Tag Archives: Goodwood

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.

BMW

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2023: MINI Showcases Exciting New Models in the UK

Goodwood. MINI gave attendees of the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2023 a glimpse into the future with the debut of the all-electric MINI Concept Aceman. Visitors were also treated to the limited-edition MINI Cooper SE Convertible, offering electrified open-air driving fun. The festival, which took place in West Sussex, celebrated its thirtieth anniversary as a premier motorsport event. MINI showcased its diverse product portfolio at the festival, including the MINI JCW 1to6 Edition, MINI Concept Aceman, and the strictly limited MINI Cooper SE Convertible.

MINI Thrills at the Hillclimb. The Goodwood Festival of Speed is famous for its close proximity to the public and the exhilarating Hillclimb race past Goodwood House. This unique opportunity allows automotive enthusiasts to witness iconic vehicles and drivers up close. Taking center stage was the MINI John Cooper Works 1to6 Edition, making its British motorsport debut on the challenging Hillclimb. Limited to 999 units, this special edition pays homage to the brand’s motorsport heritage and offers thrilling driving dynamics. Charlie Cooper, grandson of legendary racing car engineer John Cooper, drove the edition car up the track. The Goodwood Hillclimb is considered a demanding benchmark for manufacturers to showcase their vehicles’ performance and the skills of their drivers.

A Sneak Peek into the Future. The MINI Concept Aceman, a concept car showcasing the future of the MINI family, made its UK debut at the festival. This electric vehicle beautifully demonstrated the upcoming designs, interiors, and electric performance of MINI cars.

Limited Edition MINI Cooper SE Convertible at Electric Avenue. In the Electric Avenue section of the festival, visitors had the opportunity to experience the first all-electric MINI Cooper SE Convertible. This limited edition vehicle, with only 150 units available in the UK, showcased the benefits of electric mobility. It is the world’s first emission-free premium convertible in the small car segment and represents the next-generation of all-electric MINI models. With a range of 201 kilometers according to the WLTP test cycle, it makes a significant contribution to the transition to electric vehicles.

After four exhilarating days, both visitors and participants are eagerly anticipating the automotive innovations that will be showcased at next year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

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

Rowan Atkinson Shows Support for Hydrogen Fuel by Driving Toyota GR Yaris H2 at Goodwood

Rowan Atkinson, famously known as Mr. Bean, made an appearance at Goodwood to express his support for alternative fuels. He drove a specially modified Toyota GR Yaris H2, showcasing his enthusiasm for cars and his stance as a strong advocate for the internal combustion engine.

The Toyota GR Yaris H2 Concept, prepared for the Goodwood event, retains its standard turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine. However, the engine management system has been adjusted to allow the car to run on hydrogen. Unlike a fuel cell vehicle, this concept directly injects hydrogen into the engine for internal combustion.

Atkinson, who already owns a regular GR Yaris, found the hydrogen-powered hot hatch to be a “tremendous fun” to drive. He commended Toyota and Formula One for their efforts in preserving the internal combustion engine by utilizing clean alternative fuels. Toyota is currently developing a GR H2 Le Mans prototype that will race on hydrogen fuel in 2026. Formula One plans to transition to hybrid powertrains running sustainable fuels within the same timeframe.

As an early adopter of electric car technology and a graduate in electrical and electronic engineering, Atkinson has become increasingly critical of electric cars. In an article he wrote for the Guardian, he expressed feeling “duped” and encouraged companies to explore alternative fuels like hydrogen to promote the sustainability of the internal combustion engine.

However, Atkinson still appreciates the concept of electric cars; he believes that, despite their heavy and expensive lithium-ion batteries, they are not the all-encompassing solution for the environment that they claim to be. His personal car collection includes notable vehicles such as a McLaren F1, Lancia Delta Integrale HF, and an Acura NSX, in addition to the GR Yaris.

Related Content:

The Toyota GR Yaris emerged as a formidable competitor to the Subaru WRX and Volkswagen GTI upon its release. In its stock form, the GR Yaris boasts a 1.6-liter engine producing 257 horsepower. However, this resilient powerplant can be tuned to reach an astonishing 741 horsepower while preserving its original crankshaft, pistons, and rods.

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.

News

New HiPhi Y makes UK debut at Goodwood’s Electric Avenue

The Chinese premium EV brand HiPhi has unveiled its new Y crossover to the UK public for the first time at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

This is HiPhi’s third production model and its second to be sold in Europe, following the upcoming release of the larger HiPhi X SUV later this year.

The Y is expected to open up new opportunities for the Shanghai-based company, targeting a lower price point and aiming for higher sales volumes compared to the X. It will also serve as the flagship vehicle for HiPhi’s expansion into Europe.

The initial models will be available in a left-hand-drive configuration, with right-hand-drive versions arriving in the UK later.

According to Autocar, the Y will prioritize usability and is estimated to have a range of around 500 miles on a single charge, based on China’s light-duty vehicle test cycle.

With dimensions of 4938mm long, 1958mm wide, and 1658mm tall, the Y is slightly larger than the Tesla Model Y.

It is powered by a 115kWh battery, with an optional smaller 76.6kWh unit. HiPhi has not yet revealed the full specifications for the model, but top-of-the-line versions are expected to offer up to 331bhp.

The Y is HiPhi’s first model to feature a set of rear gullwing doors, adding to its sleek design. It also showcases a front light bar, Y-shaped tail-lights, and a unique alloy wheel design.

Pricing details have not been released yet, but it is expected that the Y will be cheaper than the £75,000 X and Z grand tourer. The company anticipates accepting the first orders by the end of the year.