Tag Archives: Festival

Motorsport

Ride Shotgun In The Mercedes-AMG One During Wet Goodwood Hill Climb

At this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, a stealthy AMG One took to the course on a wet surface. Behind the wheel was Bernd Schneider, a five-time DTM champion and AMG brand ambassador. Riding shotgun was a Youtuber known as Rana, who is an avid collector of high-end cars and is set to receive the F1-engined hypercar when it is released.

The AMG One was joined by a Lamborghini Revuelto and a 2024 AMG GT Coupe that had a minor incident. Despite its small 1.6-liter V6 engine, the matte black electrified supercar sounded incredible, especially in race mode. This engine, adapted from Formula 1, has an 11,000 rpm redline and remains loud even at idle speed.


Motorsport

Porsche 911 GT1 Crashes at Goodwood Festival of Speed, Losing Rear Wing and Engine Cover

This year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed not only showcased high-speed racing, but also witnessed several unfortunate crashes. Among them, two legendary race cars from the 1990s, the Porsche 911 GT1 and McLaren F1 GTR, encountered mishaps while tackling the hill climb section. Videos recorded by spectators captured the moments when both iconic endurance race cars lost control and suffered minor damages. It’s important to note that these were the genuine, original vehicles, not replicas.

The Porsche 911 GT1, with racing number 26, is the Le Mans-winning race car from 1998. Driven by Laurent Aïello, Allan McNish, and Stéphane Ortelli, it triumphed after 24 hours of racing, completing 351 laps – one more than another 911 GT1. This victorious endurance racer made an appearance at this year’s Goodwood Festival to celebrate Le Mans’ centenary. Unfortunately, the driver lost not only the car’s rear physically but also metaphorically.

Initially, the Porsche 911 GT1 lost its rear wing when it collided with hay. However, video footage later revealed that the car was also missing its engine cover. Both substantial body parts were then collected and placed in a trailer, which was towed by a Toyota Proace van. It appears that Porsche shouldn’t encounter any difficulties in reattaching these components to the race car.

In a coincidental turn of events, another endurance machine from the same era experienced a minor accident. The McLaren F1 GTR, labeled with the racing number 60, belonged to Team Lark and participated in the Japanese Grand Touring Championship (JGTC). During the 1996 season, it emerged victorious in the inaugural race at Suzuka, achieving a one-two finish for the McLaren F1 GTR. The car continued its winning streak, claiming additional victories at Sportsland SUGO and Mine Circuit.

The BMW V12-powered McLaren F1 GTR demonstrated its “tail-happy” nature at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Although the damage is likely minor, the cost of repairs for this specialized vehicle is expected to be substantial. It’s highly likely that we will see this legendary race car at future events, but it’s safe to assume that the insurance company is not pleased.

As mentioned earlier, this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed saw a number of accidents. Notably, an unreleased second-generation Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe, a classic Jaguar, and a Hyundai RN22e were involved in incidents. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

News

Highlights, Gallery, and Report of the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed

The 30th edition of the Goodwood Festival of Speed showcased an impressive mix of road and competition cars, featured exciting new reveals, and dealt with the unpredictable British weather.

Keep reading for a detailed report of the show and a comprehensive roundup of all the new vehicles that made an appearance.

Report on the Goodwood Festival of Speed

It’s safe to say that there are no boring cars anymore.

Every new car, regardless of how ordinary, extravagant, uniquely styled, expensive, loud, heavy, or unconventional it may be, is of great interest to someone. While some cars capture the attention of a larger audience, the 30th running of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, affected by the weather, proved that all cars deserve to be celebrated, or at the very least, discussed.

When the shiny new “First Glance” cars hit the hill for the first time, a highlight of the festival every year and the busiest hour for the Autocar team, the sense of variety and fascination was undeniable. Not a single car failed to invite intrigue and conversation.

One car that mesmerized the crowds was McLaren’s roar-inducing Solus track car, powered by a screaming V10 engine. It topped a diverse collection of road and race cars and claimed bragging rights in Sunday’s Timed Shootout.

The cartoonish Bugatti Bolide also made an unforgettable impression as its thunderous W16 engine propelled it up the climb with incredible speed. However, spectators couldn’t help but be curiously intrigued by Kia’s new seven-seat EV9 SUV, the Ineos Grenadier fuel cell prototype, the Ford Explorer crossover, and the MG 4 XPower hatchback. These vehicles, while less exotic, made their mark with the screech of tires and the gentle hum of electric motors.

This wasn’t the first time that electric vehicles made an appearance at Goodwood, but their presence was welcomed rather than resented. Although the hillclimb event may have been quieter this year with an equal number of combustion-engined and electric entrants, any lingering resentment toward the electric vehicles was rare to find.

The prevailing themes of this year’s festival were the embrace of variety and experimentation as manufacturers warmly adopted emerging propulsion technologies and diversified their vehicle offerings.

However, there will always be staunch traditionalists who find solace in the incomparable blend of classic road, race, and rally cars that continue to captivate enthusiasts with their raw sensory appeal, be it the unburned four-star fuel or the unfiltered exhaust notes.

Porsche celebrated its 75th birthday at the Festival, showcasing legendary Le Mans cars, Dakar dominators, and streamlined mid-century sports cars that were shipped over from Stuttgart. These iconic vehicles, along with the vast range of vintage racers, ultra-exclusive supercars, Formula 1 stars, and Group B heroes, provided endless entertainment for fans of all ages throughout the festival.

News

Past And Present MotoGP Icons Grace The 2023 Goodwood Festival Of Speed

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is an annual motorsports event that celebrates the rich legacy of motor racing while embracing the modern era. The festival showcases historic vehicles and pays homage to the passion and camaraderie that define the world of motorsports.

The 2023 festival featured the presence of past and present MotoGP icons, adding excitement to the otherwise serene atmosphere of the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex, England. The sound of classic and modern race bikes reverberated throughout the festival, captivating the attention of spectators.

Past And Present MotoGP Icons Grace The 2023 Goodwood Festival Of Speed
Past And Present MotoGP Icons Grace The 2023 Goodwood Festival Of Speed

Despite the wet weather, both past and present MotoGP icons showcased their skills on the track. Pol Espargaro, Michele Pirro, Mika Kallio, and Lorenzo Savadori were among the riders who displayed the 2023 lineup of race bikes, representing GasGas Factory Racing, Ducati Lenovo Racing Team, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, and Aprilia Racing, respectively.

The following day focused on the legends and icons who have shaped MotoGP. The highlight was the appearance of Casey Stoner, who rode his iconic Ducati Desmosedici GP with the Number 1 livery from the 2008 season. Stoner’s presence evoked nostalgia and reminded fans of the excitement during the peak of MotoGP. Other notable icons who joined the event included Kevin Schwants, Wayne Gardner, Randy Mamola, and Kenny Roberts Jr.

News

Goodwood Festival of Speed Sunday to Proceed After Saturday Cancellation

The final day of the Goodwood Festival of Speed will go ahead on Sunday, according to event organizers. This decision comes after the cancellation of Saturday’s events due to a weather warning for high winds, which marks the first time in the event’s history that a day has been canceled.

In a statement, the Festival of Speed organizers confirmed that “the event is going ahead as planned”. However, they emphasized that only spectators with Sunday tickets should attend. The event is completely sold out for Sunday, and Saturday ticket holders will not be granted entry.

For Sunday, the forecast currently predicts sunny intervals with a slight chance of rain and a “fresh breeze”.

Reasons for the Saturday Cancellation

Event organizers officially notified ticket holders, manufacturers, and exhibitors late on Friday evening about the decision to cancel Saturday’s events. This decision was made in response to a severe weather warning from the Met Office, forecasting high winds with gusts of up to 50mph. The Goodwood Festival of Speed venue includes wooded areas as well as multiple temporary structures.

A statement on the Festival of Speed website explained the cancellation: “It is with deep regret that we have taken the decision that the Goodwood Festival of Speed will not go ahead today (Saturday 15 July 2023). After consulting meteorologists, health and safety experts, and other key stakeholders, we have decided to close the event site due to a severe wind warning in the Goodwood area.

“On-site safety is our highest priority, and the projected high winds would pose a serious risk to various temporary structures across the site. We kindly ask that you do not travel to Goodwood or attempt to access the site.

“This decision was not made lightly, and His Grace, The Duke of Richmond, along with the entire Festival of Speed team, deeply regrets that we will not be running the event on Saturday for the first time in its 30-year history.”

Exhibitors were instructed to secure their stands in preparation for the site shutdown from 11am. Festivalgoers staying at the campsite were allowed to remain but were advised to exercise extreme caution due to the conditions.

The organizers anticipated that the winds would ease by the evening, and the annual Goodwood Ball, which marks the festival’s 30th anniversary this year, proceeded as planned.

Saturday ticket holders will receive refunds in the coming days.

Poor weather conditions persisted at the Sussex event on Friday, resulting in the cancellation of the scheduled Red Arrows display and heavy rain throughout the afternoon. As a result, there were some delays for drivers leaving the event’s car parks.

Motorsport

Bugatti Bolide Makes Spectacular Appearance at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed

Bugatti unveiled its highly-anticipated track-focused hypercar, the Bolide, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this week, showcasing its extraordinary performance in the challenging 1.16-mile hill climb. With its official launch scheduled for early next year, this event served as the Bolide’s public debut in the United Kingdom, following extensive testing at the renowned Le Mans circuit a month ago.

Taking part in the Batch 6a Supercar Run, the Bugatti Bolide was driven by the accomplished factory driver, Andy Wallace. Wallace, who has claimed victories at major endurance races like the 24 Hours of Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring, and 24 Hours of Le Mans (known as the Triple Crown of endurance racing), expressed his excitement after completing his first run of the Goodwood Hillclimb. He stated, “To have the opportunity to drive this incredibly focused and motorsport-inspired Bugatti at the Festival of Speed, along the iconic road where spectators are close to the action, is an unparalleled and unforgettable experience.”


Motorsport

Czinger Unveils 21C V Max in Stunning Golden State of Mind Color at Goodwood

Czinger has introduced the 21C V Max in Europe for the first time at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. It comes in a vibrant orange shade known as the “Golden State of Mind,” paying homage to the California poppy, the state flower, and celebrating the birthplace of the hypercar brand.

The V Max is the high-speed version of Czinger’s inaugural production car, the 21C, which achieved lap records at both Laguna Seca and the Circuit of the Americas. This model boasts a hybrid powertrain developed in-house by the company. It includes a 2.88-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that can generate an impressive 1,350 horsepower.


News

Goodwood Festival of Speed cancelled on Saturday due to high winds

The penultimate day of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, scheduled for tomorrow, has been cancelled due to a weather warning for high winds, according to official confirmation. Concerns over heavy winds had already cast doubt on whether Saturday’s event would proceed, and sources earlier in the evening confirmed its cancellation. Festival organizers have now officially informed ticketholders, manufacturers, and exhibitors of the decision to close the gates.

A statement on the Festival of Speed website expressed regret over the decision and cited the severe wind warning in the Goodwood area as the reason. The safety of all on-site was highlighted as the utmost priority, with the forecasted high winds posing a significant risk to temporary structures across the site. Attendees were politely asked not to travel to Goodwood or attempt to access the site. It was noted that this was the first time in its 30-year history that the event would not take place on a Saturday.

Exhibitors were instructed to secure their stands ahead of the site shutdown, which is scheduled for 11am tomorrow. Festivalgoers staying at the campsite were allowed to remain but were advised to exercise caution given the conditions. The organizers expected the winds to have subsided by tomorrow evening, allowing the annual Goodwood Ball to proceed as planned from 7pm.

Sunday’s final day, which is forecasted to have little to no rain, is still scheduled to run as planned. However, it was emphasized that Sunday is completely sold out, and Saturday ticketholders will not be granted entry. They will receive a refund in the coming days.

Friday’s weather conditions at the event in Sussex were unfavorable, with the planned Red Arrows display being cancelled and heavy rain persisting throughout the afternoon. As a result, there were some delays for drivers leaving the event’s car parks.

Featured

Lamborghini’s Goodwood VIP Lounge Had Race Cars And More

Automobili Lamborghini recently made a grand splash at the 30th anniversary of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, marking a double celebration that also highlighted Lamborghini’s milestone 60th anniversary. Known for its fusion of luxury and performance, the Italian automaker showcased the future of high-performance vehicles, featuring its new Lamborghini LMDH prototype – a stunning hybrid racing car.

Lamborghini, famed for its commitment to combining design, technology, and performance, once again proved its knack for innovation at Goodwood 2023. The spotlight was on the LMDH prototype, a testament to the company’s move towards electrification. With Chairman and CEO Stephan Winkelmann underscoring the brand’s commitment to electrification and sustainability, the hybrid racecar echoed the automotive giant’s strategic plans for the future.

Lamborghini further stirred the Goodwood crowd with its Revuelto and Huracán Sterrato models. The Revuelto, the first Super Sports plug-in hybrid equipped with a V12 engine and Lamborghini’s new flagship supercar, impressed onlookers with its groundbreaking power and performance. In contrast, the Huracán Sterrato showcased its off-road capabilities, highlighting Lamborghini’s versatility in producing both high-performance street and off-road vehicles. The company also showcased a wide range of Huracán models, such as the track-ready STO, the versatile Tecnica, and the open-air Huracán EVO Spyder.

The Lamborghini VIP Lounge served as a hub for special guests, including IMSA President John Doonan and Iron Lynx founder Andrea Piccini. These exclusive gatherings allowed the automaker to discuss its commitment to competing in the prestigious Hypercar races, including the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed will go down in history as a monumental event for Lamborghini and its fans. The presentation of the Lamborghini LMDH prototype and the Lamborghini Revuelto, coupled with an extraordinary showcase of vintage and contemporary cars, truly embodied the brand’s commitment to performance, innovation, and automotive excellence. The festival was a testament to Lamborghini’s illustrious history and a promise of an exciting future for its passionate following.

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Lamborghini Goodwood

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Motorsport

Ford Unveils Mustang Mach-E Rally at Goodwood with Plans for Sale

Ford surprised attendees at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year with the debut of the Mustang Mach-E Rally. This new model marks the first time in almost 60 years that the Mustang name has been associated with rallying.

The Mustang Mach-E Rally is designed to venture where no Mustang has gone before – off-road, where the asphalt ends and the dirt road begins. It is Ford’s first rally-inspired electric SUV.

Although Ford has not released any specific details about the vehicle yet, several photos have been unveiled. These photos show the Mustang Mach-E Rally adorned with a custom full body wrap featuring “Mach-E Rally” decals on the sides.

A closer look at the images reveals several interesting features, including a rally-style roof spoiler with white Mustang logos on each side, a custom faux grille with additional round lights, a red tow hook at the front, white rally-style wheels with BF Goodrich Trail Terrain T/A tires, and mud guards.

The front and rear bumpers appear similar to those on the Mustang Mach-E GT. Inside, the Mach-E Rally closely resembles the Mach-E GT, but with the addition of cream elements on the front seat backs, steering wheel, and dashboard, as well as carbon fiber-like trim on the lower part of the dash.