FOS.. What's it actually like?
Discussion
These past few years, i've went to a few Music Festivals at the start of the summer.. Last year was the first time I really took notice of the Festival of Speed, and instead of a music festival or anything this year, i'm considering going to Goodwood.
I'm just wondering what actually is on each day, especially with the camping, is there different things that will be on throughout the day and then something big on at night? Is there always something to go and watch, or do? And Is there any sort of night life about it or do people generally just go to sleep after it clears up?
Would you recommend going to it? Is it worth going the whole weekend, or is each day just the same stuff over and over.
I'm just wondering what actually is on each day, especially with the camping, is there different things that will be on throughout the day and then something big on at night? Is there always something to go and watch, or do? And Is there any sort of night life about it or do people generally just go to sleep after it clears up?
Would you recommend going to it? Is it worth going the whole weekend, or is each day just the same stuff over and over.
It's crowded and expensive, but if you're good with your elbows and like getting up early you can get really, really close to pretty much all of motor racing history.
Never been camping so can't comment on the nightlife but Friday is usually a practice day and Sat / Sun are timed runs (for those cars entered to do timed runs). The best thing about the FOS and the Revival is the atmosphere: it's amazing to be able to walk around and hear Allan McNish chatting to Derek Bell about tyre improvements on LM cars whilst signing autographs or see John Surtees posing for photos before warming up and old Mercedes GP car (stand well back!)
Despite all the grumbling you'll here it's still something every petrolhead should experience!
Never been camping so can't comment on the nightlife but Friday is usually a practice day and Sat / Sun are timed runs (for those cars entered to do timed runs). The best thing about the FOS and the Revival is the atmosphere: it's amazing to be able to walk around and hear Allan McNish chatting to Derek Bell about tyre improvements on LM cars whilst signing autographs or see John Surtees posing for photos before warming up and old Mercedes GP car (stand well back!)
Despite all the grumbling you'll here it's still something every petrolhead should experience!
www.racinggreenphotography.com have a look here, i have posted several hundred pics of the event over the last four years which will give you an idea. It is easy to get overawed by it all as there is so much to do and see. I do all three days and its not enough so thanks Goodwood for adding a fourth!
Oilchange said:
Its a great day out provided it doesn't tip down.
But, when it does tip down, as it did when I went in 2008, it's a nightmare. Welly boots, cagoules & brolly plus seats in a stand doesn't stop the stuff getting down your neck. The camera stops working because of the humidity and the time taken to get out of the quagmire (aka parking areas) just has to be experienced. Miserable.I'm sure it would have been great in the sunshine.
I think its one of the best motorsport type events your ever likely to attend. The crowds are there because of what is on display. The event management I believe is second to none. To all the people who are negative about it, if there were low crowds the only reason would be if the event was crap, its not. Its expensive, I disagree, for whats on offer I have no issue with it. As for muddy carparks in the rain, thousands of cars parked in a field, what do you think is going to happen?
Last year I got driven round a muddy/rocky field in a Porsche sideways for free, got driven over a tasty obstacle course in a range rover for free, got a spin in a helicopter over the whole event for something like 30 pounds, was driven in a Bowler Wildcat over an offroad course. I could have sat into Loebs C4 late Friday evening with its engine running as it was left unattended when the team were unloading the truck to compete on Sat/Sunday. I could go on and on about what makes the event so great and after three 12 hours days I get home and see photos of cars on Pistonheads that I still didnt get to see!
This year, there will probably be an increased presence in the air
, they are bringing over Australian V8 touring cars, Nascars, Ken Block, basically a whole load of cars that you wont generally get to see competing in Europe and now there is talk of a fourth day also.
Note to self, must buy more SD cards!
Last year I got driven round a muddy/rocky field in a Porsche sideways for free, got driven over a tasty obstacle course in a range rover for free, got a spin in a helicopter over the whole event for something like 30 pounds, was driven in a Bowler Wildcat over an offroad course. I could have sat into Loebs C4 late Friday evening with its engine running as it was left unattended when the team were unloading the truck to compete on Sat/Sunday. I could go on and on about what makes the event so great and after three 12 hours days I get home and see photos of cars on Pistonheads that I still didnt get to see!
This year, there will probably be an increased presence in the air
, they are bringing over Australian V8 touring cars, Nascars, Ken Block, basically a whole load of cars that you wont generally get to see competing in Europe and now there is talk of a fourth day also.Note to self, must buy more SD cards!
Virtually every vehicle in the Hill Climb or the rally stage will appear each day (so you could argue that each day is identical). However, the drivers change in some cars, particularly F1, with the Buttons and Hamiltons only doing Sunday. The current test drivers tend to do Friday and Saturday. If a car is a bit fragile some have been known to run on Friday and then not reappear cos they can't be fixed. Last year Citroen WRC team only turned up on Saturday for the Rally Stage but boy was it worth seeing Loeb close up. There are static displays, the Style et Luxe paddock, air displays from the Red Arrows, the Sunday Times super car paddock and track run. The 'chatshow' in the stables block where famous drivers are interviewed. Get on the website and have a look at all the archive news stories for 2009.
Either you are a petrolhead or you aint but the word 'festival' in the Goodwood title bears no resemblance to T in the Park or the Isle of Wight.
Either you are a petrolhead or you aint but the word 'festival' in the Goodwood title bears no resemblance to T in the Park or the Isle of Wight.
Conor D said:
For example what day Ken Block will be there, or is he likely to be there over all the days doing different stuff each day?
He's the block the drives fast round warehouses yes? Well he won't be doing that because basically it's a hill climb up the house drive plus a rally circuit in the woods. I'm not sure you've got the right idea about the FoS i.e. it's not the Le Mans 24 so there's no rock concert at night or anything but if you're into cars you'll like it. Oilchange said:
Just go. You'll love it.
+1 I went for the first time last year & despite walking around for what must have been 6hrs?! I wanted to stay longer! Alas a complaining 12yr old (My brother who actually likes cars but cant stand walking!) made me go home earlier than I wanted!
It was amazing, I had the benefit of a PH'er send me free tickets & to him I'm forever thankful, worth every moment
& it was scorching sunshine, perfection.
Edited by ironictwist on Tuesday 23 March 09:07
TOTALLY AGREE FIRST YEAR FOR ME WAS 1999 HAVE BEEN DOING ALL 3 DAYS SINCE 2003 AND COULDNT SEE MYSELF DOING ANY LESS (SAME FOR REVIVAL).GREAT CHANCE TO MEET DRIVERS/RIDERS.12 HOUR DAYS ARE LONG BUT WORTH IT ITS ONLY 3 DAYS A YEAR.STAY LATE FOR PRIZE GIVING SUNDAY AND GET INVITED INTO HOUSE FOR CAKE AND CHAMPERS.WORTH STAYING LATE COUPLE OF YEARS BACK TO SEE DOUG LAMPKIN JUMP OVER LORD MARCH.TRUE ALSO ABOUT PICS I TAKE 3 CAMERAS AND VIDEO CAMERA I AM STILL GOING THROUGH LAST YEARS REVIVAL PICS.
IN THE WORDS OF PETER GRIFFIN "ITS FRIKKIN SWEET"
IN THE WORDS OF PETER GRIFFIN "ITS FRIKKIN SWEET"
AngryApples said:
Badg
not an awful lot between Fri/Sat (IMHO) plus the Times always has a draw for a free pair of tickets
See HERE
I think they give away many thosuand? - I'm yet to fail at getting a pair!
Cheers for that, I'll keep an eye out in the Times. As long as normal tickets don't sell out in the meantime..... not an awful lot between Fri/Sat (IMHO) plus the Times always has a draw for a free pair of tickets
See HERE
I think they give away many thosuand? - I'm yet to fail at getting a pair!
Gassing Station | Goodwood Events | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff