Goodwood FOS 2025
Discussion
Inspire said:
Given the heat, I You could see people were wilting from early afternoon onwards.
That was me! Dragged myself up to the rally stage early doors before it got to it's hottest. But 80,000 steps over 2 days is a lot, we got a lift in each morning from our AirBnB but there was a 45 min walk back each evening and that didn't help!I’ve not been for a couple of years and I’ve not been on a Sunday for 8-10 years probably. I’ve never seen it so busy on a shootout my past visits you could quite easily sit down at molecombe and watch the shootout, it was a wall of people so we decided to browse the traders instead of watching the shootout and then caught it at home.
Visibility of the track has got worse and lots of people now carrying steps which adds to the problem. I think we watched one batch of cars and decided to use the day browsing paddocks and the rally course. I used to say you don’t need a grandstand but after yesterday I’d say it’s a must if you want to properly see cars running.
Phone signal on EE was the best I’ve had at a Goodwood event.
Visibility of the track has got worse and lots of people now carrying steps which adds to the problem. I think we watched one batch of cars and decided to use the day browsing paddocks and the rally course. I used to say you don’t need a grandstand but after yesterday I’d say it’s a must if you want to properly see cars running.
Phone signal on EE was the best I’ve had at a Goodwood event.
on the internet! Took my wife (a total non-car person) and our 10yo son plus his mate yesterday. Overall we had a great time.
I need to preface this: I won the tickets in a charity raffle at work, it cost me a tenner plus petrol to get there.
On the positive side, we arrived into Car Park M and were met by a roving Land Rover guy in a new Defender who chauffeured us to the gate. It was only a few hundred metres and the luck of the draw to bump into him, but it was a really lovely welcome. We watched the Red Arrows from the comfort of the lawn and my wife bagged complimentary programs and radios for the kids, which really helped. It was nice to the Red Arrows be able to display relatively close to the crowd, given the tighter restrictions I assume they are under since the Horsham crash.
We then went on a wander, which was where things went south a little. The hay bales are so high you can barely see anything (especially kids) and the heat was a bit of a killer. I know FOS can't do much about the latter. Unfortunately our tickets did not include Grandstand, but I probably would not have paid for that if I was buying anyway, as I am more of a wanderer than a sitter.
My recollection of my last visit about 12yrs ago was far fewer people overall and much better track visibility/availability of natural shade, due to fewer people being on site. "It's become a bit of a monster" was my impression, having not been there in over a decade. Obviously I appreciate that more tickets = a bigger/greater show, but it just felt too big for me, as a single day visitor. I bumped into a veteran mate who had been there since Thursday and he still had things to tick off that he hadn't seen.
We retired to the shady tent to watch the Goodwood Action Sports to get some respite from the sun. The kids absolutely loved it, as did I as an 80s BMX-er, it isn't something I expected to see at the FOS but we all really, really enjoyed it. The planned pitlane walkabout went out of the window because of the heat.
We ended up at the top of the hill for the end of the shootout, after which loads of people decided to leave. This left us with great views, and lots to watch in the last two sessions, it was all far more relaxed than earlier in the day.
Will I return next year? Possibly. It's a tough one with young kids and the heat/amount of people. If I was being completely honest I would rather go on my own and indulge in my passion for motorsport by geeking over the the cars, as a couple of mates did, but my wife cuts me a lot of slack with other events during the year, so I had to suck this one up as a family day out. I'm not moaning - everyone had a good time, especially as it cost me peanuts - but I didn't really get the time to get up close to any cars, which is the real attraction of the FOS for me.
I need to preface this: I won the tickets in a charity raffle at work, it cost me a tenner plus petrol to get there.
On the positive side, we arrived into Car Park M and were met by a roving Land Rover guy in a new Defender who chauffeured us to the gate. It was only a few hundred metres and the luck of the draw to bump into him, but it was a really lovely welcome. We watched the Red Arrows from the comfort of the lawn and my wife bagged complimentary programs and radios for the kids, which really helped. It was nice to the Red Arrows be able to display relatively close to the crowd, given the tighter restrictions I assume they are under since the Horsham crash.
We then went on a wander, which was where things went south a little. The hay bales are so high you can barely see anything (especially kids) and the heat was a bit of a killer. I know FOS can't do much about the latter. Unfortunately our tickets did not include Grandstand, but I probably would not have paid for that if I was buying anyway, as I am more of a wanderer than a sitter.
My recollection of my last visit about 12yrs ago was far fewer people overall and much better track visibility/availability of natural shade, due to fewer people being on site. "It's become a bit of a monster" was my impression, having not been there in over a decade. Obviously I appreciate that more tickets = a bigger/greater show, but it just felt too big for me, as a single day visitor. I bumped into a veteran mate who had been there since Thursday and he still had things to tick off that he hadn't seen.
We retired to the shady tent to watch the Goodwood Action Sports to get some respite from the sun. The kids absolutely loved it, as did I as an 80s BMX-er, it isn't something I expected to see at the FOS but we all really, really enjoyed it. The planned pitlane walkabout went out of the window because of the heat.
We ended up at the top of the hill for the end of the shootout, after which loads of people decided to leave. This left us with great views, and lots to watch in the last two sessions, it was all far more relaxed than earlier in the day.
Will I return next year? Possibly. It's a tough one with young kids and the heat/amount of people. If I was being completely honest I would rather go on my own and indulge in my passion for motorsport by geeking over the the cars, as a couple of mates did, but my wife cuts me a lot of slack with other events during the year, so I had to suck this one up as a family day out. I'm not moaning - everyone had a good time, especially as it cost me peanuts - but I didn't really get the time to get up close to any cars, which is the real attraction of the FOS for me.
Edited by Shooter McGavin on Monday 14th July 11:56
I forgot to add my funny encounter yesterday.
I m sure many regulars will know that at the bridges when it s busy in one direction (normally at start and end of days the marshalls will send you the wrong way up the stairs but ask you to keep left.
Yesterday on leaving we got sent the wrong way and I was about the 10th person over, an old boy in his leather fedora had clocked the first few people going the wrong way so crossed from left to right grabbed the hand rail then confronted a young couple in front of me saying they were going the wrong way, and I think he was expecting us all to turn around. As I’m big and loud I mentioned to him we are following the marshall’s directions to which he promptly went back to the left head down
I m sure many regulars will know that at the bridges when it s busy in one direction (normally at start and end of days the marshalls will send you the wrong way up the stairs but ask you to keep left.
Yesterday on leaving we got sent the wrong way and I was about the 10th person over, an old boy in his leather fedora had clocked the first few people going the wrong way so crossed from left to right grabbed the hand rail then confronted a young couple in front of me saying they were going the wrong way, and I think he was expecting us all to turn around. As I’m big and loud I mentioned to him we are following the marshall’s directions to which he promptly went back to the left head down
Been going on and off for quite a few years but with tickets through work so have never had to pay and therefore my perception may be different. Overall a decent day out. The hay is too high. It just is.
Some people who had grandstand tickets could not find a grandstand with seats available.
The shootout was a little disappointing with the line up. Food and drink - to be honest when hasn't that been expensive at ANY event. It is good quality though. Water is too expensive but there are free water stations. Weather- yes it was hot, prepare accordingly.
For me the Members Meeting is more enjoyable, but because there's more actual action and less people.
Some people who had grandstand tickets could not find a grandstand with seats available.
The shootout was a little disappointing with the line up. Food and drink - to be honest when hasn't that been expensive at ANY event. It is good quality though. Water is too expensive but there are free water stations. Weather- yes it was hot, prepare accordingly.
For me the Members Meeting is more enjoyable, but because there's more actual action and less people.
Inspire said:
fridaypassion said:
Was it quiet this year? Looking at the cars going up the hill there looks to be a fraction of the spectators there normally are?
No, I thought it was as busy as always. Given the heat, I suspect a lot of people sought out shade in the grandstands. You could see people were wilting from early afternoon onwards.Thanks
Rob
ecsrobin said:
I ve not been for a couple of years and I ve not been on a Sunday for 8-10 years probably. I ve never seen it so busy on a shootout my past visits you could quite easily sit down at molecombe and watch the shootout, it was a wall of people so we decided to browse the traders instead of watching the shootout and then caught it at home.
The event has grown massively. I first went in 2004 and it was just hill climb, paddock walk around, a small rally section and that was it.
Then in 2023 I took my son and it had grown so much,
Most car manufactures build huge multi level show stands, so it's like having a motorshow there as well, the rally event has a whole new section, there is a whole mini village of shops/stores, MTB/MX jump event, the F1 teams have their own stands and this year I see tech companies havings their stands and game areas too- eBay and Amazon.
It's really way too much to do in one day - you always want to be in 2 places at once .
I took this photo yesterday from the Molecombe 3 grandstand during the F1 run/timed shoot out (2:50pm). Even the open air grandstand was full
This photo - 9am opposite the house
Edited by SDK on Monday 14th July 12:35
HJG said:
For me the Members Meeting is more enjoyable, but because there's more actual action and less people.
I think that might be the one for me too. Although I see that 'Fellowship' Membership comes in at 89 quid. Does this guarantee you a ticket to the Member's Meeting or do you still have to be quick out of the blocks to get tickets for that? I like the idea of the Revival, but I don't really fancy flouncing around in tweed all weekend, I'm more of a combat shorts and trainers kind of bloke, so have never really considered the Revival as something to go to.
I was there Friday VIP and Saturday Gen Pop. I think it’s my 5th or 6th time there, I thought the crowds were somewhat less this time.
Lovely event. My guest was here with a manufacturer and he got a run up the hill.
Hay bales are getting a little higher and the number of VIP/manufacturer areas is restricting it for the general public, which is a shame (despite being there in that capacity myself on one day)
My biggest frustration this year was there seemed to be far less variety on the hill runs. Appreciate the focus was F1 and it was glorious to see some important cars run up the hill but it got repetitive, quick plus what felt like larger gaps between runs.
Second: parking. The parking attendants into The Kennels were the most jumped up jobsworths in the world. Would not let me in one day despite being there with a manufacture, I was with client who’s built a significant car with me. Showed my ID, business card plus other credentials. No luck.
‘But you ain’t got a sticker for the car park’.
‘Yes sir, that was not sent over to me in the United States but here’s my US ID, business card and some literature from the brand, I’m on the brands guest list which is in the kennels’
They blocked the road so I couldn’t get in. 🤣
The first day ‘well you can’t park as you don’t have ‘brand X’s car’
‘Correct. But my client does, but we live in America and we’re guests of brand X’
‘Sorry you can’t come into vip parking’
Parking attendant was told to Foxtrot Oscar and just blasted past.
Ultimately a break in comms with the manufacturer to me and client but bloody hell, they could have used some common sense and discretion.
First world problems and all, but still.
Lovely event. My guest was here with a manufacturer and he got a run up the hill.
Hay bales are getting a little higher and the number of VIP/manufacturer areas is restricting it for the general public, which is a shame (despite being there in that capacity myself on one day)
My biggest frustration this year was there seemed to be far less variety on the hill runs. Appreciate the focus was F1 and it was glorious to see some important cars run up the hill but it got repetitive, quick plus what felt like larger gaps between runs.
Second: parking. The parking attendants into The Kennels were the most jumped up jobsworths in the world. Would not let me in one day despite being there with a manufacture, I was with client who’s built a significant car with me. Showed my ID, business card plus other credentials. No luck.
‘But you ain’t got a sticker for the car park’.
‘Yes sir, that was not sent over to me in the United States but here’s my US ID, business card and some literature from the brand, I’m on the brands guest list which is in the kennels’
They blocked the road so I couldn’t get in. 🤣
The first day ‘well you can’t park as you don’t have ‘brand X’s car’
‘Correct. But my client does, but we live in America and we’re guests of brand X’
‘Sorry you can’t come into vip parking’
- shows guy email from brand with VIP ticket and VIP parking with no reference to type of vehicle required*
Parking attendant was told to Foxtrot Oscar and just blasted past.
Ultimately a break in comms with the manufacturer to me and client but bloody hell, they could have used some common sense and discretion.
First world problems and all, but still.
SDK said:
The event has grown massively.
I first went in 2004 and it was just hill climb, paddock walk around, a small rally section and that was it.
Get some time in I first went in 2004 and it was just hill climb, paddock walk around, a small rally section and that was it.
I first went 94 and then you just had a piece of rope between you and the cars whilst sat on the grass with a picnic. Trade stands have got smaller in recent years though and you used to leave with armful’s of freebies but these days few and far between.
As a first timer it was awesome. Kids loved it as there were loads of bits for them to interact with.
Car park situation was fine but not amazing. Long walk to car park a, then a short tractor ride to car park b. It seemed pot luck as to which lane you ended up in and being guided to the further away car park without realising. I'm sure I missed a trick somewhere!
Car park situation was fine but not amazing. Long walk to car park a, then a short tractor ride to car park b. It seemed pot luck as to which lane you ended up in and being guided to the further away car park without realising. I'm sure I missed a trick somewhere!
Billy_Rosewood said:
As a first timer it was awesome. Kids loved it as there were loads of bits for them to interact with.
Car park situation was fine but not amazing. Long walk to car park a, then a short tractor ride to car park b. It seemed pot luck as to which lane you ended up in and being guided to the further away car park without realising. I'm sure I missed a trick somewhere!
Yes !Car park situation was fine but not amazing. Long walk to car park a, then a short tractor ride to car park b. It seemed pot luck as to which lane you ended up in and being guided to the further away car park without realising. I'm sure I missed a trick somewhere!
We were in Car Park B6 this year - which is as far away as possible from the entrance
Likely because we arrived from the west side, as we stayed overnight in Portsmouth.
Last year we arrived from the North side, at the same time - about 08:15, and was sent into the car park just above the performance car park, which is around 2 mins walk
Car Park 6 is 1.7km from Goodwood FOS entrance
The field above the Perf car park is just 300 meters from the entrance
First time taking the Mrs and she loved it.
I've shown her pics previously and a few instagram reels but its a hard event to describe.
IT really is a festival of cars, with so much going on. Where else are F1 drivers, Travis Pastrana, BMW / Motocross / Manufacturer stands, racing, red arrows going on in such a vast scale.
The heat did make me want to wander a bit less and hang around the stands less.
Sat in grandstand for the first time I've ever bothered to do so yesterday.
Much less manufacturer stands and displays than there once was, but I guess its not much of a return on investment and depends where they are in their product life cycle.
Porsche stand particularly disappointing.
One of my highlights of the weekend was staying at a hotel with Pool and Jacuzzi / Sauna etc as afterwards being on feet all day that was a game changer. I think we had walked about 9 miles.
I've shown her pics previously and a few instagram reels but its a hard event to describe.
IT really is a festival of cars, with so much going on. Where else are F1 drivers, Travis Pastrana, BMW / Motocross / Manufacturer stands, racing, red arrows going on in such a vast scale.
The heat did make me want to wander a bit less and hang around the stands less.
Sat in grandstand for the first time I've ever bothered to do so yesterday.
Much less manufacturer stands and displays than there once was, but I guess its not much of a return on investment and depends where they are in their product life cycle.
Porsche stand particularly disappointing.
One of my highlights of the weekend was staying at a hotel with Pool and Jacuzzi / Sauna etc as afterwards being on feet all day that was a game changer. I think we had walked about 9 miles.
Been every year since 1998. Very dissapointed, couldnt believe virtually no historic sports cars at all. Lemans prototypes, group c (i think 1 car), gt3, sports endurance racers, classic gt's like e type/ 250 gto/ cobra. Just lots of bloody EV's.
not going next year , i'll stick to the revival.
not going next year , i'll stick to the revival.
Frogmella said:
I Would not let me in one day despite being there with a manufacture, I was with client who s built a significant car with me. Showed my ID, business card plus other credentials. No luck.
But you ain t got a sticker for the car park .
Yes sir, that was not sent over to me in the United States but here s my US ID, business card and some literature from the brand, I m on the brands guest list which is in the kennels
They blocked the road so I couldn t get in. ?
The first day well you can t park as you don t have brand X s car
Correct. But my client does, but we live in America and we re guests of brand X
Sorry you can t come into vip parking
Parking attendant was told to Foxtrot Oscar and just blasted past.
Ultimately a break in comms with the manufacturer to me and client but bloody hell, they could have used some common sense and discretion.
First world problems and all, but still.
Definite first world problem. I’m sure the minimum wage guys were very impressed.But you ain t got a sticker for the car park .
Yes sir, that was not sent over to me in the United States but here s my US ID, business card and some literature from the brand, I m on the brands guest list which is in the kennels
They blocked the road so I couldn t get in. ?
The first day well you can t park as you don t have brand X s car
Correct. But my client does, but we live in America and we re guests of brand X
Sorry you can t come into vip parking
- shows guy email from brand with VIP ticket and VIP parking with no reference to type of vehicle required*
Parking attendant was told to Foxtrot Oscar and just blasted past.
Ultimately a break in comms with the manufacturer to me and client but bloody hell, they could have used some common sense and discretion.
First world problems and all, but still.
For people mentioning lack of variety, I do feel like the events are more themed around particular types of cars now than when I first used to go. Not complaining though, I thought the amount of F1 stuff was ace this year (was with two friends who are very big F1 fans). Got to meet Sir Jackie, and Esteban Ocon which was nice. Having a nosey poke around Niki Lauda's Ferrari 312T and the William FW11 at 7am was particular highlight, and loved revisiting the screams of the V10 and V8 era cars I grew up with in the mid to late 2000's. No complaints from me at all this year, even if Le Mans cars are more my bag. Still didn't get to see much rally action, but did enjoy a chat with the guy running the Rover SD1 up there.
ChevronB19 said:
Frogmella said:
I Would not let me in one day despite being there with a manufacture, I was with client who s built a significant car with me. Showed my ID, business card plus other credentials. No luck.
But you ain t got a sticker for the car park .
Yes sir, that was not sent over to me in the United States but here s my US ID, business card and some literature from the brand, I m on the brands guest list which is in the kennels
They blocked the road so I couldn t get in. ?
The first day well you can t park as you don t have brand X s car
Correct. But my client does, but we live in America and we re guests of brand X
Sorry you can t come into vip parking
Parking attendant was told to Foxtrot Oscar and just blasted past.
Ultimately a break in comms with the manufacturer to me and client but bloody hell, they could have used some common sense and discretion.
First world problems and all, but still.
Definite first world problem. I m sure the minimum wage guys were very impressed.But you ain t got a sticker for the car park .
Yes sir, that was not sent over to me in the United States but here s my US ID, business card and some literature from the brand, I m on the brands guest list which is in the kennels
They blocked the road so I couldn t get in. ?
The first day well you can t park as you don t have brand X s car
Correct. But my client does, but we live in America and we re guests of brand X
Sorry you can t come into vip parking
- shows guy email from brand with VIP ticket and VIP parking with no reference to type of vehicle required*
Parking attendant was told to Foxtrot Oscar and just blasted past.
Ultimately a break in comms with the manufacturer to me and client but bloody hell, they could have used some common sense and discretion.
First world problems and all, but still.
Understood.
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