How good is the "Goodwood Festival of Speed" ?
Discussion
Righty oh!
I have heard a lot about it - mostly good things - and I am thinking about joining the party. The rather good websites provides plenty of useful information but can obviously not be relied upon for objective advice. So, I am calling upon the cumulated wisdom and experience of all PHers:
- It costs quite a bit of money, so is it worth?
- There are several stands / viewpoints available - which one do you reckon is the best?
- Is it possible to wander around and get close to the machines / pilots (in a similar way to GT/GTO Racing)?
- Any advice on getting there / car park?
- Is TVR usually represented?
- The festival is over several days, which day(s) are the best?
- Does the TVRCC have any sort of TVR-only car park, a stand?
- And finally can I expect a massive PH turnout?
Ta!
Roms
I have heard a lot about it - mostly good things - and I am thinking about joining the party. The rather good websites provides plenty of useful information but can obviously not be relied upon for objective advice. So, I am calling upon the cumulated wisdom and experience of all PHers:
- It costs quite a bit of money, so is it worth?
- There are several stands / viewpoints available - which one do you reckon is the best?
- Is it possible to wander around and get close to the machines / pilots (in a similar way to GT/GTO Racing)?
- Any advice on getting there / car park?
- Is TVR usually represented?
- The festival is over several days, which day(s) are the best?
- Does the TVRCC have any sort of TVR-only car park, a stand?
- And finally can I expect a massive PH turnout?
Ta!
Roms
I haven't been for a few years, but have found that each year I was more removed from both the track and the drivers. Once, if you were a member of a recognised car club, you could get into a privileged carpark right next to the track, but no more. On my last visit, I found that I could just about see the top of the cars as they sped past, and the padock was packed even on the Saturday (a victim of its own success)...forget about getting a good picture from the trackside - you're too far away, and the F1 drivers resided in their hospitality tents only appearing when it was time for them to drive, and even then, they virtually ran to their cars almost in an attempt to avoid signing autographs. Having said that, some drivers/riders (e.g. Tony Brooks, John Surtees, Barry Sheen, Phil Hill & Derek Bell come to mind) were very obliging when it came to signing programmes and chatting etc,. essential for young kids like my son at the time) and we stood right next to Gwyndaff Evans for some minutes watching the rally stage before asking for his autograph. It's a good day with excellent machinery (bring good wellies if it looks like rain...it gets VERY muddy!), but as it was, for many, the only chance to get right next to an F1 car being fired up or to gain a much sought-after autograph, if the trend I experienced continues, what will be the appeal?
If a more recent visitor can assure me things are better, I may return.
If a more recent visitor can assure me things are better, I may return.
As our friend says above, the GFoS is becoming a victim of its own success, and like Viz Magazine, you think it is not a good as it used to be. When I first went in '95 it was the 2nd or 3rd running of the event and it was excellent. I've been a couple of times since, the last time in 2000, and the crowds are huge, unless you get a grandstand seat you can't see much unless you are 7' tall as the crowds are several people deep along the haybales.
You can still get close up to the cars in the 'cattle sheds' in the paddock.
There are loads of stalls and car displays as well and you can spend most of the day looking at these. When I last went I spent the Saturday walking through the paddock and looking at the stalls and the Sunday sat in a grandstand watching the action.
You can still get close up to the cars in the 'cattle sheds' in the paddock.
There are loads of stalls and car displays as well and you can spend most of the day looking at these. When I last went I spent the Saturday walking through the paddock and looking at the stalls and the Sunday sat in a grandstand watching the action.
quote:
Having said that, some drivers/riders (e.g. Tony Brooks, John Surtees, Barry Sheen, Phil Hill & Derek Bell come to mind) were very obliging when it came to signing programmes and chatting etc.
Must be another Phil Hill then, 'cos I've not been yet despite it being only 30 mins from the folks place !!
The GFoS is my favorite event of the year, although I agree the crowds are getting worse each year. Unless you turn up early and get a place near the straw bales at the side of the hill, you're unlikely to see much action.
However, for me, the great thrill is to be able to see and hear such brilliant cars at such close quarters in the paddock. I can spend all day wondering around quite happily (with the sprinting going on in the background).
I've always been on Saturday's before, and last year paid extra for grandstand seats. Not sure this was worth it as we were a bit "remote" from the action - but at least you can see the cars on the hill.
Probably going on the Friday this year (with any luck it'll be a bit quieter).
One thing's for sure - I wouldn't miss it for the world.
The Goodwood Revival rates a close second (it's held at the race-track, not Lord March's front lawn). Here you can see some excellent racing and get a good view too.
However, for me, the great thrill is to be able to see and hear such brilliant cars at such close quarters in the paddock. I can spend all day wondering around quite happily (with the sprinting going on in the background).
I've always been on Saturday's before, and last year paid extra for grandstand seats. Not sure this was worth it as we were a bit "remote" from the action - but at least you can see the cars on the hill.
Probably going on the Friday this year (with any luck it'll be a bit quieter).
One thing's for sure - I wouldn't miss it for the world.
The Goodwood Revival rates a close second (it's held at the race-track, not Lord March's front lawn). Here you can see some excellent racing and get a good view too.
Agree with Twin Turbo, its great if you've never been and some of the machinery is awesome. Having followed motorsport since F1 cars had engines in the front (that dates me) it brings back memories of cars I hadn't seen for decades. Being in the paddock when a 1960s Honda flat 12 F1 is fired up. . . strewth!
I go on the Friday which means you don't see everything in action up the hill, but the crowds are far less and I have got some reasonable action shots from beside the straw bales. I had thought about going on Saturday but when I saw the attendance figures for last year its going to be a Friday again this year. And the ride there across country is pure joy.
I go on the Friday which means you don't see everything in action up the hill, but the crowds are far less and I have got some reasonable action shots from beside the straw bales. I had thought about going on Saturday but when I saw the attendance figures for last year its going to be a Friday again this year. And the ride there across country is pure joy.
bikerkeith - You're right about the trip down there. The road I use takes you through some excellent scenery and just adds to the pleasure of the day.
I will never forget being deafened by JPM giving the Williams F1 car a damned good revving in the paddock too! Although one of the old Mercedes GP cars in front of the house has to be the loudest thing I've ever heard. People certainly jumped when it spat 2ft flames from it's exhaust!
It's also fun to spot the celebs too. I spotted Patrick Le Quement, but Mrs Twin Turbo was more interested in Anthony Edwards (Dr Green in ER). Oh, I also had a pee next to Tiff Needell (strange claim to fame!)
I will never forget being deafened by JPM giving the Williams F1 car a damned good revving in the paddock too! Although one of the old Mercedes GP cars in front of the house has to be the loudest thing I've ever heard. People certainly jumped when it spat 2ft flames from it's exhaust!
It's also fun to spot the celebs too. I spotted Patrick Le Quement, but Mrs Twin Turbo was more interested in Anthony Edwards (Dr Green in ER). Oh, I also had a pee next to Tiff Needell (strange claim to fame!)
I went last year, having been to the Revival race meeting a few times and really enjoyed it, so I thought I'd go and see what the fuss was about the FoS. I really enjoyed the day and have got tickets again for this year. It's more of a day out for petrol-heads rather than a "watch the race" type thing, to be honest I was happy just strolling round the stands and displays, looking at all the cars in the paddock and on display in the concours, but I think my wife got a bit bored. I watched some of the hill climb, I thought you could see OK from the open wooden stands along the route near the bridge also I stood by the fence at the paddock entry/exit for a while which was a good place to see the action. Didn't bother with the soap box things as it seemed a long walk - lazy or what! Oh and the Red Arrows display was pretty awsome! Lazed around the Lawn for a while listening to the Jazz. Going on Sunday this year. Rich...
It is an "absolute must" if you have petrol in your veins like me! Been for the last 3 years in a row courtesy of my accountant who has the same interest in motorsport. Never,will you get so close to cars you can only dream of getting close to normally and I have spoken to some legends in the pit areas. Absolutley unbeleivable, you have got to go !!!
I went last year with the missus for Sunday only. The weather was superb & there was a really good atmosphere. We both really enjoyed the day out even though we had to drive to Leeds afterwards. Take some grub though as with all events it's quite expensive.
There were loads of manufacturers with stands & also MAX power, organisers of track days, parts suppliers & the like.
You could go and put your hands on cars in the pit areas & when the F1 teams fired up & you were only 5 feet from the cars the noise was awesome.
You could quite easily make a full weekend of it as you could then see each car a number of times from different parts roadside.
F1 Silverstone is £120+ for the day is it not?
Goowood is nowhere near as expensive.
Like Nike
Just Do It
There were loads of manufacturers with stands & also MAX power, organisers of track days, parts suppliers & the like.
You could go and put your hands on cars in the pit areas & when the F1 teams fired up & you were only 5 feet from the cars the noise was awesome.
You could quite easily make a full weekend of it as you could then see each car a number of times from different parts roadside.
F1 Silverstone is £120+ for the day is it not?
Goowood is nowhere near as expensive.
Like Nike
Just Do It
If you go to one event this year, make it GFoS... but go on the Friday.
Granted, not everything runs, and some of the boys don't drive quite as hard, but you can get very close to the machinery.
I've been going since it started and the crowds get bigger every year, but considering I've chatted to the likes of Jim Hall about his Chaparalls, and talked 917's with Dickie Attwood, Ferrari's with Nick Mason... and nearly wet myself listening to a Ferrari 612 going up the hill...
Worth every penny - even better if you've got a PPL and can fly in to beat the queues!
Granted, not everything runs, and some of the boys don't drive quite as hard, but you can get very close to the machinery.
I've been going since it started and the crowds get bigger every year, but considering I've chatted to the likes of Jim Hall about his Chaparalls, and talked 917's with Dickie Attwood, Ferrari's with Nick Mason... and nearly wet myself listening to a Ferrari 612 going up the hill...
Worth every penny - even better if you've got a PPL and can fly in to beat the queues!
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