Festival of speed first timer 2024

[dr_gn]

CloudStuff said:

dr_gn said:

CloudStuff said:

dr_gn said:

ecsrobin said:

dr_gn said:

After booking Sunday last year, I was almost relieved it was cancelled (the only time it’s ever been cancelled I believe!).

Saturday

Ah yes. I could have sworn that we went to Flying Legends on the Saturday, but it was indeed Sunday. It would have been a lot of hours in the car had FoS not been cancelled that weekend.

Just a quick note, to express my gratitude to you for avoiding the cusotmary (on ph) "could of sworn".

No problem. Just glad I brought my tickets early for this iconic event.

Hopefully the catering is good - although I imagine an expresso and a chicken sees her salad will cost a princelee some.

Probably be stood in a queue for while for that.

[Pixel299]

I don't know if this is still a thing but some (not all) of the manufacturers used to offer hospitality which you accessed basically by flashing your car key. So it could be worth taking all of your car keys with you as you never know who has the best coffee...

I've not been since 2019 so it might not be a thing now, but I'm taking all of my keys just in case...

[Jeenyus161]

A minor point, but hopefully helpful to know:

Honda are giving away free sunglasses (adult & child sizes available) to anyone going to the stand and saying "sunny side up". Kids always love the swag and I can't possibly be the only person who has a habit of leaving their sunglasses in their car!

[Patrick1964]

I see a helpful post on page 1 suggesting that approaching from the North offers closer car parking - can anyone advise if the East or West area is preferable please ?

[dr_gn]

Patrick1964 said:

I see a helpful post on page 1 suggesting that approaching from the North offers closer car parking - can anyone advise if the East or West area is preferable please ?

I'm wondering that too. We will be staying the night before in Wokingham. I think it's about 90 minutes from there with no traffic, so any advice on what time to set off and which route/car park would be really appreciated.

We're mainly interested in looking around the F1 and WEC paddocks before it gets too busy, after that we're happy to go with the flow and figure things out for next year

[markiii]

I set my satnav for goodwood house itself, and the signposts brought me right into the carpark behind the startline.

walked in and over the bridge, pretty much ion teh paddock area. We were there for 8:30 but it was still heaving

[NordicCrankShaft]

First timer here too, going on the Sunday.

Weather looks as though it'll be ste which is a shame.

Is it all in grass or is it patched, no idea what to expect? Don't want it to be a ste day because I'm not prepared for it with proper footwear.

Can't wait though, buzzing for this as have always wanted to go!

[nordboy]

NordicCrankShaft said:

First timer here too, going on the Sunday.

Weather looks as though it'll be ste which is a shame.

Is it all in grass or is it patched, no idea what to expect? Don't want it to be a ste day because I'm not prepared for it with proper footwear.

Can't wait though, buzzing for this as have always wanted to go!

Lots of grass, including the car parks. Around the main area, there are temporary wide metal pathways laid for people to walk on. they do get wet and muddy though. Definitely pack some decent footwear.

[WhyOne]

More than a week out is way to early to get any sort of reliable forecast!

(But for what it is worth - ie not a lot at this stage! - the BBC forecast looks OK for next weekend)

Edited by WhyOne on Saturday 6th July 12:03

[595Heaven]

Can’t wait for GFoS

Will be there Weds to Sun, and expect our stand to be heaving with people wanting to see OCTA

Staying at Butlins as usual!

[nordboy]

595Heaven said:

Can’t wait for GFoS

Will be there Weds to Sun, and expect our stand to be heaving with people wanting to see OCTA

Staying at Butlins as usual!

Land Rover stand? Always a great look around, can never get anywhere near the 4x4 experience mind you. Been meaning to do it every year for at least 10!!

[595Heaven]

Yep.

The Land Rover Experiene is now only bookable online, and filled up all almost immediately I’m afraid.

Plenty of good stuff to look around on the stand though!

[pmn3]

Another first timer. I have tickets for Saturday, will be driving with the family from London. As we have small kids, there is no way we can be there for 6:30 when the gates open.
My plan is to leave London around 8:00 and hope to make the journey in say 2 hours - normally the journey should take 1hr20mins. Is that realistic?
From the timetable, the first really exciting event I’m hoping to see is 10:30 “Goodwood Action Sports: Warm Up show”. So get to the venue by 10:00, check in etc, view the event at 10:30.
Is this a realistic plan?

[NDA]

The M25 between Junctions 10 and 11 is going to be closed over the weekend.

I suspect most people know - but thought I'd mention it.

https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/south-eas...

[WhyOne]

pmn3 said:

Another first timer. I have tickets for Saturday, will be driving with the family from London. As we have small kids, there is no way we can be there for 6:30 when the gates open.
My plan is to leave London around 8:00 and hope to make the journey in say 2 hours - normally the journey should take 1hr20mins. Is that realistic?
From the timetable, the first really exciting event I’m hoping to see is 10:30 “Goodwood Action Sports: Warm Up show”. So get to the venue by 10:00, check in etc, view the event at 10:30.
Is this a realistic plan?

It may just work, but I think the planets will need to align for you.

The approach roads will be busy/slow at the sort of time you are getting into the area, access to car parks will also be slow. You will be parking a pair way back from.the site entrances, so will have a reasonable walk in. Are you aiming for the public car park nearest to the GAS arena? If not, I would make plans to do so - the wrong car park will leave you a long yomp across the site - and it covers a huge area.

[dr_gn]

In terms of car parks - pretty sure we weren't designated one, so do you just get directed into the nearest one from wherever you're approaching from, or should you decide which you want and follow signs? Seems an odd arrangement if the latter.

[WhyOne]

dr_gn said:

In terms of car parks - pretty sure we weren't designated one, so do you just get directed into the nearest one from wherever you're approaching from, or should you decide which you want and follow signs? Seems an odd arrangement if the latter.

Yes, there is no designated Public Parking so you are free to head to whichever one is most convenient / suits you best. This is straightforward if you a/ know the area and b/ arrive before things get congested. Later in the morning it will be especially time consuming to get to any car park other than the one signposted from your incoming route.

[pmn3]

WhyOne said:

It may just work, but I think the planets will need to align for you.

The approach roads will be busy/slow at the sort of time you are getting into the area, access to car parks will also be slow. You will be parking a pair way back from.the site entrances, so will have a reasonable walk in. Are you aiming for the public car park nearest to the GAS arena? If not, I would make plans to do so - the wrong car park will leave you a long yomp across the site - and it covers a huge area.

Good shout about the car park, thanks. I see events that we’ll want to see are at GAS or Hillclimb locations, so I’ll be aiming for car park G for those. Thanks

[Greza]

Buy the event programme, race card and ear piece radio.
Take the tractor up to the rally stage and walk down. The walk through the woods can be muddy if it has been raining, so be prepared.
Make sure you watch the Sunday Shootout.
The GAS arena is worth a visit.
I usually visit as much as I can on the first day and follow up any areas I missed on the second. I also tend to spectate the Hill Climb on the Sunday when it gets more competitive.
Enjoy your day and don’t stress if you don’t see everything, there is always next year

Edited by Greza on Tuesday 9th July 11:30

[ecsrobin]

pmn3 said:

Another first timer. I have tickets for Saturday, will be driving with the family from London. As we have small kids, there is no way we can be there for 6:30 when the gates open.
My plan is to leave London around 8:00 and hope to make the journey in say 2 hours - normally the journey should take 1hr20mins. Is that realistic?
From the timetable, the first really exciting event I’m hoping to see is 10:30 “Goodwood Action Sports: Warm Up show”. So get to the venue by 10:00, check in etc, view the event at 10:30.
Is this a realistic plan?

I’d say allow at least 2.5hrs but as said if you’re London check the diversion roads for the M25 closure as you could be adding another hour on.