Tuesday 26th June 2012

Goodwood Festival: nearly here!

It's FOS time again - so what's on at Goodwood in 2012?

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Well it's that time of year again, folks - the Goodwood Festival of Speed is here this weekend. So as the 150,000 or so of us who plan to make the pilgrimage down to Chichester cross our fingers for good weather, we thought it was worth giving you a quick rundown of the FOS for 2012.

Lotus is this year's featured marque

As well as the usual mix of racing cars old and new, and no doubt some epic rally action on the woodland special stage, there will be plenty of new metal (and GRP, and carbon) to feast your eyes upon.

This year, this will include the debut of the working prototype of the Infiniti Emerg-E concept from the Geneva show, the UK debuts of the Alpine A110-50 and new BMW M6, and the world debut of the new Jaguar F-Type (well ,the prototype version, anyway...).

This year Lotus is also the featured marque, so expect of action on that front, as Colin Chapman's cars celebrate 60 years. Lotus will also celebrate 50 years of the iconic Elan, and will no doubt be looking to the future as well, despite its current troubles.

Alpine A110-50 will make its UK debut

Goodwood also has a particularly strong pull on the stars of the motorsport world, and this year's list of drivers (and riders) includes Sebastian Vettel, Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, Alain Prost, Nico Rosberg, Mark Webber, Kenny Roberts and James Toseland.

We aren't finished yet either, because doing their rallying thing will be: Juha Kankkunen, Bjorn Waldegard, Rauno Aaltonen, Jimmy McRae, Hannu Mikkola and Russell Brookes.

PH will be joining in the fun up Lord March's drive, too, so keep a look-out and cheer us on. you can see us at 17.40 on Saturday (Astra VXR), 09.25 on Sunday (E-Type), 12.30 on Sunday (Juke R) and 18.10 on Sunday (XKR-S) and you might spot a subtle PH smiley or two, if we've managed to sneak them on to any of the cars...

 

[Hellbound]

Wouldn't it be funny if Dany Bahar turned up with that Swizz fella...! =D

[C2james]

Really looking forward to this, doing all four days.

[jon-]

I'm there Saturday with Michelin, so probably see some people at the challenge. Might stay for Sunday, depends on the atmosphere

[FordJunkie]

Just doing the Sunday, but just the fix i need after a week in la sarthe.

[michaelg1001]

Myself and fellow PHer cjgreaves41 will be representing the AMRC on the Bloodhound SSC exhibit on Thursday and Friday, come and give us a shout!

[Stingercut]

First time potential FOS visitor here with the option to go either fri or sun. Which day would experienced PH members choose and briefly why ?



Thanks in advance

[Turbocharger]

My first year, I've polished the Elise specially so I can park it in a field with a thousand others.

I'm going on the Friday because a) it's cheaper, and b) should be less crowded.

[ALY77]

Heading down from Edinburgh to do Goodwood for the first time and sleep in a tent in a field for the first time. Its either going to be amazing or dross, weather dependent!

[Stingercut]

Thinking of Friday then. Just hoping its not going to be 3hrs of wheel spinning trying to escape a quagmire car park. I assume they have contingencies in place for British summer weather :0

[wackojacko]

Taking Mrs wackojacko on Friday, for my sake I hope it doesn't rain.

[Mostyn]

I'm doing all four days and it will be my first visit too. I've been wanting to go for several years.

I am fortunate enough to also have two SPARE tickets for the moving motor show on Thursday!

[PaulG40]

Be interesting to see the GT86 go up the hill!

[GTIAlex]

Heading down south on the Thursday and visiting FOS Friday and Saturday.

Didnt go last year but went the previous two, can't wait!

Just hope the weather holds, been so lucky previous years.

[dave87]

I'm there the Friday & Saturday - looking forward to it

[speedtwelve]

Stingercut said:

First time potential FOS visitor here with the option to go either fri or sun. Which day would experienced PH members choose and briefly why ?



Thanks in advance

Sunday. Friday hill runs can be a tad conservative; by the Sunday afternoon certain individuals will be going for fastest time of the weekend, and some of the last runs can be eye-wateringly lairy.

[C2james]

And nick hiedfeld I going back in his merc F1 car he set the record with which I'm relly looking forward to.

[silverback mike]

My lad and I are off there on Saturday

[TinyCappo]

I will be there Thursday ignoring most of the Motorshow thats going on and wandering around the paddocks watching owners act like excited kids at christmas as their prized 1970s f1 cars are brought back to life ready for friday. Nice super expectant excited atmosphere great for techy geeks like me.

Does anyone know if the Lotus T56B is going to be there this year? I need to get in touch with the owner as I now work for P&W specifically managing the PT6

[ThunderSpook]

Friday won't be any quieter than Sunday. As far as I'm aware they sell the same number of tickets for all 3 days now, and the Friday has been building in numbers for a few years now. If you want a quiet day the only day to go is Thursday. All others are very busy. Plenty of space though, the grounds are huge. Any day is a fantastic day out.

[TinyCappo]

I have Two spare tickets for the thursday if anyone wants them for the price of a bacon sandwich?