Thursday 21st March 2013

Glorious Goodwood: PH Blog

Behind the scenes at Goodwood's media day and a run up a hill in BMW's lovely M3 CSL

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In its 20 years the Goodwood Festival of Speed has evolved into a highly significant global event and an increasingly slick and corporate affair. But it's nice to know that behind the gloss at core it remains a slightly nerdy gathering for car geeks of all persuasions.

Transport to Goodwood chosen accordingly

All? OK, well-heeled ones. Where else would you, for instance, be directed to your car park and find, dumped in the corner amid regular road cars, trucks and transporters, a Ferrari 250 LM?

911-owning pal Ben - PH designated driver for the day - discovered the true meaning of Trent o'clock but kindly provided suitable transport for heading down to Lord March's gaff for a day celebrating 50 years of Porsche's signature model. Or a preview of a day celebrating 50 years of 911, the sculpture that'll be on the lawn outside Goodwood House in July still being under wraps, and in its place, a line-up of 911s and other significant cars from a suitably broad spectrum of motorsport.

The 911's 50th isn't the only birthday being celebrated this year, of course, so having dumped Ben's 997 in the car park with the 250 LM we shamelessly took advantage of BMW's offer of a drive in its M3 CSL. Hard to believe this car is celebrating its 10th birthday this year but who's to refuse an excuse to rag it up the hill past Lord March's house?

911 abandoned for the run up the hill though...

A drive up the hill on media day is a little more restricted than on Festival day itself, official instructions being to back off after Molecomb (the tricky left hander past the paddock) and trundle the rest of the way. Adherence to the nominal 40mph limit beyond this point was interpreted broadly, some slowing to the allotted speed by simply lighting up their rear tyres. Special mention in this category must go to the magnificent Tom Walkinshaw XJS V12 which, despite steamroller-width rear slicks, appeared to have no problem whatsoever breaking traction at every given opportunity. Thumbs up from the marshals on the way down indicated this was Probably OK.

It's a strange experience too, with classic 'hurry up and wait' bursts of frantic activity interspersed with lots of standing around. But when the latter involves waiting in a queue of traffic stuck behind Derek Bell in a Bentley or a McLaren 12C GT3 and stunned at the cars coming the other way to join the queue it's no hardship. Yes, that's Liam Doran in a Monster-liveried Rallycross Citroen, followed by a 1902 Renault with two Batmobile CSLs up ahead and a Silk Cut Jaguar XJR8 approaching. Madness. Wonderful, noisy, slightly chaotic madness.

Traffic is always a nightmare at Goodwood...

After a sighting run in a Mini JCW Works GP Ben returned slightly wide-eyed ("So sideways ... on the grass ... didn't slow down for the corners ...") from another beside Lotus chassis man Matt Becker in an Evora ready for our go in the CSL. Stationary in the queue he said the pared back interior reminded him of his old base spec E46 320d. And, once under way, that's where the similarity ended. I'm basically your worst nightmare as a passenger, sneakily turning everything off/up to 11 at the first opportunity, banging the dashboard, shouting "keep it nailed ... don't you dare shift up ... faster, FASTER!" as Ben wisely did his best to ignore me and concentrate on keeping the CSL pointing forwards and not having a very, very expensive excursion onto Lord March's lawn, packed as it was with priceless exotica. And that's no hyperbole either; the ex-Moss 250 SWB's recent sale for a reported £7m was small beer against the literally 'money couldn't buy' Mercedes 300SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe.

No shortage of tasty motors on the lawn

At the top of the hill it was a totally different world, rally drivers mixing with hill climbers in the queue for the bacon sarnie van and a much more egalitarian spirit than the glitz and glamour of Lord March's lawn.

Amid all this we got a flavour for what Goodwood has to offer for the coming year, including the aforementioned Porsche-themed Festival of Speed. With standalone races for the GT40 to celebrate 50 years since development began and a significant gathering of 250 LMs for a similar anniversary (no need to abandon them in the car park for this one) the Revival looks as appealing as ever. News that, amid the four-wheeled fun, there'll also be a celebration of 100 years of the Tour de France with retro-clothed and -equipped riders lapping the Goodwood track amid a suitable period support cavalcade of Citroen H vans has literally got Garlick trembling in his tweeds in anticipation too.

Business as usual at Goodwood then. But since when has that been a reason to complain.

Dan

[chazwozza]

Can we know more about that transit please...

[Mark Wibble]

Looks like the XJ220 development mule to me.

[TIGA84]

I assuming its the one Justin Law ragged up the hill a few years ago/been on Top Gear.

Its a Jag XJ220 essentially.

Look it up on YouTube.

[Kermit79]

Here's a little bit of footage taken from my Go Pro (HD but unstabilized!) of the event to give a feel for what was going on.

Walkaround :- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25Z402P2JFE

Couple of vids on my mobile of some of the action on the hill climb (in portrait I'm afraid but with pretty decent sound. Watch in HD: -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iCQaxByOo0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4bovQhbs3w

Overall good day, a little chilly, but free Tea and Coffee, food and Champagne, so can't complain! Lord March and the team do things the way things should be done.. I'm sure FOS and Revival will be fantastic as usual.

[Carnnoisseur]

I remember witnessing the said "Transit" for the first time at Goodwood a couple of years ago. Kept looking around trying to identify where that growl was coming from?? Up until this day, I still find it hard to fathom that it's running on an XJ220 platform. The ultimate "wolf in sheep's clothing".

Has to be seen to be believed!

[alftupper]

Was that Mark Hales driving the Gulf Porsche .

[vincegail]

Is that the original 1995 Le Mans winning McLaren or one looking like it?

[Kermit79]

vincegail said:

Is that the original 1995 Le Mans winning McLaren or one looking like it?

It was the Dalmas/Lehto/Sekiya Le Mans winning car yes. It is on my video (walkaround) link in my first post.

[161BMW]

Fantastic write up
Would love a go in that BMW M3 CSL :-)

[Tin Hat]

Great write up!

[marcosgt]

Kermit79 said:

It was the Dalmas/Lehto/Sekiya Le Mans winning car yes. It is on my video (walkaround) link in my first post.

Or is it...?

I believe there's an ongoing doubt that the car that does the rounds as the Le Mans winner is actually a different car and that Ron actually kept the real thing...

I'm simply repeating what I've heard, I'm not suggesting it is the case

M.

[chazwozza]

Thanks all for the info on the transit- definately a bucket list jobbie!

[Kermit79]

marcosgt said:

Kermit79 said:

It was the Dalmas/Lehto/Sekiya Le Mans winning car yes. It is on my video (walkaround) link in my first post.

Or is it...?

I believe there's an ongoing doubt that the car that does the rounds as the Le Mans winner is actually a different car and that Ron actually kept the real thing...

I'm simply repeating what I've heard, I'm not suggesting it is the case

M.

A subject for debate...... but Lord March has had a crack down on 'REAL' cars at the event, so would hazard a guess at it being the car. The only cars invited are the 'real deal', certainly on the historic side.

[Amizade]

Carnnoisseur said:

I remember witnessing the said "Transit" for the first time at Goodwood a couple of years ago. Kept looking around trying to identify where that growl was coming from?? Up until this day, I still find it hard to fathom that it's running on an XJ220 platform. The ultimate "wolf in sheep's clothing".

Has to be seen to be believed!

I very nearly got a lift back to the station in that from Don Law, but sadly it had some issues at the time.

I had a good look over the transit and the interior/cargo area is very Group C - especially with the V12 in the back. If I remember correctly, it was built for engine testing by Jaguar for XJR-9 engines.

I did ask for first dibs on this before it started being used at Goodwood, sadly he never got back to me !

Edited by Amizade on Thursday 21st March 14:07

[BlimeyCharlie]

There is a chap near me with a Transit on his lawn.
And a cement mixer.

He has been known to wear a vest too. He could stage his own 'Vestival'.

[Mermaid]

Nice pics.

[vincegail]

Nick Mason has the best numberplate of all. Nice car too.

[avhbi]

Awesome looks like my old car has been paraded out again. Who owns you now LYV 10D ??

[Civpilot]

Kermit79 said:

marcosgt said:

Kermit79 said:

It was the Dalmas/Lehto/Sekiya Le Mans winning car yes. It is on my video (walkaround) link in my first post.

Or is it...?

I believe there's an ongoing doubt that the car that does the rounds as the Le Mans winner is actually a different car and that Ron actually kept the real thing...

I'm simply repeating what I've heard, I'm not suggesting it is the case

M.

A subject for debate...... but Lord March has had a crack down on 'REAL' cars at the event, so would hazard a guess at it being the car. The only cars invited are the 'real deal', certainly on the historic side.

Seeing as McLaren actually only loaned/rented that car to the Uneo Clinic team so retained ownership after the race anyway. I would say that yes, that is 100% the real car (It usually sits in the trophy room in Woking I beleive?).

IIRC all the race cars had been sold by the time McLaren were approached by sponsor Uneo Clinic. As the owner of Uneo Clinic was a 'Friend' of McLaren and F1 owner once it was clear the sponsor money was forthcoming the original GTR test car was rebuilt and modified up to current race spec. The team was then assembled with assistance from McLaren using their own employees on loan, along with other experienced endurance racing engineers that were hired in (again using the sponsors money).

And seeing a Ron didn't actually sell the car he lucked out when that car won as it was the only car in the race still owned by McLaren (the rest of the GTR's were sold cars to privateers) and effectively it didn't cost them anything as it was paid for by the sponsors. Result (literally)

[LARK F1 GTR]

So much goodness there, wow just wow!!

I have no doubt that the number 59 Mclaren F1 is the real deal.

vincegail said:

Nick Mason has the best numberplate of all. Nice car too.

Which one is that? 250 GTO ?