Festival of speed first timer 2024
Discussion
Rockettvr said:
Hi all
Going to the FOS tomorrow, me and my son first timers
Got a rough idea of what we want to see but wondering if there’s any “must see- do not miss at any cost” things.
Also looking to get there for opening- would like to get a decent breakfast in before entering the site - does anyone know where might be open given it’ll be early doors Sunday morning.I’m guessing Given the time of day maccy d is probably going to be the only option
We’re coming in from the east
Thanks
I suppose it depends what sort of motorsport/cars/bikes you're into?Going to the FOS tomorrow, me and my son first timers
Got a rough idea of what we want to see but wondering if there’s any “must see- do not miss at any cost” things.
Also looking to get there for opening- would like to get a decent breakfast in before entering the site - does anyone know where might be open given it’ll be early doors Sunday morning.I’m guessing Given the time of day maccy d is probably going to be the only option

Thanks
Edited by Rockettvr on Saturday 13th July 15:43
The F1 batch is always very popular, so worth checking when they're running and get a good spot.
I usually get there for opening time, have some food and straight across to the F1 Paddock which will be pretty quiet at that time. Great opportunity to get up close to the cars there.
Re food, the food stalls at the FoS are always very high quality. I usually get there for opening time and have an egg and bacon bap, which always seem to use local produce. I dont remember having bad food there before, and there's a large selection available.
You could look at eating at the Goodwood Hotel Bar & Grill which is right by the entrance. They're open at 7am, but not sure how busy it will be.
https://www.goodwood.com/visit-eat-stay/restaurant...
We went there for an early dinner one year as they were showing one of the big World Cup games (Brazil v someone). On the table next to us was Emmerson Fittipaldi with his family enjoying the match! That was really quite memorable.
He wasn't best pleased when Brazil lost, though

Edited by Big Nanas on Saturday 13th July 16:24
Kendrik said:
WhyOne said:
Carparks and surrounding lanes a wet, muddy mess this morning, but all traffic seems to be moving OK ATM.
I think I know the answer based on this, but…it being the FOS I’d like to come in my GT3 (tomorrow) but feels like I might be safer in my wife’s X3? I normally end up in car park N/P/S area. Thanks for any input.Kendrik said:
As a quick update in case useful, it was bone dry and the GT3 was fine. It rained as we were leaving but I doubt a heavy shower will make a difference.
Were you in public parking? Any chance you know which car park you went into? Heading there in my pretty low Cayman in the morning.P3RK said:
Kendrik said:
As a quick update in case useful, it was bone dry and the GT3 was fine. It rained as we were leaving but I doubt a heavy shower will make a difference.
Were you in public parking? Any chance you know which car park you went into? Heading there in my pretty low Cayman in the morning.Good luck!
Weather was great today (Saturday) until around 4pm then chucked it down for at least 1.5 hours. When we left the main routes across the field were very muddy in the public parking. They had to divert to another piece of grass at one point as too muddy to drive over. Difficult to gauge what it will be like if it continues to stay dry, probably be fine. Wouldn't have wanted to have taken anything decent there to be honest, entrance track wasn't brilliant and series of metal plates they had weren't very even, but ok I guess!
P3RK said:
Kendrik said:
As a quick update in case useful, it was bone dry and the GT3 was fine. It rained as we were leaving but I doubt a heavy shower will make a difference.
Were you in public parking? Any chance you know which car park you went into? Heading there in my pretty low Cayman in the morning.Rockettvr said:
Hi all
Going to the FOS tomorrow, me and my son first timers
Got a rough idea of what we want to see but wondering if there’s any “must see- do not miss at any cost” things.
Also looking to get there for opening- would like to get a decent breakfast in before entering the site - does anyone know where might be open given it’ll be early doors Sunday morning.I’m guessing Given the time of day maccy d is probably going to be the only option
We’re coming in from the east
Thanks
Get in early and get breakfast there.Going to the FOS tomorrow, me and my son first timers
Got a rough idea of what we want to see but wondering if there’s any “must see- do not miss at any cost” things.
Also looking to get there for opening- would like to get a decent breakfast in before entering the site - does anyone know where might be open given it’ll be early doors Sunday morning.I’m guessing Given the time of day maccy d is probably going to be the only option

Thanks
Edited by Rockettvr on Saturday 13th July 15:43
I don't think that there are any hidden must sees - the rally stage and off road area are good, but it is a long walk.
adam quantrill said:
THanks for the heads up.
We are going tomorrow for the day, will get there for ~0800 too into the car parks.
We're coming from Bognor Butlins and staying for a few days so any recommendations for a pub to watch the tennis and footie on Sunday around Bognor area most appreciated.
Booked the Bultins last year as soon as we got the cancellation ticket notification from 2023!
We’re staying at Butlins along with lots of other show staff..We are going tomorrow for the day, will get there for ~0800 too into the car parks.
We're coming from Bognor Butlins and staying for a few days so any recommendations for a pub to watch the tennis and footie on Sunday around Bognor area most appreciated.
Booked the Bultins last year as soon as we got the cancellation ticket notification from 2023!
We watched the semi final in the Studio 36 building at Butlins. Three big screens and plenty of seats. Got a bit lively but good natured. If you leave the main ‘tent’ by Bar Rosso, the building is on your left.
There’s a good Thai restaurant in town - Bangkok Lounge.
We’ve just back from Meze, a fantastic Turkish restaurant in Bognor. Food was excellent
Just got home after a 5 hour drive.
Absolutely loved today from start to finish.
Stayed overnight at relations in Wokingham, and set off at 6:00 am. Arrived 7:20 and pretty much drove straight in to car park S. From a few comments on here I'd expected to be queueing for an hour or so at that time, but there was virtually no queueing considering the size of the event.
Parked up near the bottom of the field, and while we were messing about getting our stuff together, a Goodwood courtesy car pulled up and asked us if we wanted a lift. Bearing in mind there were hundreds of other cars around, somewhat bemused I asked "where to?", and the driver said, just up the hill to the entrance - it'll save you walking (we must have looked hopelessly disorganised or something). So they took all four of us through the gates to the top of the performace car parking area. Which was nice. Short walk to the F1 paddock - got an autograph from Jochen Mass, saw loads of great cars and drivers, and my son got Adrian Newey to sign his book. We spent most of the rest of the day in the grandstand watching some incredible cars I remember from past GPs and Group C races. Planned on staying longer, but we opted to leave after an hour of heavy rain. I was worried about getting the car out of the bottom of the field, but again we were on our way with vitually no hold-ups.
Crowds at 8:00 were pretty big, and after returing to the paddock at about 9:45, the crowds were just silly, so we retired to the grandstand again where we had lunch.
The main bit of advice I'd give any first-timers is get there even earlier than 7:20, and 100% buy a grandstand ticket. Without having those it would have baeen a completely different, miserable experience. The view from behind the hay bales is a bit sketchy, and standing up for the duration would be painful, especially in the rain.
So after a 21 year gap, thankfully FoS still delivers. We will definitely be booking again next near.
Absolutely loved today from start to finish.
Stayed overnight at relations in Wokingham, and set off at 6:00 am. Arrived 7:20 and pretty much drove straight in to car park S. From a few comments on here I'd expected to be queueing for an hour or so at that time, but there was virtually no queueing considering the size of the event.
Parked up near the bottom of the field, and while we were messing about getting our stuff together, a Goodwood courtesy car pulled up and asked us if we wanted a lift. Bearing in mind there were hundreds of other cars around, somewhat bemused I asked "where to?", and the driver said, just up the hill to the entrance - it'll save you walking (we must have looked hopelessly disorganised or something). So they took all four of us through the gates to the top of the performace car parking area. Which was nice. Short walk to the F1 paddock - got an autograph from Jochen Mass, saw loads of great cars and drivers, and my son got Adrian Newey to sign his book. We spent most of the rest of the day in the grandstand watching some incredible cars I remember from past GPs and Group C races. Planned on staying longer, but we opted to leave after an hour of heavy rain. I was worried about getting the car out of the bottom of the field, but again we were on our way with vitually no hold-ups.
Crowds at 8:00 were pretty big, and after returing to the paddock at about 9:45, the crowds were just silly, so we retired to the grandstand again where we had lunch.
The main bit of advice I'd give any first-timers is get there even earlier than 7:20, and 100% buy a grandstand ticket. Without having those it would have baeen a completely different, miserable experience. The view from behind the hay bales is a bit sketchy, and standing up for the duration would be painful, especially in the rain.
So after a 21 year gap, thankfully FoS still delivers. We will definitely be booking again next near.
dr_gn said:
Just got home after a 5 hour drive.
Absolutely loved today from start to finish.
Stayed overnight at relations in Wokingham, and set off at 6:00 am. Arrived 7:20 and pretty much drove straight in to car park S. From a few comments on here I'd expected to be queueing for an hour or so at that time, but there was virtually no queueing considering the size of the event.
Parked up near the bottom of the field, and while we were messing about getting our stuff together, a Goodwood courtesy car pulled up and asked us if we wanted a lift. Bearing in mind there were hundreds of other cars around, somewhat bemused I asked "where to?", and the driver said, just up the hill to the entrance - it'll save you walking (we must have looked hopelessly disorganised or something). So they took all four of us through the gates to the top of the performace car parking area. Which was nice. Short walk to the F1 paddock - got an autograph from Jochen Mass, saw loads of great cars and drivers, and my son got Adrian Newey to sign his book. We spent most of the rest of the day in the grandstand watching some incredible cars I remember from past GPs and Group C races. Planned on staying longer, but we opted to leave after an hour of heavy rain. I was worried about getting the car out of the bottom of the field, but again we were on our way with vitually no hold-ups.
Crowds at 8:00 were pretty big, and after returing to the paddock at about 9:45, the crowds were just silly, so we retired to the grandstand again where we had lunch.
The main bit of advice I'd give any first-timers is get there even earlier than 7:20, and 100% buy a grandstand ticket. Without having those it would have baeen a completely different, miserable experience. The view from behind the hay bales is a bit sketchy, and standing up for the duration would be painful, especially in the rain.
So after a 21 year gap, thankfully FoS still delivers. We will definitely be booking again next near.
Interesting how my bit of advice for first timers is never buy a grandstand ticket as you won’t have time to use it! Just shows we all want different things from FOS. Absolutely loved today from start to finish.
Stayed overnight at relations in Wokingham, and set off at 6:00 am. Arrived 7:20 and pretty much drove straight in to car park S. From a few comments on here I'd expected to be queueing for an hour or so at that time, but there was virtually no queueing considering the size of the event.
Parked up near the bottom of the field, and while we were messing about getting our stuff together, a Goodwood courtesy car pulled up and asked us if we wanted a lift. Bearing in mind there were hundreds of other cars around, somewhat bemused I asked "where to?", and the driver said, just up the hill to the entrance - it'll save you walking (we must have looked hopelessly disorganised or something). So they took all four of us through the gates to the top of the performace car parking area. Which was nice. Short walk to the F1 paddock - got an autograph from Jochen Mass, saw loads of great cars and drivers, and my son got Adrian Newey to sign his book. We spent most of the rest of the day in the grandstand watching some incredible cars I remember from past GPs and Group C races. Planned on staying longer, but we opted to leave after an hour of heavy rain. I was worried about getting the car out of the bottom of the field, but again we were on our way with vitually no hold-ups.
Crowds at 8:00 were pretty big, and after returing to the paddock at about 9:45, the crowds were just silly, so we retired to the grandstand again where we had lunch.
The main bit of advice I'd give any first-timers is get there even earlier than 7:20, and 100% buy a grandstand ticket. Without having those it would have baeen a completely different, miserable experience. The view from behind the hay bales is a bit sketchy, and standing up for the duration would be painful, especially in the rain.
So after a 21 year gap, thankfully FoS still delivers. We will definitely be booking again next near.
ecsrobin said:
dr_gn said:
Just got home after a 5 hour drive.
Absolutely loved today from start to finish.
Stayed overnight at relations in Wokingham, and set off at 6:00 am. Arrived 7:20 and pretty much drove straight in to car park S. From a few comments on here I'd expected to be queueing for an hour or so at that time, but there was virtually no queueing considering the size of the event.
Parked up near the bottom of the field, and while we were messing about getting our stuff together, a Goodwood courtesy car pulled up and asked us if we wanted a lift. Bearing in mind there were hundreds of other cars around, somewhat bemused I asked "where to?", and the driver said, just up the hill to the entrance - it'll save you walking (we must have looked hopelessly disorganised or something). So they took all four of us through the gates to the top of the performace car parking area. Which was nice. Short walk to the F1 paddock - got an autograph from Jochen Mass, saw loads of great cars and drivers, and my son got Adrian Newey to sign his book. We spent most of the rest of the day in the grandstand watching some incredible cars I remember from past GPs and Group C races. Planned on staying longer, but we opted to leave after an hour of heavy rain. I was worried about getting the car out of the bottom of the field, but again we were on our way with vitually no hold-ups.
Crowds at 8:00 were pretty big, and after returing to the paddock at about 9:45, the crowds were just silly, so we retired to the grandstand again where we had lunch.
The main bit of advice I'd give any first-timers is get there even earlier than 7:20, and 100% buy a grandstand ticket. Without having those it would have baeen a completely different, miserable experience. The view from behind the hay bales is a bit sketchy, and standing up for the duration would be painful, especially in the rain.
So after a 21 year gap, thankfully FoS still delivers. We will definitely be booking again next near.
Interesting how my bit of advice for first timers is never buy a grandstand ticket as you won’t have time to use it! Just shows we all want different things from FOS. Absolutely loved today from start to finish.
Stayed overnight at relations in Wokingham, and set off at 6:00 am. Arrived 7:20 and pretty much drove straight in to car park S. From a few comments on here I'd expected to be queueing for an hour or so at that time, but there was virtually no queueing considering the size of the event.
Parked up near the bottom of the field, and while we were messing about getting our stuff together, a Goodwood courtesy car pulled up and asked us if we wanted a lift. Bearing in mind there were hundreds of other cars around, somewhat bemused I asked "where to?", and the driver said, just up the hill to the entrance - it'll save you walking (we must have looked hopelessly disorganised or something). So they took all four of us through the gates to the top of the performace car parking area. Which was nice. Short walk to the F1 paddock - got an autograph from Jochen Mass, saw loads of great cars and drivers, and my son got Adrian Newey to sign his book. We spent most of the rest of the day in the grandstand watching some incredible cars I remember from past GPs and Group C races. Planned on staying longer, but we opted to leave after an hour of heavy rain. I was worried about getting the car out of the bottom of the field, but again we were on our way with vitually no hold-ups.
Crowds at 8:00 were pretty big, and after returing to the paddock at about 9:45, the crowds were just silly, so we retired to the grandstand again where we had lunch.
The main bit of advice I'd give any first-timers is get there even earlier than 7:20, and 100% buy a grandstand ticket. Without having those it would have baeen a completely different, miserable experience. The view from behind the hay bales is a bit sketchy, and standing up for the duration would be painful, especially in the rain.
So after a 21 year gap, thankfully FoS still delivers. We will definitely be booking again next near.
Of course if you like the rally stage, and want to look around the stalls you wouldn’t need a grandstand ticket, but for anything on the main climb…I’d have been very disappointed without a seat. Plus it’s somewhere sheltered to sit down.
But yes I was assuming people mainly went to see the cars go up the hill.
ecsrobin said:
Interesting how my bit of advice for first timers is never buy a grandstand ticket as you won’t have time to use it! Just shows we all want different things from FOS.
I had never bothered with a grandstand pass on my previous visits, but felt that this year it would have been worth while with the higher straw bales and how busy it gets.As a first timer who went this year I would also say get a grandstand ticket. I wish we had as the hay bales are pretty high if you’re not 6ft plus then all you’ll see is the tops of the cars. We ended up at on the bank at Molecomb which was a good place to watch but next time will get grandstand tickets.
What a great event though, so many different, varied cars, really is something for everyone.
What a great event though, so many different, varied cars, really is something for everyone.
If the bales are higher this year that explains it. I don't remember what height they were in 2001/2003 when I last went.
Having said that, even if the bales were waist height this year, trying to get a good view when the popular runs ore on looked very difficult.
IIRC Someone on another thread said that a good place for photography was up by the Flint Wall. Yesterday I was wondering why that would be a good place - again due to the height of the bales.
Having said that, even if the bales were waist height this year, trying to get a good view when the popular runs ore on looked very difficult.
IIRC Someone on another thread said that a good place for photography was up by the Flint Wall. Yesterday I was wondering why that would be a good place - again due to the height of the bales.
dr_gn said:
If the bales are higher this year that explains it. I don't remember what height they were in 2001/2003 when I last went.
Having said that, even if the bales were waist height this year, trying to get a good view when the popular runs ore on looked very difficult.
IIRC Someone on another thread said that a good place for photography was up by the Flint Wall. Yesterday I was wondering why that would be a good place - again due to the height of the bales.
Bales are higher this year I suspect as a result of the EV speeds last year. Having said that, even if the bales were waist height this year, trying to get a good view when the popular runs ore on looked very difficult.
IIRC Someone on another thread said that a good place for photography was up by the Flint Wall. Yesterday I was wondering why that would be a good place - again due to the height of the bales.
ecsrobin said:
dr_gn said:
If the bales are higher this year that explains it. I don't remember what height they were in 2001/2003 when I last went.
Having said that, even if the bales were waist height this year, trying to get a good view when the popular runs ore on looked very difficult.
IIRC Someone on another thread said that a good place for photography was up by the Flint Wall. Yesterday I was wondering why that would be a good place - again due to the height of the bales.
Bales are higher this year I suspect as a result of the EV speeds last year. Having said that, even if the bales were waist height this year, trying to get a good view when the popular runs ore on looked very difficult.
IIRC Someone on another thread said that a good place for photography was up by the Flint Wall. Yesterday I was wondering why that would be a good place - again due to the height of the bales.
Most of the cars were really well demonstrated in terms of performance (and sound) which was brilliant to see. Loved it yesterday. Now for RIAT…
dr_gn said:
If the bales are higher this year that explains it. I don't remember what height they were in 2001/2003 when I last went.
Having said that, even if the bales were waist height this year, trying to get a good view when the popular runs ore on looked very difficult.
IIRC Someone on another thread said that a good place for photography was up by the Flint Wall. Yesterday I was wondering why that would be a good place - again due to the height of the bales.
My first visit was 2008, and it has changed a lot since then, it is much busier for a start.Having said that, even if the bales were waist height this year, trying to get a good view when the popular runs ore on looked very difficult.
IIRC Someone on another thread said that a good place for photography was up by the Flint Wall. Yesterday I was wondering why that would be a good place - again due to the height of the bales.
It was only 1 bale high from Molecombe, but as you say the crowd was 5 deep, higher up the hill it was quieter.
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