Goodwood Festival of Speed 2009

Damon Hill & Lord March kick-off the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2009 Launch with a Mini stuffed with 'Minis'.

After the bad new that the British Motor Show is finally ending its terminal decline by cancelling in 2010 (and probably for good) it’s great to have the launch news for the Goodwood Festival of Speed – a terrific event that is exactly what a ‘Motor Show’ should be. Not static displays of untouchable cars, but great interaction between the visitors and the event.

This years Goodwood Festival of Speed will be held on the weekend of 3rd – 5th July, and offers lots of tempting morsels for the petrol-head. But more than that, it’s actually a good day out for the none petrol-head partner as well. So far less chance of grief from she (or he) who must be obeyed when the time comes to book.

This years event will be celebrating a number of anniversaries, including the 60th anniversary of Le Mans and the 50th birthday of the iconic Mini. Add to that the centenary of Audi, Bugatti and Morgan, and Frank Williams’ 40 years in F1, and you have a whole heap of great displays to hang a handle on.

Lord March has also roped in some legendary drivers to pay tribute to those who fought against the odds to succeed in Motorsport, including Jackie Stewart, Stirling Moss and Jochen Mass. There will also be the world’s biggest gathering of the Porsche 917 racers together with the Mercedes Silver Arrow cars. The Style et Luxe concours d’Elegance will feature the Bugatti Type 57 in honour of Bugatti’s centenary.

Lewis Hamilton gets to come and play in Ayrton Senna’s 1988 McLaren up Goodwood’s famous Festival of Speed hillclimb. And Lewis Hamilton’s charity – The Lewis Hamilton Foundation – will be the Festival’s official Charity for 2009. The LHF focuses on improving the lives and opportunities of children and young people who have a dream and are living in ill health or poverty around the world.

A cracking event, and we’d whole-heartedly recommend it for a great day (or weekend) out.