General FoS 2017 Thoughts/Reviews Thread
Discussion
Haven't been since 2013 when I had free tickets from Skoda for their new Octavia vRS launch. I enjoyed it then but echo what lots are still saying now where I'll give it a few years before I go back again as by the sounds of it not much has changed. Still expensive for food, still packed on a Saturday and hard work to get out. What is good is how close you do get to race cars and get to sit in exotic cars you never normally would. They started Senna's Lotus and we were right next to it, something I'll never forget. Didn't see that many famous faces walking round though and all seem away from the general public.
I'll try to go next year but tickets if you pay for them are getting a bit much to get doing every year and to do multiple days. One day is enough if you are there early enough to get and see everything. Two days if you want to watch more of the cars going up the hill.
I'll try to go next year but tickets if you pay for them are getting a bit much to get doing every year and to do multiple days. One day is enough if you are there early enough to get and see everything. Two days if you want to watch more of the cars going up the hill.
I went on Saturday , I thought it was excellent after last years wash out (Gone every year since 2012)
No problems getting in (Left for Goodwood at 6 O clock , arrived at 7:15 , drove straight in , no queues)
Saw plenty of machines i have never seen before , Spoke to plenty of people who let me sit in the cars (The Black Badge Rollers were something else!)
Managed to get good trackside spots even though we don't buy grandstand tickets.
Only nitpicks would be , No Bikes at FOS stand and most of the Trade stalls have nothing to do with cars anymore....
Other than that , Awesome show! A relief to have good weather after last year.
No problems getting in (Left for Goodwood at 6 O clock , arrived at 7:15 , drove straight in , no queues)
Saw plenty of machines i have never seen before , Spoke to plenty of people who let me sit in the cars (The Black Badge Rollers were something else!)
Managed to get good trackside spots even though we don't buy grandstand tickets.
Only nitpicks would be , No Bikes at FOS stand and most of the Trade stalls have nothing to do with cars anymore....
Other than that , Awesome show! A relief to have good weather after last year.
Edited by FIREBIRDC9 on Monday 3rd July 11:38
Otispunkmeyer said:
will_ said:
Another great FoS - it is a world-class event and I consider myself lucky to have it an hour away. Incredible selection of cars and if you know your way around it's relatively easy to avoid queues and get a good view. Buying food on-site is entirely voluntary, I've never done it.
Only marred by some chump in a Saxo policing the two-lane exit towards the race-course - it's two lanes for a reason you muppet, learn what "merge in turn" means!
No one in this country understands merge in turn. They're too thick to get it and just think of it as a chance for others to push in the "queue". Hence all the arsey driving and desperate closing of gaps.Only marred by some chump in a Saxo policing the two-lane exit towards the race-course - it's two lanes for a reason you muppet, learn what "merge in turn" means!
Dim f
kers.I bided my time and, when the opportunity arose, darted into the gap he had left whilst blocking me, leaving him stranded in the outside lane - so he had the unfortunate choice of having to drop behind me, or do exactly what he was trying to stop me doing and push into "the queue" in front from the outside lane. He chose the latter - what a plank.
I went yesterday and will echo others in regards to the shrinking number of manufactuers. No Toyota, Skoda, Tesla, the BMW stand only held about 4 cars despite being three floors (two for cars)
The Marshalls were generally good, bar one who whilst I was watching the shootout wouldn't let anyone from our side cross whilst the other side was able to cross....close both sides or keep them open!
I think this is the first year that I've not bothered with the F1 paddock as, aside from Rosberg and Chandock (neither now current F1) there was a lack of current star names
The Marshalls were generally good, bar one who whilst I was watching the shootout wouldn't let anyone from our side cross whilst the other side was able to cross....close both sides or keep them open!
I think this is the first year that I've not bothered with the F1 paddock as, aside from Rosberg and Chandock (neither now current F1) there was a lack of current star names
Last time we went was a few years ago. We went again last Friday. Left at 4:30am to arrive at Goodwood at 7:00am. No queue, drove straight in. No queue at entrance gate or bag search in the car park we were in. Our bag was "searched", well opened. Everything in it was inside a carrier bag. This wasn't opened so didn't really see the point but it only took a few seconds so no issue if it makes them feel happier.
Spotted a sign saying tickets to be checked on the way out too so luckily didn't bin them. Whats that all about? If you had binned them would they really not let you out?
Walked around paddocks for an hour or maybe two, no crowds, watched the beast of Turin being started, saw the bikes leaving the pits for their first run of the day.
Got straight on a tractor to the rally stage, walked around the cars, had a cup of tea, got front row by the top of the hillclimb to see the arrival of the bikes and stayed for the drift cars who put on a good show.
Walked down through the forest, around the inside of the rally stage over the bridge, saw a few runs. Mooched back down the hill to see the offroading and some more of the hillclimb. Wandered around most of the exhibitor stands, sat in the new Giulia (want one but in estate version so wont be able to have one). Watched the GAS show - too much chatting but the stunts were pretty impressive. We stood with Dougie Lampkin while we waited for the power outtage to be fixed who seems like a thoroughly nice bloke and him and the other trials rider put on an impromptu flat ground display of tricks.
Wandered back to the paddocks, the supercar paddock had got quite busy by then and we thought we would walk back up to the F1 paddock but as we did so the whole front of the house was blocked off by ferraris and a lot of people (not really wanting to watch the ferraris but just move across in front of the house) so we couldn't get to where we wanted to.
We had to be home by 7pm so left about 4pm to do battle with the M25. No queue to leave and a result - sat nav said no M25 so had a pleasant journey up the A34 instead.
All in all a good day, thoroughly enjoyed it. We didn't see everything but were impressed with some organisation (parking/getting in etc etc) but seemed like there wasn't as much going on (even though there probably was). We only go very few years so it doesn't become stagnant like I imagine it would if you went every year and we appreciate each time we go that little improvements are being made, like a bridge to the inside of the rally circuit, free wifi across the whole of the site etc etc.
We'll definitely be back as we still enjoy it.
Spotted a sign saying tickets to be checked on the way out too so luckily didn't bin them. Whats that all about? If you had binned them would they really not let you out?
Walked around paddocks for an hour or maybe two, no crowds, watched the beast of Turin being started, saw the bikes leaving the pits for their first run of the day.
Got straight on a tractor to the rally stage, walked around the cars, had a cup of tea, got front row by the top of the hillclimb to see the arrival of the bikes and stayed for the drift cars who put on a good show.
Walked down through the forest, around the inside of the rally stage over the bridge, saw a few runs. Mooched back down the hill to see the offroading and some more of the hillclimb. Wandered around most of the exhibitor stands, sat in the new Giulia (want one but in estate version so wont be able to have one). Watched the GAS show - too much chatting but the stunts were pretty impressive. We stood with Dougie Lampkin while we waited for the power outtage to be fixed who seems like a thoroughly nice bloke and him and the other trials rider put on an impromptu flat ground display of tricks.
Wandered back to the paddocks, the supercar paddock had got quite busy by then and we thought we would walk back up to the F1 paddock but as we did so the whole front of the house was blocked off by ferraris and a lot of people (not really wanting to watch the ferraris but just move across in front of the house) so we couldn't get to where we wanted to.
We had to be home by 7pm so left about 4pm to do battle with the M25. No queue to leave and a result - sat nav said no M25 so had a pleasant journey up the A34 instead.
All in all a good day, thoroughly enjoyed it. We didn't see everything but were impressed with some organisation (parking/getting in etc etc) but seemed like there wasn't as much going on (even though there probably was). We only go very few years so it doesn't become stagnant like I imagine it would if you went every year and we appreciate each time we go that little improvements are being made, like a bridge to the inside of the rally circuit, free wifi across the whole of the site etc etc.
We'll definitely be back as we still enjoy it.
Edited by chrisga on Monday 3rd July 08:44
Went yesterday with my son and had a great time, however I think that the glorious sunshine played a part in the enjoyment!
We arrived around 11am and just sailed straight into the public car-park with no queues..
I had not been to FOS for a number of years and purchased an admission/grandstand tickets, which I think were quite expensive, especially considering that getting a seat in some of the grandstands was pretty impossible in some areas and pretty tight seats - £130 a pop you should get a little more for the money..
I do think the facilities like toilets, seating areas, food etc were very good. These elements generally let big car shows down, so glad they got it right...
Will defo be back next year..
G
We arrived around 11am and just sailed straight into the public car-park with no queues..
I had not been to FOS for a number of years and purchased an admission/grandstand tickets, which I think were quite expensive, especially considering that getting a seat in some of the grandstands was pretty impossible in some areas and pretty tight seats - £130 a pop you should get a little more for the money..
I do think the facilities like toilets, seating areas, food etc were very good. These elements generally let big car shows down, so glad they got it right...
Will defo be back next year..
G
thecremeegg said:
I didn't go but a lot of people have said it seemed quieter - do we think they've listened and reduced the number of tickets sold?
Definately quieter, significantly so from the past few years. Maybe expanding Thursday into a an-almost proper FoS day helped spread the load?Was there on the Sunday and really enjoyed it...
Great cars to look at. All the paddock guys were happy to chat.. To have the ability to get up close and personal to historic, priceless cars is amazing.. For me, the paddock was the best bit.. The hill climb was okay (next yr I'll have a grandstand ticket for a better view), corporate stands are okay but a bit dull...
No issue with overpriced food as I took my own... My only criticism would be that buying water/cold drinks wasn't easy.. Ice cream vendors sold out early and the catering stands had long queues...
Anyway, I'll be back in 12 months for 2018....
Great cars to look at. All the paddock guys were happy to chat.. To have the ability to get up close and personal to historic, priceless cars is amazing.. For me, the paddock was the best bit.. The hill climb was okay (next yr I'll have a grandstand ticket for a better view), corporate stands are okay but a bit dull...
No issue with overpriced food as I took my own... My only criticism would be that buying water/cold drinks wasn't easy.. Ice cream vendors sold out early and the catering stands had long queues...
Anyway, I'll be back in 12 months for 2018....
It was my first visit this year, we went on the Saturday and really enjoyed it.
Stay at a campsite 5 miles away, it still took us about 40mins to get in at 7am which was a bit of a surprise.
Luckily we got to look around the most of the manufacturer stands before they got too busy.
If I were to go again the only thing I would differently is get a grandstand ticket as we found places to look over the hill climb a little restrictive.
Overall a really good day out, the land rover driving experience looked impressive, not enough that i wanted to queue for an 90 mins to get a go though!
Stay at a campsite 5 miles away, it still took us about 40mins to get in at 7am which was a bit of a surprise.
Luckily we got to look around the most of the manufacturer stands before they got too busy.
If I were to go again the only thing I would differently is get a grandstand ticket as we found places to look over the hill climb a little restrictive.
Overall a really good day out, the land rover driving experience looked impressive, not enough that i wanted to queue for an 90 mins to get a go though!
It felt different this year and I can't quite put my finger on why. Less f1 cars and bikes but more variety in nascar/sports cars. Rally stage was good on Sunday needs a few more modern cars possibly. Really enjoyed Britcar off road area not just passenger rides but those guys tearing around the course was great. Not really a drift fan but have enjoyed their inclusion for last few years! Gas show good as ever! Think I spent more time away from trackside this year.
Got friend in f1 paddock on Saturday said it seemed a lot quieter this year. I managed to find a viewing spot whenever I wanted to.would give it 8 out of 10
Got friend in f1 paddock on Saturday said it seemed a lot quieter this year. I managed to find a viewing spot whenever I wanted to.would give it 8 out of 10
My second visit and it seemed like a lot less than last year even though the weather was perfect. Less drift cars, no time attack cars, no rallycross, non existent btcc bar a couple plus the absence of the funny car and Mazda 787. A lot more static stuff with the Ferrari's but you can go to the haynes motor museum for that.
Rally stage was as good as ever. Can really get close to the cars and have a poke plus it was really dry so the cars were really on it. Skoda Octavia and mad mikes stadium truck were the highlight.
Positive for me was the Vauxhall stand which keeps getting better. Taking my 9 year old daughter and her friend they really loved it. Especially the new Insignia Estate with the secret stash of skittle decanters in the boot
Was such a surreal experience walking through the bustling trade stands and seeing a multi million pound Mclaren F1 just sitting there in touching distance all opened up.
Also only at Goodwood do you have fireworks in the day time just because you can
.
Note to myself next year to miss the M25. I took a gamble this year but it was just as bad as last.
Rally stage was as good as ever. Can really get close to the cars and have a poke plus it was really dry so the cars were really on it. Skoda Octavia and mad mikes stadium truck were the highlight.
Positive for me was the Vauxhall stand which keeps getting better. Taking my 9 year old daughter and her friend they really loved it. Especially the new Insignia Estate with the secret stash of skittle decanters in the boot
Was such a surreal experience walking through the bustling trade stands and seeing a multi million pound Mclaren F1 just sitting there in touching distance all opened up.
Also only at Goodwood do you have fireworks in the day time just because you can
.Note to myself next year to miss the M25. I took a gamble this year but it was just as bad as last.
Edited by BricktopST205 on Monday 3rd July 09:52
I’ve been attending FOS on and off for over 20years and a GRRC member, here’s my thoughts:
Thursday arrived at 0730ish no issues straight in to the car park (surprised it wasn’t one way and 2 lanes on the surrounding roads but if memory serves me right the Thursday has never had this luxury) .
I then joined a line for 55 minutes to have my bag searched (well I searched my own bag as security didn’t seem to be interested).
The Kinara enclosure was the best I’ve seen although the catering staff didn’t have a clue and so lost business for breakfast, so we just had drinks.
The event lacked a lot of big manufacturers as has already been mentioned and freebies seemed to be on the decline which for some may be an issue especially those with younger families. Whilst I know some only go for the cars I do like to look around the stalls but again as has been mentioned the lack of motoring content was quite obvious. And a lack of motoring magazines. (I did see a tent for motorsport magazine but it was closed).
It was great to have some proper runs up the hill and I will certainly be in attendance next year on the Thursday.
Due to a yacht race I then had to miss Friday and Saturday and took a friend on Sunday, it was his first FOS despite living 30min away and being a big petrol head.
We arrived near Chichester Sainsbury’s around 0645 and again single file traffic which surprised me. Normally it’s 2 lanes one way? Traffic wasn’t moving so a quick U turn and down a rat run I know only to beat the police bikes that had passed me in traffic. And once clear of that queue we were straight in. Bag checks on Sunday (and I believe the rest of the weekend) were random so I sailed in so well done to Goodwood for sorting this out, “security is not a dirty word” as I’m often told but nearly an hour wait is not acceptable.
A great day and the weather certainly helped, almost to hot perhaps! My friend is a BMW owner (I need to choose better friends) so we got to use their owners lounge which was brilliant, free hot drinks and water and a nice couple of floors to relax on so we made the most of watching the F1 cars from the roof.
We managed to see Robert Kubica, Nick Heidfeld and Nico Rosberg for the more recent names alongside a whole host of historic drivers. Although I’d rather see the cars than big names.
My friend has already stated he wants to go again next year so I’ll drag him along for more tea at BMW.
The negatives of Sunday:
The bars appeared to have run out of most drink by midday on Sunday, in fact even getting a soft drink from vendors was incredibly hard as they had all run out.
Churros, now I’m a man with a sweet tooth and so on hearing the issues of a previous poster about churros I was looking forward to something sweet on Sunday. I walked past the stall around 1700 on Sunday I wanted a soft drink and some churros. There appeared to be a wait for the churros so I joined the people who had ordered.
10 minutes wasted waiting for the staff to take my order (or anyone else’s that had joined the line) they were so disorganised considering they’d been doing it for 4 days! And the girl making churros she looked like she didn’t even want to be there and clearly no understanding that customers are waiting. So after no one taking my order and on hearing they had no soft drinks I walked on by.
Between breakfast on Thursday and drinks and churros on Sunday I think Goodwood probably lost out on £50/60 from my pocket.
So overall a great FOS if they can rectify their catering issues for the revival and next year I’ll be a happy man.
Thursday arrived at 0730ish no issues straight in to the car park (surprised it wasn’t one way and 2 lanes on the surrounding roads but if memory serves me right the Thursday has never had this luxury) .
I then joined a line for 55 minutes to have my bag searched (well I searched my own bag as security didn’t seem to be interested).
The Kinara enclosure was the best I’ve seen although the catering staff didn’t have a clue and so lost business for breakfast, so we just had drinks.
The event lacked a lot of big manufacturers as has already been mentioned and freebies seemed to be on the decline which for some may be an issue especially those with younger families. Whilst I know some only go for the cars I do like to look around the stalls but again as has been mentioned the lack of motoring content was quite obvious. And a lack of motoring magazines. (I did see a tent for motorsport magazine but it was closed).
It was great to have some proper runs up the hill and I will certainly be in attendance next year on the Thursday.
Due to a yacht race I then had to miss Friday and Saturday and took a friend on Sunday, it was his first FOS despite living 30min away and being a big petrol head.
We arrived near Chichester Sainsbury’s around 0645 and again single file traffic which surprised me. Normally it’s 2 lanes one way? Traffic wasn’t moving so a quick U turn and down a rat run I know only to beat the police bikes that had passed me in traffic. And once clear of that queue we were straight in. Bag checks on Sunday (and I believe the rest of the weekend) were random so I sailed in so well done to Goodwood for sorting this out, “security is not a dirty word” as I’m often told but nearly an hour wait is not acceptable.
A great day and the weather certainly helped, almost to hot perhaps! My friend is a BMW owner (I need to choose better friends) so we got to use their owners lounge which was brilliant, free hot drinks and water and a nice couple of floors to relax on so we made the most of watching the F1 cars from the roof.
We managed to see Robert Kubica, Nick Heidfeld and Nico Rosberg for the more recent names alongside a whole host of historic drivers. Although I’d rather see the cars than big names.
My friend has already stated he wants to go again next year so I’ll drag him along for more tea at BMW.
The negatives of Sunday:
The bars appeared to have run out of most drink by midday on Sunday, in fact even getting a soft drink from vendors was incredibly hard as they had all run out.
Churros, now I’m a man with a sweet tooth and so on hearing the issues of a previous poster about churros I was looking forward to something sweet on Sunday. I walked past the stall around 1700 on Sunday I wanted a soft drink and some churros. There appeared to be a wait for the churros so I joined the people who had ordered.
10 minutes wasted waiting for the staff to take my order (or anyone else’s that had joined the line) they were so disorganised considering they’d been doing it for 4 days! And the girl making churros she looked like she didn’t even want to be there and clearly no understanding that customers are waiting. So after no one taking my order and on hearing they had no soft drinks I walked on by.
Between breakfast on Thursday and drinks and churros on Sunday I think Goodwood probably lost out on £50/60 from my pocket.
So overall a great FOS if they can rectify their catering issues for the revival and next year I’ll be a happy man.
BricktopST205 said:
My second visit and it seemed like a lot less than last year even though the weather was perfect. Less drift cars, no time attack cars, no rallycross, non existent btcc bar a couple plus the absence of the funny car and Mazda 787. A lot more static stuff with the Ferrari's but you can go to the haynes motor museum for that.
there was a whole class for rallycross? James Grint in his modern car, and Pat Doran in his RS200 to name a couple off the top of my head. BricktopST205 said:
...Was such a surreal experience walking through the bustling trade stands and seeing a multi million pound Mclaren F1 just sitting there in touching distance all opened up.....
If you are taking about the orange car on the Total Headturners stand, that's a (v. poor quality) reproduction.Edited by BricktopST205 on Monday 3rd July 09:52
WhyOne said:
BricktopST205 said:
...Was such a surreal experience walking through the bustling trade stands and seeing a multi million pound Mclaren F1 just sitting there in touching distance all opened up.....
If you are taking about the orange car on the Total Headturners stand, that's a (v. poor quality) reproduction.Edited by BricktopST205 on Monday 3rd July 09:52
Interestingly there was an original on the McLaren stand (XP5) and F1 Joy in the Cartier lawn and on my drive home through East Lavant towards West Broyle I passed another Blue F1 parked up with the door open in a lay-by.
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