for JLR. Went for a drink with him after and met up with another ex-uni mate who was working for SEAT. He proceeded to furnish me with a pass for the sponsors area and a day pass for Friday. Super bonus
Back there Friday at 7am for the first day of the actual FOS, decided to get in the queue for Range Rover rides, amazing what they can do. After a bit of breakfast, a walk up to the rally stage, surprising how far that was but saw a few runs up the hill as I wandered up and shouts tot he two blokes drinking Veuve from the bottle at 9.30. Spent a good while up at the rally stage wandering around the Group B stuff and getting weak-kneed at the Lancia 037. Great time but mindful of it being Friday and needing to get home, I left at midday. Just got in my car as the Red Arrows flew over, probably should've noticed that in the schedule, did get to enjoy them flying over me as I drove away.
Very enjoyable two days overall, very grateful for a) the tickets I won (shame I couldn't give my spare away, I did try but was told at the gate that "we don't do that" when I said if anyone rocked up on the off chance could they pass it on) and b) the freebies from my ex-uni mates who I'd not seen for a fair few years, will definitely look to visit again.
I've been going to the FOS from the early days pre 2000 (dad used to take me), went every other year after 2000 and after 2007 have been every year.
The event has changed significantly, and whilst understandably this is a revenue generating event for the longevity of the estate, it no longer has that garden party ambience.
This year I attended on a Friday and left feeling slightly disappointed. One of the key things that has changed is the attendees. Years ago I can remember bumping into Jude law, Jeremy Irons, Roman Atkinson etc. This year we have large groups in matching T-shirts on the lash.. If you want to see that you can attend the nearest hub town high street on a Saturday night.
With the rest of the estate being so well developed and successful, I think they could do well to refactor the festival and return some of that garden party feel.
The event has changed significantly, and whilst understandably this is a revenue generating event for the longevity of the estate, it no longer has that garden party ambience.
This year I attended on a Friday and left feeling slightly disappointed. One of the key things that has changed is the attendees. Years ago I can remember bumping into Jude law, Jeremy Irons, Roman Atkinson etc. This year we have large groups in matching T-shirts on the lash.. If you want to see that you can attend the nearest hub town high street on a Saturday night.
With the rest of the estate being so well developed and successful, I think they could do well to refactor the festival and return some of that garden party feel.
Gassing Station | Goodwood Events | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff