Monday 14th April 2008

2008 FoS Announced

Earl of March reveals main attractions of '08 Festival of Speed

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Bond cars - Espirt, DB5, V8 vantage

The Earl of March has announced the key attractions due to appear at this year’s Festival of Speed, being held between 11-13 July.

The festival is now in its 16^th year and as usual there will be a huge display of competition cars, motorcycles and road-going supercars gathered in the Park at Goodwood House in West Sussex.

Joining the Earl of March to outline his plans for the 2008 event were Anthony Hamilton, the father of Formula 1 superstar Lewis, F1 legends Sir Stirling Moss and Jochen Mass, rally giants Rauno Aaltonen and Russell Brookes, BTCC drivers Andy Rouse, Anthony Reid and John Cleland, and motorcycle heroes Michael Rutter and John Reynolds. 

Lampkin coming down Goodwood House stairs

Twelve-time world champion trials rider Dougie Lampkin was also present causing mayhem and mischief, riding over cars, through the House, climbing and descending the staircase, and performing wheelies on the balcony.

The theme of the 2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed, ‘Hawthorn to Hamilton – Britain’s Love Affair with World Motor Sport,’ was represented by the evocative image of Mike Hawthorn’s Ferrari 246 Dino, alongside Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 McLaren-Mercedes MP4/23 F1 car.

Also on display as a taster to the main event was a collection of iconic cars used by Ian Fleming’s creation James Bond in the popular film series.  The actual Gadget-laden cars from films such as ‘Goldfinger’ and ‘From Russia With Love’ will form one of the classes at the ‘Cartier Style et Luxe’ automobile design competition.

The Nissan GT-R made its UK debut, alongside the Land Rover LRX Black which also marked 60 years of the famous Solihull marque. 

Goodwood Festival of Speed founder, Lord March says:  ‘It will be just fantastic to have so many great cars and drivers here at Goodwood to celebrate our theme for 2008. I look forward with much anticipation to seeing some of the great British drivers and British-inspired machines in action.’

[PompeyM3]

Looking forward to this years FOS, Missed last year as I was on honeymoon.
For those of you that have never been, get along it's a great day out if you're a petrolhead )

[neema_T]

I can't wait! Thing is, I've never really understood the point of the theme... I mean, i've only been twice (the most recent two) but as far as I could tell there's just a load of really, really fast cars, and no real theme. Then again the classic F1 cars of last year were quite amazing, and I think that was the theme, wasn't it?

[sprinter885]

Looking forward to it as usual.
p.s. that Lord March -he's one crazy dude ! Fancy having a trials bike comin' down your elaborate mansion staircase. Tut hmmmm.

[crankedup]

Always the pinnicle of the motorsport year, I was lucky to attend the 1st and several since. This event just seems to get better and better. The theme I reckon is to acknowledge the machinery/drivers riders of particular eras.

[markh1]

I have never been, always had to do something else. Determined to go this year though!

Whats the story with bringing a nice car along? Some car shows have seperate parking (not in a muddy field for interesting cars)

[willisit]

Unless you're in the show itself - it's a muddy field - but the car park is usually just as good to walk around as the show itself! Only been going about 8 years myself

[DavidLScott]

markh1 said:

I have never been, always had to do something else. Determined to go this year though!

Don't forget that it is advanced tickets only - no tickets available on the day.
You will probably struggle to get any grandstand seats but if any are available it's worth it just to have somewhere guaranteed to sit down as it's a tiring day if you get there first thing. Definitely to be recommended as being there as the paddock comes to life was great and you don't have to queue to get into the car parks.

[Scottie - NW]

Never been but want to try this one.

I'd appreciate any advice anybody could give in regard to bringing an infant school age child down? He normally comes to Oulton Park and Donnington with me, but it's a long trip from the NW! Any recommendations, are there other young children there?

Thanks.

[Seasider]

Do you think the 24hr Classic being the same weekend will have much affect ??

[motormania]

Scottie - NW said:

Never been but want to try this one.

I'd appreciate any advice anybody could give in regard to bringing an infant school age child down? He normally comes to Oulton Park and Donnington with me, but it's a long trip from the NW! Any recommendations, are there other young children there?

Thanks.

If you are bringing children, I would make sure they have very VERY good ear defenders on as you are able to get right up close with the machinery and trust me, when you are standing 2 feet away from an Auto Union when it fires up - it'll blow your ear-drums out!!!

[chrisbr68]

Think I will look into it this year. Stopped going a few years ago as it was the same thing every year and a bit boring! Do want to see Lewis though.

[chrisbr68]

Doh! Clashes with Le Mans classic

[flattotheboards]

I havent been before, so i want to make this year my first time.

[Broaders]

Its my first year this year!
Anyone got any advice on general stuff like car parks and times to get there? Any advice welcome

[Rich VRS]

this year will be my second time and really looking forward to getting there on friday morning and spending two days there. been a few years since i went but last time i got to sit in a McLaren F1 GTR!!!

[Gizmo535]

Ooh, how tempting... Clashes with the cricket at Lord's mind, not sure about that...

[tscalfa]

chrisbr68 said:

Think I will look into it this year. Stopped going a few years ago as it was the same thing every year and a bit boring! Do want to see Lewis though.

I thought that it got a bit repetitive after going for a couple of years, the last 3 years I've been going to the Revival though which is a bit more exciting as you get to see all of the cars going flat out unlike at the FoS. I think I'm going to the FoS this year though

[DavidLScott]

I've decided to alternate between FOS and the Revival to avoid any threat of repetition.

Parking depends on which way you arrive at Goodwood but it is all well signposted. They do say there is no special parking for low cars but my Chimaera has been fine. on the filed used for A27 arrivals.

[dugsud]

Seasider said:

Do you think the 24hr Classic being the same weekend will have much affect ??

I do think it will have an effect, I know dozens of people that are going to the Classic who would have been at Goodwood including me. If my experience is anything to go by it's bound to effect the numbers.

Bad planning really!

Edited by dugsud on Monday 14th April 19:12

[andyuk911]

Always great ...whatever the weather