The Goodwood Festival of Speed used to be the best kept secret in motor sport. Not any more. Since its inception in 1993 the crowds have steadily grown as have the variety and number of machines on display. From Formula One racers to rally cars and gleaming supercars no other event offers such an enticing menu for petrolheads.
And no other motoring event lets you get as close to the cars and the drivers. Despite the growth of the three-day event it has managed to retain the informal air of a summer garden party - albeit with a V12 soundtrack.
Drivers of yesteryear such as Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jackie Stewart and Sir Jack Brabham mingle freely with young contenders such as Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg, and unlike Formula One with its myriad enclosures and VIP passes, at Goodwood you are as likely to find yourself standing trackside next to David Coulthard or Nigel Mansell as you are a member of the Ford Capri owners' club. There is always a sprinkling of celebrities, too, with Jeremy Clarkson, George Lucas, the Star Wars director, and Ewan McGregor among past attendees.
It is also the only event of its kind that lets you see the cars and bikes doing what they were designed for: going flat out on the track.
The centrepiece of the festival is a hillclimb where cars race one another in a time trial. The route is a 1.16 mile course lined with straw bales and grandstands that cuts through the heart of the Goodwood estate. The record for the run is 41.6sec, achieved seven years ago in a McLaren MP4/13, but most cars take a little longer.
Advertisement
In reality the competitive spirit takes second place to a relaxed air of having fun. As the cars blast off from the southern end of the park before roaring along the straight in front of Goodwood House the drivers will be concentrating more on spectacular getaways than the best time.
This year the theme of the festival is Racing for Glory - a Century of Grands Prix in homage to the first grand prix, which took place in France in June 1906. It was won by Renault, one of the sponsors of this year's event, and the main display outside Goodwood House will celebrate the French company's involvement in motor sport over the years, culminating in its present position as F1 world champion.
There will be eight current Formula One teams there in total, including Toyota, Red Bull, and BMW with its latest V8-powered car. Ferrari will be showing an ex-Michael Schumacher 2004 car, McLaren-Mercedes will have this season's car, driven by the up and coming driver Gary Paffett, and Williams-Cosworth will show its machine driven by Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg. Honda will also be taking on the hillclimb with Jenson Button behind the wheel.
But it's not all about motor sport. The festival has gained a reputation for being able to attract some of the most exotic supercars of the age and this year is no different. Visitors will get the chance to see the most talked about car of the year in action for the first time.
The Bugatti Veyron will line up in the Sunday Times Driving Supercar Paddock alongside rivals such as the Ferrari 599 - seen in Britain for the first time - and the 640bhp Lamborghini Murciélago. The paddock will also be the setting for the world debut of the Jaguar XKR - a supercharged version of the beautiful XK - as well as the Caparo T1 hypercar, potentially quicker than the Veyron with a claimed 0-100mph time of 5sec.
This year also sees a new and improved forest rally stage next to the finish line for the hillclimb. More than 30 rally stars and their cars will compete in timed laps of the route as well as celebrating the life of Richard Burns, England's only World Rally Champion, who died last year.
A spectacular display of Trans-Am and Can-Am cars have also been shipped over from America for the festival and the legendary Nascar champion Richard Petty will put in a special appearance behind the wheel of his 200mph Dodge Charger.
Meanwhile pre-war Bugattis, and historic Ferraris and Porsches will be heading up the hill to celebrate the centenary of the first Targa Florio - the madcap race around the narrow roads of Sicily that ended in 1977 but still lives on in the memories of those who witnessed it.
In addition to horsepower and history the festival is about having fun and to that end the organisers have pulled out all the stops to make sure that no one feels left out.
The junior festival of speed includes the Incredible Goodwood Create-A-Car Competition, where children are challenged to draw their dream car with the winning design brought to life at the Goodwood Revival in September. The winner is taken around the circuit by Sir Stirling Moss in the finished car.
There is a big-top circus offering face painting and Punch and Judy as well as driving simulators and demonstrations of radical inline skating and skateboarding. Look out also for the Wacky Racers - recreations of the vehicles from the cartoon series that chug up the hill in the afternoon.
Despite all the action the festival retains an intimate atmosphere, with families picnicking on the lawn by Goodwood House to the sound of a jazz band and the roar of supercars heading out for their turn on the hill. If you are thinking of going, there are only two things that you need to make it one of the most memorable trips of summer: a camera and an autograph pad.
THE ESSENTIALS
What The Festival of Speed claims to be the world's biggest celebration of motor sport
When It runs from Friday July 7 to Sunday July 9 starting at 10am on Friday and 9am on Saturday and Sunday and finishing at around 6pm
Where Goodwood House, four miles north of Chichester
Tickets Advanced booking only, from the box office 01243 755 055, online at www.goodwood.co.uk, or e-mail bookings@goodwood.co.uk
How much Admission for adults is £22 on Friday, £40 on Saturday and £45 on Sunday, or £88 for a three-day pass. Children under 12 go free