Goodwood launches 2008 Festival of Speed to great fanfare

To the earth-shaking accompaniment of over 50 competition racing cars and motorcycles firing into life, The Earl of March announced the key attractions due to appear at this year’s Festival of Speed, being held between 11-13 July.

Many top competition cars, motorcycles and road-going supercars due to be at the Festival in July, were gathered in the Park at Goodwood House in West Sussex to celebrate the official unveiling of the plans for the 2008 Festival, now in its 16th year, and firmly established as the world’s greatest celebration of motor sport and automotive culture.

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. 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 for all to see.

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. Famed for the prowess of their off-road vehicles, Land Rover celebrates its 60th anniversary this year with a huge-scale sculpture in front of Goodwood House. The design is still a secret but is sure to pay homage to their illustrious history.

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.’

To order advance tickets, please contact the Ticket Hotline:
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Email: bookings@goodwood.co.uk
On-line: goodwood.co.uk