The Earl of March has announced the theme of the 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed, scheduled for July 3–5, as “True Grit—Epic Feats of Endurance” to celebrate the drive and determination of motor racing’s heroes who overcame huge physical, mental, and mechanical barriers in their quest for glory.
Jackie Stewart’s enduring victory at the 1968 German Grand Prix despite a broken wrist, and Mick Doohan’s courageous return to motorcycle racing in 1992 without full use of his right leg, are but two of countless tales of performance far beyond that thought possible for human beings.
Also featured will be centenaries for Bugatti, Audi, and Morgan, as well as half centuries for both Mini and the Daytona Speedway, 40 years since Jackie Stewart’s first World Championship for Matra, plus 60 continuous years of both the Motorcycle World Championship and the most famous endurance race of them all, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The selection of machinery at the 2009 Festival of Speed should be the usual gathering of the world’s finest competition cars and motorcycles, each helping to portray the epic story of winning performance. Bona fide motor racing legends and current stars alike are expected to tackle the celebrated 1.16-mile hillclimb that serves as the Festival’s competitive centerpiece.
Festival-goers will also be able to relish some of the most stylish vehicles ever designed at the Cartier “Style et Luxe” Concours d’Elegance, glimpse into the future of personal transportation at the BP Ultimate FoS-TECH technology pavilion, see many of motor sport’s famous faces up close, witness the exciting sideways action on the Forest Rally Stage, and become a part of the action at the off-road activity fields and Junior Festival of Speed.
Event founder Lord March is enthusiastic about the event: “It will be fabulous to have so many great cars and drivers here at Goodwood to celebrate our endurance theme for 2009. I look forward with much anticipation to seeing some of the great endurance drivers, riders, and machines in action.”
For complete information on this not-to-be-missed event, www.goodwood.co.uk/fos
