Discussion
1st time there with a mate and our 2 lads and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. Glad we went for both Sat and Sunday as there's a lot to see!
On the whole I didn't think it overcrowded, and could generally find somewhere where we could all see the runs up and down the hill, also other attendees attitude to kids was great and where we were stood 2 or 3 deep at the edges people would beckon our lads through to the front so they could see which was great for them and us.
Highlights were watching Bottas doing doughnuts right in front of us yesterday, and then I've never seen my son jump so high as when the FXX-K pulled up right next to us as the supercars lined up to go onto the circuit and revved its engine
Like others I was less than impressed with the scrawls in dust on very expensive cars in the performance parking area, something I was mulling over beforehand and with hindsight glad I didn't bother (although mine would have gained zero attention compared to the majority of cars in there).
All I need to do now is find a classic American muscle car event as my son loved the old Mustangs we saw and a beautiful Corvette Stingray in the car park. And even after sitting in the likes of the new DBS he still preferred the rusty old Bullitt
On the whole I didn't think it overcrowded, and could generally find somewhere where we could all see the runs up and down the hill, also other attendees attitude to kids was great and where we were stood 2 or 3 deep at the edges people would beckon our lads through to the front so they could see which was great for them and us.
Highlights were watching Bottas doing doughnuts right in front of us yesterday, and then I've never seen my son jump so high as when the FXX-K pulled up right next to us as the supercars lined up to go onto the circuit and revved its engine
Like others I was less than impressed with the scrawls in dust on very expensive cars in the performance parking area, something I was mulling over beforehand and with hindsight glad I didn't bother (although mine would have gained zero attention compared to the majority of cars in there).
All I need to do now is find a classic American muscle car event as my son loved the old Mustangs we saw and a beautiful Corvette Stingray in the car park. And even after sitting in the likes of the new DBS he still preferred the rusty old Bullitt
I'm not sure it is as bad as some are making it out to be. I went on Friday, and had a good day. I missed the last 2 years and found some things better, some things worse.
I thought the food and beers we had were actually pretty good/well (read not insanely) priced. I'm sure its more expensive at regular Goodwood events? Could be wrong, but I paid 4.50 for a bacon roll that was fantastic. Beers are not cheap, but cheaper than LM24 and better
I also have to say the Drift team were the best show, and on the Friday were definitely the only people really giving it a go on the hill. Love or hate what they do, but one has to admire the skill.
Some things did feel like a bit weak compared to previous years. For instance previously Toyota display over the house eclipsed what Porsche did this year IMHO. Lampkin also had a full on ride through the house before ending up on the roof, where this year he was only on the roof for two minutes. (Apologies if there was more involvement, but I only saw this stuff). The Rally paddock was great, but lacking stuff I've seen in previous years (like Lancia S4s and the like in operation). But the stunt team were great this year!
The one gripe I had was the Clicquot areas getting the best spots with the best views, filled generally by people not watching anything besides what handbags others were carrying. Serves me right for not buying a grandstand pass I guess, but there is a bit of a viewership issue around the track (I'm tall, and still struggled).
I love the FOS. It is a bucket list item for people that have not been. I'm not sure it's worth going every year, but to be fair what could possibly be a better day out anyway.
I thought the food and beers we had were actually pretty good/well (read not insanely) priced. I'm sure its more expensive at regular Goodwood events? Could be wrong, but I paid 4.50 for a bacon roll that was fantastic. Beers are not cheap, but cheaper than LM24 and better
I also have to say the Drift team were the best show, and on the Friday were definitely the only people really giving it a go on the hill. Love or hate what they do, but one has to admire the skill.
Some things did feel like a bit weak compared to previous years. For instance previously Toyota display over the house eclipsed what Porsche did this year IMHO. Lampkin also had a full on ride through the house before ending up on the roof, where this year he was only on the roof for two minutes. (Apologies if there was more involvement, but I only saw this stuff). The Rally paddock was great, but lacking stuff I've seen in previous years (like Lancia S4s and the like in operation). But the stunt team were great this year!
The one gripe I had was the Clicquot areas getting the best spots with the best views, filled generally by people not watching anything besides what handbags others were carrying. Serves me right for not buying a grandstand pass I guess, but there is a bit of a viewership issue around the track (I'm tall, and still struggled).
I love the FOS. It is a bucket list item for people that have not been. I'm not sure it's worth going every year, but to be fair what could possibly be a better day out anyway.
Killboy said:
The one gripe I had was the Clicquot areas getting the best spots with the best views, filled generally by people not watching anything besides what handbags others were carrying. Serves me right for not buying a grandstand pass I guess, but there is a bit of a viewership issue around the track (I'm tall, and still struggled).
That’s been an issue for the past 3 or 4 years now. Spectator numbers vs. square footage of viewing area along the track must be the worst ratio of any motorsport event, it really is terrible. There are a few specific gripes that I wrote to them about 3 years in a row but have now given up on, as they’ve shown zero interest in resolving them…1) Hill on the house side is completely devoid of information (or viewing areas) as you travel further up beyond the paddock. Year after year I see hundreds of people walking up only to hit a dead end and turn back down again. On Friday loads walking down were kindly informing those coming up that there is nothing to see. Such an easy fix for Goodwood but no interest at all in doing so. There used to be a large viewing area on that side at the top, but that’s been closed off for around 3 years.
2) Crossing points. The marshals were very apologetic to the many that waited nearly 90 minutes to cross at point 8/9 on the house side on Friday afternoon. It’s easy to say walk (all the way) down and cross the bridge, but when you’re hot and knackered it’s tempting to wait just in case they open ‘soon’. Related to point 1, it’s a dead end and there is basically no viewing either, so you really are walking into nothingness. A second bridge further up would spread the congestion, get more people further up the hill (where it’s always relatively quiet) and solve the huge wait or long walk you get further up.
3) They are unbelievably cautious with opening crossing points. Friday morning was pretty terrible for action (they were an hour behind by 11am), understandable when cars crash/break down but zero action for 30 minutes yet not opening the crossing point...?
I attended RIAT yesterday, within 12 hours I received a survey (as I do every year) asking for my thoughts. They seem to act on anything within their control that there is a realistic and affordable fix to. Goodwood? I honestly can’t recall a single improvement they’ve made for the average paying punter in the 11 years I’ve been attending, just squeezed us out for more hospitality space.
I should say I love the event and had an incredible day, so it’s not a moan for moanings sake.
Edited by ukaskew on Monday 16th July 18:53
A couple of things...
Yes, 'they' are cautious when opening the crossing points, mainly it's the closing that's the problem. People want to 'just nip across', it must be like herding cats for those controlling the crossings.
And.....
How can nobody other than me think that 'Jet Pack Man' was the coolest guy there!!! Having had him setting up next to us at the Crossroads I have to say there is no way I would have stood near the thing let alone being strapped into it!
Yes, 'they' are cautious when opening the crossing points, mainly it's the closing that's the problem. People want to 'just nip across', it must be like herding cats for those controlling the crossings.
And.....
How can nobody other than me think that 'Jet Pack Man' was the coolest guy there!!! Having had him setting up next to us at the Crossroads I have to say there is no way I would have stood near the thing let alone being strapped into it!
Nik da Greek said:
Feeling rage just looking at that.... and not just cos of the desecrated F40; put a goddamned shirt on, man. Show some bloody decorum, it's not feeding time at Iceland! The worst thing about this otherwise beautiful summer is the number of fat, disgusting freaks waddling around semi-dressed. Cover yourselves, mutants. Seriously, unless you're David Gandy, you're gonna look better with as much of you hidden as possible 
[/rant]
There's a whiff of Riff Raff, envy, Disneyworld & CentreParcs in that picture & accompanying comments. [/rant]According to a magazine article some years ago FoS & Revival had contributed to the Goodwood Estate moving into profit so what is witnessed at these events is the price paid, pun intended. Perhaps we should be glad it didn't become something awful & REALLY Disney-like such as Longleat.
I went for the first time on Saturday with my dad, having been wanting to go for a long time but never been able to afford it. I absolutely loved every second of it! (Apart from the heat, I’m not a sun worshipper and struggled with the sun!) the noise, smell, sights it was everything I’d hoped it would be. If this show is getting worse each year, I wish I’d seen it ‘back in the day’. My regret is that I didn’t book 2 days as I badly planned the day and ended up missing a few batches of runs up the hill on both occasions, but a wonderful day out, arrived at 6:30am and left at 7pm and have annoyed the hell out of everyone at work today telling them all about it! 10/10 would attend again
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