A staple of the automotive calendar since its 1993 debut, the Goodwood Festival of Speed is one of the world’s premier events for petrolheads.
This year, some of the most successful cars, bikes, drivers and riders from motorsport history are being showcased, with the theme for 2019 being ‘Speed Kings – Motorsport’s record breakers’.
And, while the event was – and is – still very much centred on motor racing, many manufacturers take the opportunity to show off the latest and greatest in motoring at the Festival of Speed. Here’s just some of what to expect from the Festival of Speed this year…
An even more exciting Ford GT
The Ford GT is certainly no slouch, but it seems that some of the power-hungry boffins at Ford Performance simply aren’t content with the standard car.
A teaser for a new variant of Ford’s flagship supercar was released recently, and a reveal is due for the car at Goodwood on Thursday.
It is clear from the teaser shot that this will be a racing-inspired take on the GT, and this is only confirmed by the confirmed presence of team members from Multimatic, the racing team behind Ford’s recent Le Mans successes, at the reveal.
The Rapture cometh
RAPTURE – Where the track meets the road…
Join us at stand 503, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed for our global dynamic launch on Thursday 4th July 2019. Alternatively, you can watch the big reveal via our online live-stream at https://t.co/iTECITwx1O#theraptureiscoming #FOS pic.twitter.com/XKbS6ZkEng
— Radical (@RadicalCarsUK) June 24, 2019
Radical has become an established name on the more track-focused end of the sportscar spectrum, and the new road and circuit ready Rapture model is looking to enhance that.
The teaser image that has been revealed suggests that this car will borrow some cues from the RXC Coupe already built by the firm, but – in a first for Radical – it will be powered by a turbocharged engine.
Timed shootout
Sunday is perhaps the best day for fans of cars with stripes and numbers on the doors, as the timed shootout sees teams wheel out everything from pre-war racers to spaceship-esque electric vehicles.
Indeed, it is the electric cars that are expected to be the kings of the climb this year, with Romain Dumas set to take the wheel of the Volkswagen ID.R that won the event in 2018, and all-time course record holder Nick Heidfeld taking the wheel of his Mahindra Formula E car.
Concours
As is so often the case at this event, there are just as many immaculate cars on display as there are on the course.
The most painstakingly maintained cars of all will be seen at the Style et Luxe Cartier Lawn, where expert judges will determine a winner from a stellar selection of classic and vintage vehicles.
Michael Schumacher’s cars and rivals
On the year of his 50thbirthday, and the 25thanniversary of his first World Championship victory in 1994, Michael Schumacher is to be celebrated at the event.
While the seven-time champion cannot be there himself as a consequence of his on-going recovery from a 2013 skiing accident, two of his greatest rivals – Damon Hill and Mika Häkkinen – will be on hand, as will a number of Formula One cars from his career at the top of the sport.
Aston Martin sculpture
The sculpture in front of the Goodwood house has become one of the most anticipated features of the event, and this year, it is Aston Martin that takes the honour of being showcased on the Duke of Richmond’s front lawn.
Aston Martin road and race cars will also be on display and on the hill climb, as the firm celebrates 60 years since its first Le Mans victory.
Aston isn’t the only brand marking an anniversary at Goodwood, either; Bentley will continue its centenary celebrations at the show, weeks on from a spectacular parade at Le Mans.
New ‘arena’ area
While the strictly sideways, extreme drivers of the world seemed an odd match for the stately home setting of Goodwood, the antics of Ken Block, Terry Grant and Vaughn Gittin Jr have become an unmissable part of the event.
This year, all of the above drivers and a host of other tire-smoking adrenaline junkies will show off in the new ‘arena’ at the event, adding yet another dimension to the Festival of Speed.