Famous motorcycles and riders gather at Festival of Speed
This year’s Festival of Speed (2-4 July) is set to be a great event for lovers of two wheels, as Goodwood brings together a record number of competition motorcycles and many of the most talented riders ever to have graced the world stage.
The array of famous motorcycles and world-class riders at the Festival of Speed has become an integral part of the event for all motor sport enthusiasts, and this year to celebrate the main Festival theme – Viva Veloce, The Passion for Speed – there will be a selection of delectable Italian machinery, such as the ex-Phil Read 1974 MV Agusta 500/4, the Cagiva C591 of Eddie Lawson and ex-Loris Capirossi Ducati GP5 ‘Desmosedici’. Great Italian World Champions, including 15-time World Champion Giacomo Agostini, will also be in attendance.
The contemporary focus falls directly on the ultra-competitive World Superbike Championship and in particular, the influx of British talent. With riders from the UK making up almost a quarter of the field – and running right at the sharp end – this year’s Festival will illustrate the strength in depth of British riding talent. Current championship leader Leon Haslam will be present with his factory outfit, Team Suzuki Alstare. Reigning British Superbike Champion Leon Camier will also be attending with his new Aprilia Alitalia Racing team.
Other British title hopefuls attending will include two-time World Champion James Toseland from the successful Yamaha Sterilgada team, and likeable Yorkshire lad Tom Sykes, on board a classic Kawasaki.
The World Superbike Championship’s predecessor, Formula 750, will also be an area of focus for this year’s event. Won by the late, great Barry Sheene in 1973, the series was extremely popular during the 1970s in both America and Europe. Expected are great machines such as the ex-Patrick Pons 1979 Yamaha 750 TZ Sonauto, the ex-Randy Mamola 1977 Yamaha TZ 750 and the Rouen-winning Triumph Trident of Ron Chandler.
The spectacular Red Bull X-Fighters freestyle motocross riders will also be in action at the Festival on Saturday and Sunday. Four riders from this, the most prestigious and challenging form of freestyle motocross, will be performing around the Goodwood Cricket Pitch on a purpose-built course.
Twelve-time World Trials Champion Dougie Lampkin will also be making a much anticipated return to the Festival of Speed, causing chaos throughout the whole event as he rides his Beta EVO over, through or on all manner of obstacles. Dougie’s most recent exploits can be seen in Episode 2 of Dougie vs Goodwood at goodwood.com. Top Irish stunt rider and recent BMW Motorrad UK signing Mattie Griffin will be making his Goodwood debut performing jaw-dropping tricks on the hillclimb to delight Festival-goers.
The world’s most expensive and powerful road-going motorcycle will make its world public debut at Goodwood too; the amazing Icon Sheene superbike, due to be ridden by Barry Sheene’s son Freddie.
This year’s Festival of Speed promises to be a fantastic weekend that simply can not be missed!
For tickets to the 2010 Festival of Speed, visit goodwood.com.
