Goodwood Festival of Speed - Championships and a tragic reminder (From Daily Echo)

Goodwood Festival of Speed - Championships and a tragic reminder

2:39pm Friday 19th March 2010 in

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VIVA VELOCE – The Passion for Speed is the theme for this year’s 18th Goodwood Festival of Speed, to reflect and celebrate the fascination with motor racing, and in particular Italy’s global influence on the sport.

From Alfa Romeo to MV Agusta, Ascari to Agostini, and Monza to the Mille Miglia, Italians have raced with breathtaking fervour, inspiring desire and devotion that transcends national identity.

But the Festival of Speed has many facets, much to celebrate, including the 50th anniversary of John Surtees’ first car race win at the nearby Goodwood circuit.

Sadly this year’s event is close to the first anniversary of racer son Henry’s tragic death in a freak accident. As a result this year’s festival charity is Headway, the head injuries charity.

MOVING MOTOR SHOW The ‘weekend’ will start this year on Thursday, July 1, with the new ‘Moving Motor Show’.

At this inaugural event held within the grounds of Goodwood Park as a significant addition to the annual Festival of Speed new car buyers will be able to enjoy an exclusive motor show preview day. The cars will undertake hundreds of runs on a special evaluation route that includes the world famous Goodwood hillclimb, following in the wheel tracks of many celebrated racing drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and Sir Stirling Moss.

MODERN MOTOR SPORT Formula One – six of the current 2010 teams have already confirmed their attendance at Goodwood, along with a number of this season’s drivers, including the reigning World Champion Jenson Button.

WRC – Six-time World Rally Champion Sebastian Loeb is already confirmed for the Festival, sliding his dominant Citroen C4 WRC around Goodwood’s demanding Forest Rally Stage. American star Ken Block will also be present, making his Festival debut in his wild 800bhp Ford Fiesta. A host of other rally stars and cars, past and present, will also be seen in action throughout the event.

Motorcycles – Biking legend Agostini and Festival first-timer Kevin Schwantz are just two of the many leading names due to take to the Goodwood Hill on two wheels in July. Twelve-times World Trials Champion Dougie Lampkin will also be making a welcome return to the festival, running amok throughout the event.

To get a flavour of Dougie’s antics, visit goodwood.com /dougielampkin.

NASCAR – Top NASCAR guy Michael Waltrip will be on hand, along with an impressive line-up of these thunderous American racers, including the wild Toyota Tundra Craftsman Truck.

Alfa Romeo Centenary: This legendary Italian marque celebrates it centenary at the festival with a striking automotive ‘sculpture’ in front of Goodwood House. Expect to see over 50 important Alfa Romeos at the event, including the UK debut of the new Giulietta model.

ANNIVERSARIES 60 Years of Formula One World Championship – The 2010 Festival of Speed will celebrate F1’s 60th anniversary with a momentous gathering of cars and drivers illustrating many of the key moments in the formula’s rich and varied history.

60 Years of Carrera Panamericana – Goodwood’s celebration of 60 years of the Carrera Panamericana class is sure to be one of the most evocative ever to grace the festival.

50 Years of Forest Stages on the RAC Rally – 2010 marks 50 years since rally cars took to the forests of Britain for the first time on the RAC Rally. The Goodwood Forest Rally Stage will celebrate the rich history of the RAC, with a sensational gathering of cars and drivers, including many former winners.

50 Years of the Bathurst ‘Great Race’: The Bathurst 1000 is the undoubted highlight of the Australian motor sport year. On show will be a selection of the thundering saloons.

Cars, Stars and Guitars: A rarely-seen collection of distinctive customised cars owned by some of the world’s leading guitarists (such as Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons and leading American blue’s player Jimmy Vaughan) are planned to be displayed at the festival, along with each musicians signature guitar.