Lord March announced detailed plans for both the Festival of Speed and the Revival Race meeting at a preview day held at Goodwood House on March 23. Long-time event patron, Sir Stirling Moss, headed a representative group of drivers and vehicles to give a taste of what is expected at the Festival of Speed to be held July 7–9, this year’s event being a little later than usual to fit in with the Formula 1 calendar.
This year’s central theme is “Racing for Glory – A Century of Grand Prix” and at the preview Sir Stirling and Lady Susie Moss donned Edwardian costume, reminiscent of the era of the first-ever Grand Prix race at Le Mans in 1906. Then, as now, Renault was a dominant force and it is fitting that this year’s spectacular central display in front of Goodwood House will feature Renault’s proud history.
The selection of machinery taking to the Goodwood hill in July will include a spectacular array of Grand Prix cars, with every age represented from a 1906 Mercedes and a 1911 FIAT, four Auto Unions and three Mercedes “Silver Arrows,” together with World Championship-winning models from 1950 onward, many driven by their original drivers. Scheduled to appear are World Champions Sir Jack Brabham, John Surtees and Emerson Fittipaldi. They will be joined by Jacky Ickx, Dan Gurney, Jochen Mass, Rene Arnoux, Jacques Lafitte, Jean Alesi, and of course, Sir Stirling Moss. From contemporary Formula 1 will be David Coulthard, Jenson Button, Rubens Barrichello, Giancarlo Fisichella, and possibly current champion, Fernando Alonso.
The Festival of Speed has always had a great contingent from the US and this year Richard Petty will star in his 1975 Dodge Charger. Dan Gurney will make a welcome return to drive his 1967 AAR Eagle-Weslake and a Ford GT40 similar to that in which he won Le Mans. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum will field a 1907 Renault and a rare 1908 Mercedes. To mark 40 Years of Trans-Am, the festival will welcome the title-winning 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302, with hopefully, Parnelli Jones himself at the wheel. Important Indy cars will also make an appearance. The Targa Florio centenary celebrations will bring together many significant cars and some of the world’s factory museums will transport truckloads of vehicles to add to this and the other sub-themes of what should be another memorable festival.
The Revival at the Goodwood Circuit will be held September 1–3 and promises more close racing in a unique period setting. A special parade will honor the career of 1961 World Champion, Phil Hill. As usual, admission to both the Festival of Speed and the Goodwood Revival is by advance ticket only. Book online at www.goodwood.co.uk or telephone +44 1243 755055, fax +44 1243 755058.
by Keith Booker
