Slightly underwhelmed
Discussion
My mates and I had a free drifting lesson in a 500bhp Lexus coupe at the low friction area at the motor circuit on Thursday. We got a lift there and back in a Lexus SUV and free coffee whilst there! It clearly pays to be on Lexus' mailing list!
I don't own a Lexus and never have... but having ragged an RC F (its a bit surreal not going anywhere whilst the wheels are spinning at the rev limiter in 1st gear!) I might just!
What with the free Thursday tickets (and no long queues in or out) it made a great day even better! Thanks Lexus...
I don't own a Lexus and never have... but having ragged an RC F (its a bit surreal not going anywhere whilst the wheels are spinning at the rev limiter in 1st gear!) I might just!
What with the free Thursday tickets (and no long queues in or out) it made a great day even better! Thanks Lexus...
I've been less and lees enthralled by FoS for the last few years. I dread to think how many we've been to, but probably at least 15.
This year was quite affected by the weather, I think. Certainly we stood still and watched the track action a lot more than we usually do. No rally stage hike this year neither, for obvious reasons.
Traffic control? I arrived early and our 'normal' route in was closed due to the terrible crash near the Kennels entrance, so we were diverted to car park M (cue spending a lot of the day worrying about being able to drive out up a slippery grassy/muddy hill) which added about 20 to 30 minutes to the journey time. We didn't make it down to the start line, or the trade areas either. There just wasn't the time given delays getting in and only having tickets for one day, nor the inclination given the ropey weather in the afternoon.
No plan survives contact with the enemy, so we were just grabbing a space next to the bales, or crashing round a paddock as and when we could. We saw all the batches go up in the morning, most of them before the rain arrived, then wandered over to the Cartier Lawn, supercar paddock, etc before eating at about 4.30pm from the Goodwwod Estate catering vans behind the drivers' area. Food was pretty good, although a tad expensive - but no more so than at any other commercial event.
Then I let the wife navigate our way back to the car. She took us to a 'track crossing' near the paddocks, and we watched the action waiting for the 'crossing' to open. Only then did I point out the lack of a gap in the bales on t'other side of the track, so we headed past the batch formation area. Then decided to stop and watch two batches form up to head to the start line.
This is where I stopped being "underwhelmed" by it all, and found myself getting really quite giddy again.
Highlight? Being stood beside the FIAT S76 as it came back into the paddock. Petrol goes in. FIRE! comes out. Absolutely awesome, it's more than 100 years old and is easily one of the best things there. Suffice to say that I was so close that I'll not be needing a haircut or a shave for some time, but I will be needing advice on eyebrow pencils, until mine grow back...
...I'm also hoping to recover my hearing in time for next year, as we were fortunate enough to be stood along the fence beside the supercar paddock as they all came back in from a hill run. Most of the Ferraris and a couple of the Aston Martins came back down that road behind the display stands, and almost all of those did some sort of 'launch control' start or a brief burnout less than six feet from us. My son was well happy.
As for the bad bits? I used to go in a suit, the wife in a nice frock, and enjoy the day in the sun. It feels like we used to be able to talk to more of the owners/drivers, even the not-so-famous ones. Now we just do jeans and t-shirt and accept the fact that we get nowhere near as close to cars and drivers in the paddocks as we used to. Call me old fashioned, too, but the drift cars? WTF? And to an extent, the motorbikes. They just seem to attract the Youtube generation with their orange skin and selfie sticks. I preferred it before it got so big if I'm honest. When it appealed to deep-down petrolheads, before it became such a mainstream event. I'll be back, of course, and I'll enjoy the day too. But I will reserve the right to be snobby about 'a certain class of people' who clutter the place up too much and drive like idiots in the car parks on the way out, and also to bemoan the price of everything and the proliferation of "off topic" trade stands that seem to want to choke the spirit out of the event. But when the sun shines, and you think about the cars and the motorsport royalty who've come out to play for one weekend in June, it's bloomin' awesome!
This year was quite affected by the weather, I think. Certainly we stood still and watched the track action a lot more than we usually do. No rally stage hike this year neither, for obvious reasons.
Traffic control? I arrived early and our 'normal' route in was closed due to the terrible crash near the Kennels entrance, so we were diverted to car park M (cue spending a lot of the day worrying about being able to drive out up a slippery grassy/muddy hill) which added about 20 to 30 minutes to the journey time. We didn't make it down to the start line, or the trade areas either. There just wasn't the time given delays getting in and only having tickets for one day, nor the inclination given the ropey weather in the afternoon.
No plan survives contact with the enemy, so we were just grabbing a space next to the bales, or crashing round a paddock as and when we could. We saw all the batches go up in the morning, most of them before the rain arrived, then wandered over to the Cartier Lawn, supercar paddock, etc before eating at about 4.30pm from the Goodwwod Estate catering vans behind the drivers' area. Food was pretty good, although a tad expensive - but no more so than at any other commercial event.
Then I let the wife navigate our way back to the car. She took us to a 'track crossing' near the paddocks, and we watched the action waiting for the 'crossing' to open. Only then did I point out the lack of a gap in the bales on t'other side of the track, so we headed past the batch formation area. Then decided to stop and watch two batches form up to head to the start line.
This is where I stopped being "underwhelmed" by it all, and found myself getting really quite giddy again.
Highlight? Being stood beside the FIAT S76 as it came back into the paddock. Petrol goes in. FIRE! comes out. Absolutely awesome, it's more than 100 years old and is easily one of the best things there. Suffice to say that I was so close that I'll not be needing a haircut or a shave for some time, but I will be needing advice on eyebrow pencils, until mine grow back...
...I'm also hoping to recover my hearing in time for next year, as we were fortunate enough to be stood along the fence beside the supercar paddock as they all came back in from a hill run. Most of the Ferraris and a couple of the Aston Martins came back down that road behind the display stands, and almost all of those did some sort of 'launch control' start or a brief burnout less than six feet from us. My son was well happy.
As for the bad bits? I used to go in a suit, the wife in a nice frock, and enjoy the day in the sun. It feels like we used to be able to talk to more of the owners/drivers, even the not-so-famous ones. Now we just do jeans and t-shirt and accept the fact that we get nowhere near as close to cars and drivers in the paddocks as we used to. Call me old fashioned, too, but the drift cars? WTF? And to an extent, the motorbikes. They just seem to attract the Youtube generation with their orange skin and selfie sticks. I preferred it before it got so big if I'm honest. When it appealed to deep-down petrolheads, before it became such a mainstream event. I'll be back, of course, and I'll enjoy the day too. But I will reserve the right to be snobby about 'a certain class of people' who clutter the place up too much and drive like idiots in the car parks on the way out, and also to bemoan the price of everything and the proliferation of "off topic" trade stands that seem to want to choke the spirit out of the event. But when the sun shines, and you think about the cars and the motorsport royalty who've come out to play for one weekend in June, it's bloomin' awesome!
Nothing wrong with the drift cars in my opinion, it's a valid, skilful, popular form of Motorsport, and it's what, 5 or 6 cars out of hundreds? The batches badly need a bit of a mix up/variation as it is.
On the subject of Motorsport that's looked down upon by a certain type of person, it was interesting to see that in my experience, by far the most accessible 'famous' drivers were the BTCC guys on Friday, hanging around their cars the whole time I was in the paddock chatting to people etc.
On the subject of Motorsport that's looked down upon by a certain type of person, it was interesting to see that in my experience, by far the most accessible 'famous' drivers were the BTCC guys on Friday, hanging around their cars the whole time I was in the paddock chatting to people etc.
Lynchie999 said:
... talking of drift cars, what happened to this F1 drift car that was suppose to be there ?!
I was looking forward to seeing that, Lewis Hamilton was supposed to be coming, but I'm guessing he didn't turn up. MotoGp guys weren't there as Assen race was on a Sunday. Weather was awful, worst I think it's been for many years.Very similar to last year for the experiences, but very poor on the merchandise stands for freebie pens/key fobs etc. ( though Michelin did a nice paper straw hat, sunglasses from Honda and Carwow - but still a lot less than last year. Audi bags were still abundant, no Hagerty Classic bags to be seen ( might be they come out for the Revival) -Daily Telegraph bags as long as you buy the paper were ok ( I bought 3 of them).
HoHoHo said:
I stopped going some years ago.
Same old same old every year and LM now simply takes the piss out of those who made the event.
I was offered free tickets this year but I'd rather stick pins in my eyes and from what I've heard from friends with an interest and now reading this I'm clearly not the only one.
I live just down the road & went to every one for years & happy to do so given that I was able to access a press ticket sometimes one for each day.Same old same old every year and LM now simply takes the piss out of those who made the event.
I was offered free tickets this year but I'd rather stick pins in my eyes and from what I've heard from friends with an interest and now reading this I'm clearly not the only one.
Then the penny dropped, every year was near enough the same. OK some know-all marketing guru would come up with a different 'theme' & of course the car makers had their new models on show but otherwise same stuff. So despite free ticket, now one for whatever day I chose, I couldn't be bothered. Come loss of free ticket issue & I got a whiff of a nasty smell called greed & grovelling to those with money.
Then I remembered a very smug LM in a magazine article saying how the best business advice he ever received was "put your prices up EVERY year irrespective of whether business is good or not" & a feeble attempt to elicit sympathy by claiming the state had only JUST got into profit.
Then I remembered a TV programme about the estate & how some senior manager boasted as to how hard they make employees work just in case they think that working for the gentry in a big posh house on a lovely estate meant an easy life
Then there was the visit behind the scenes & noting a grubby congested un air-conditioned set of offices located in the roof. Here upon the inside of the sloping eaves were big signs exhorting the sales staff who sat at tiny little desks to 'sell sell sell' & other signs showing ticket sales progress for many of the events. All perfectly acceptable & essential but it just seemed so tatty given the superior self-satisfied smugness that permeates wherever you go at Goodwood.
As long as anybody & ideally everybody buys a FoS ticket who the hell cares what the event is actually about apart from creating income?
Why even the 'free' Breakfast Club gets overwhelmed with non-motoring riff-raff out to take the micky & provide an outlet for expressing envy. Last year a friend got eggs thrown over his new Mercedes that was parked in the public car park, many empty beer cans about too.
Goodwood? More Chavwood.
WJNB said:
HoHoHo said:
I stopped going some years ago.
Same old same old every year and LM now simply takes the piss out of those who made the event.
I was offered free tickets this year but I'd rather stick pins in my eyes and from what I've heard from friends with an interest and now reading this I'm clearly not the only one.
I live just down the road & went to every one for years & happy to do so given that I was able to access a press ticket sometimes one for each day.Same old same old every year and LM now simply takes the piss out of those who made the event.
I was offered free tickets this year but I'd rather stick pins in my eyes and from what I've heard from friends with an interest and now reading this I'm clearly not the only one.
Then the penny dropped, every year was near enough the same. OK some know-all marketing guru would come up with a different 'theme' & of course the car makers had their new models on show but otherwise same stuff. So despite free ticket, now one for whatever day I chose, I couldn't be bothered. Come loss of free ticket issue & I got a whiff of a nasty smell called greed & grovelling to those with money.
Then I remembered a very smug LM in a magazine article saying how the best business advice he ever received was "put your prices up EVERY year irrespective of whether business is good or not" & a feeble attempt to elicit sympathy by claiming the state had only JUST got into profit.
Then I remembered a TV programme about the estate & how some senior manager boasted as to how hard they make employees work just in case they think that working for the gentry in a big posh house on a lovely estate meant an easy life
Then there was the visit behind the scenes & noting a grubby congested un air-conditioned set of offices located in the roof. Here upon the inside of the sloping eaves were big signs exhorting the sales staff who sat at tiny little desks to 'sell sell sell' & other signs showing ticket sales progress for many of the events. All perfectly acceptable & essential but it just seemed so tatty given the superior self-satisfied smugness that permeates wherever you go at Goodwood.
As long as anybody & ideally everybody buys a FoS ticket who the hell cares what the event is actually about apart from creating income?
Why even the 'free' Breakfast Club gets overwhelmed with non-motoring riff-raff out to take the micky & provide an outlet for expressing envy. Last year a friend got eggs thrown over his new Mercedes that was parked in the public car park, many empty beer cans about too.
Goodwood? More Chavwood.
I haven't been for years - I needed to catch up on a few corporate favours so invited 3 guests to the Kinara enclosure. Overall all was ok, but the traffic management was abismal - the traffic lights at the front of 8 miles of queuing were on their normal setting for a Friday morning! This sounds silly, but having spent £600+ for 4 of us one of my (Welsh) guests went to buy some beers - this greeted him:
She fully refused to top them up too, stating "the beer has air in it today"
b
h
She fully refused to top them up too, stating "the beer has air in it today"
bhFirst time visit for me.
I went on the Sunday and thought it was a fantastic event with a huge amount to see and good value at £65 per ticket. Queued for about an hour to get in at around 8am but no issues when leaving at around 6.
Highlight was being in the paddock when cars were either leaving or coming back from doing a run on the hill climb.
Will be back next year and would be tempted to get grandstand passes and maybe go for two days.
Highly recommend to anyone that hasn't been.
I went on the Sunday and thought it was a fantastic event with a huge amount to see and good value at £65 per ticket. Queued for about an hour to get in at around 8am but no issues when leaving at around 6.
Highlight was being in the paddock when cars were either leaving or coming back from doing a run on the hill climb.
Will be back next year and would be tempted to get grandstand passes and maybe go for two days.
Highly recommend to anyone that hasn't been.
Went agin for the 5th year running, only things that put a mark against the event for me were
- my own poor planning (I planned to arrive far to late to avoid the traffic and thought I'd chance my arm walking up to the rally stage rather than getting the tractor!)
- The weather and subsequent muddy conditions
Not a great deal the organiser can do about either.
I went with my wife and 2yo old daughtee who both loved it. We took a packed lunch and a flask of tea, Goodwood even provided a courtesy car to and from the event when they saw we were struggling with the buggy.
Will be going again next year.
- my own poor planning (I planned to arrive far to late to avoid the traffic and thought I'd chance my arm walking up to the rally stage rather than getting the tractor!)
- The weather and subsequent muddy conditions
Not a great deal the organiser can do about either.
I went with my wife and 2yo old daughtee who both loved it. We took a packed lunch and a flask of tea, Goodwood even provided a courtesy car to and from the event when they saw we were struggling with the buggy.
Will be going again next year.
Itsallicanafford said:
...an amazing array of cars (F1 LM, mazda 787 etc) You can get as close as you like while still giving these machines the respect they deserve. But you can also get the impression of what bespoke pieces of machinery these are, the 787 had all it body panels removed at one point and see you see all the details (such as the unnumbered mazdaspeed VIN plate. All the engines being pre-warmed before their runs was quite something to behold.
Hate to disappoint, but the 787B was there last year. This year they brought the older (and less successful) 767B.(I'll stop being pedantic now)
This year was my 5th Goodwood FoS and I went on the Friday. I can't say it was the best I've ever been to. I'll break down the pros and cons from my perspective:
Pros
Pros
- Corvette Racing were there, after I'd poked them for a few years on twitter about turning up. Seeing the C7.R go up the hill was an utter joy. The Pratt & Miller guys were really cool to talk to, as well.
- The folks in the Mazda stand were great - very interested in hearing about my recent MX-5 NB purchase, and keen on discussing the various ins and outs of each MX-5 with me. Plus they gave out some free stuff so I can't complain.
- I saw Mad Mike Whiddett walking about the paddock and he seemed super happy to interact with his fans - absolutely how it should be at Goodwood. Saw a few other names like Oliver Gavin and Matt Neal wandering about too.
- The drift cars were pretty great as always.
- Toyota Gazoo Racing had a full-sized Toyota TS050 simulator that you could get into. I just about managed to cram my 6'3" self into the thing and it was an awesome thing to experience.
- Parking - we got there just after 7am on Friday, and we were placed into a muddy field that was 2 fields away from the entrance. The other field wasn't full and cars were pouring in, so I'm not sure why we were forced to park so far away. The ground was a complete and utter quagmire on the walk to the gates, which could have been sorted out with some woodchips - not sure why this wasn't in place.
- Lack of LMP1s on the hill. Normally, Audi, Toyota and Porsche all go up - this year, Toyota's car sat idle, Porsche's didn't arrive until late on Friday and Audi weren't even there as far as I can tell.
- The number of people trying to film the hillclimb on their phones these days. You've got a tiny image sensor and no real lens - all you're doing is blocking everyone else's view, because you sure as hell aren't going to get a decent picture of the hillclimb with a smartphone. There's a reason photographers throw thousands at their kit. It also lead to a lot of jostling as people didn't have the manners to say 'excuse me' or similar.
- The supercar paddock - when they were bringing the cars back in, everyone was blocked from entering the paddock. This is in contrast to the general paddock, where the priceless historic cars worth 10x as much have to fight their way through crowds to get back to their awnings. No need to block people from walking around the (relatively) cheap cars.
- Leaving the event was a mess. The field had ONE exit for several hundred cars, at which traffic was regularly stopped to let opposing traffic cross. It took me about 30 minutes to escape, and I was near the front of the queue. Idiots in their gaudy Range Rovers cut in line at every opportunity, knowing that their size would let them get away with it.
- I can't put my finger on what it was, but there was definitely more of an air of exclusivity this year. Not a good sign, but it does seem to be the way that the event is going. Back when I first went in the early 2000s, the event was much more welcoming of everyone, regardless of background. These days, you can almost feel the tweed brigade trying to wish you away.
- The variety was a little lacking this year - not enough to be a major issue, but if it slips any further then it would pose a problem.
- Food stands were overpriced as always, but that's not their fault when they're charged so much for the space. It's typical of an event like this.
- The Rally Stage was a bit dull from what I saw of it - nobody seemed to want to keep their car on stage, so there were constant stoppages. You'd be lucky to see more than 4 or 5 cars go by before a 15-20 minute break. This may have just been poor timing on my part though.
I did all 4 days as I usually do, 3 days by myself to do and go where I want and one day with the family. Enjoyed every day.
The weather does play a massive part in any outdoor event, but there is nothing anyone can do about that, not even Lord March. Lucky enough it didn't last all day, but did make a mess of the grass/walkways.
Couple of things I did notice :-
1. Didn't seem as many Manufacturer in the moving motor show, leaving a big gap in the middle, or was that left empty for the GAS Display ?.
2. Mercedes stand seemed half the size it normally is with only a few cars to look at.
Best stand had to be the Honda one, lot of effort into the Fisher Price look. Vauxhall also deserve a mention for all the family stuff they laid on. The Porsche stand is also much improved with the bigger viewing platform to watch the Cayennes spin around the field.
Seemed to be a big improvement in getting out of car park A. Took me about 10 mins each time where in previous years, it's been best part of an hour. Although New Road was closed in getting there, so I was directed via Singleton.
Regarding the corporate thing and the people that attracts, lets not forget that the FoS is now the big event for car companies to showcase their existing and new models, so they will invite existing/future customers and in some cases there is a dress code. There is in the GRRC Kinrara, so you will see people dressed up on the day.
Highlight of the weekend was seeing Martin Brundle driving Jensons winning Brawn F1 car. Roll on 2017 FoS.
The weather does play a massive part in any outdoor event, but there is nothing anyone can do about that, not even Lord March. Lucky enough it didn't last all day, but did make a mess of the grass/walkways.
Couple of things I did notice :-
1. Didn't seem as many Manufacturer in the moving motor show, leaving a big gap in the middle, or was that left empty for the GAS Display ?.
2. Mercedes stand seemed half the size it normally is with only a few cars to look at.
Best stand had to be the Honda one, lot of effort into the Fisher Price look. Vauxhall also deserve a mention for all the family stuff they laid on. The Porsche stand is also much improved with the bigger viewing platform to watch the Cayennes spin around the field.
Seemed to be a big improvement in getting out of car park A. Took me about 10 mins each time where in previous years, it's been best part of an hour. Although New Road was closed in getting there, so I was directed via Singleton.
Regarding the corporate thing and the people that attracts, lets not forget that the FoS is now the big event for car companies to showcase their existing and new models, so they will invite existing/future customers and in some cases there is a dress code. There is in the GRRC Kinrara, so you will see people dressed up on the day.
Highlight of the weekend was seeing Martin Brundle driving Jensons winning Brawn F1 car. Roll on 2017 FoS.
[quote=benjj]Speaking as an exhibitor:
The mix of people seemed the same as always, no changes there really. Also the same goes for the thieves.
quote]
The event certainly now attracts an increasing number of a certain demographic who seek out crowds for what can be 'obtained' free, be that your wallet or as our exhibitor friend anything that is not tied down.
Last year was the last year I attended & would not attend another but even then I made sure my camera, wallet & cash were not on display AND wore a cheap watch.
This is in 100% contrast to the first few years of the event.
Taking your own food & drink would cut the cost but hardly contributes to making the day a bit special.
Think fun fairs, horse fairs, CentreParcs & Butlins with a whiff of exhaust fumes - oh my how Goodwood has cocked up & gone down the hill not up it.
NO blame can be attributed to the weather & road accidents but almost everything else can.
The mix of people seemed the same as always, no changes there really. Also the same goes for the thieves.
quote]
The event certainly now attracts an increasing number of a certain demographic who seek out crowds for what can be 'obtained' free, be that your wallet or as our exhibitor friend anything that is not tied down.
Last year was the last year I attended & would not attend another but even then I made sure my camera, wallet & cash were not on display AND wore a cheap watch.
This is in 100% contrast to the first few years of the event.
Taking your own food & drink would cut the cost but hardly contributes to making the day a bit special.
Think fun fairs, horse fairs, CentreParcs & Butlins with a whiff of exhaust fumes - oh my how Goodwood has cocked up & gone down the hill not up it.
NO blame can be attributed to the weather & road accidents but almost everything else can.
Indeed, special to me is seeing/hearing BGP001 being driven up the hill amongst many other wonderful moments, if I'm stood in mud eating my homemade sandwiches and drinking my bottle of Tesco water then so be it, I couldn't care less.
Having the supercar paddock virtually to myself at 7am on Friday, spending much of the day at the top of the hill (again, pretty much alone) is one of the highlights of my year. I don't need enclosure access, champagne and caviar to make the sound of a Porsche GT1 a little more special.
Having the supercar paddock virtually to myself at 7am on Friday, spending much of the day at the top of the hill (again, pretty much alone) is one of the highlights of my year. I don't need enclosure access, champagne and caviar to make the sound of a Porsche GT1 a little more special.
I went for the first time this year. I'm surprised at people saying they were underwhelmed - I loved it and will definitely be back next year and hopefully for the Revival too!
I can't really comment on the cost as I got a free ticket, but I don't think it's too expensive for the size of the event. I would have happily paid face value for a ticket to attend. Beer / food etc is expensive but it's to be expected at somewhere like that. It's cheaper than it is at F1!
Saturday was a bit annoying with the rain, but no one could do anything about it so just have to get on with it. The worst bit for me was I am on crutches at the moment and the aluminium panels they put down for walkways became a bit slippy in the wet. Being able to get that close to so many fantastic cars/bikes was brilliant though.
Highlight for me was being in the driver's club, sat on the table next to Giacomo Agostini! Also seeing Kevin Schwantz's RGV500 going up the hill, and seeing the 205 T16 up close was brilliant. Can't wait for next year!
I can't really comment on the cost as I got a free ticket, but I don't think it's too expensive for the size of the event. I would have happily paid face value for a ticket to attend. Beer / food etc is expensive but it's to be expected at somewhere like that. It's cheaper than it is at F1!
Saturday was a bit annoying with the rain, but no one could do anything about it so just have to get on with it. The worst bit for me was I am on crutches at the moment and the aluminium panels they put down for walkways became a bit slippy in the wet. Being able to get that close to so many fantastic cars/bikes was brilliant though.
Highlight for me was being in the driver's club, sat on the table next to Giacomo Agostini! Also seeing Kevin Schwantz's RGV500 going up the hill, and seeing the 205 T16 up close was brilliant. Can't wait for next year!
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