Saturday 13th July 2002
GFOS 2002
More cars, more people, more to see
Discussion
Another fabulous event. The range of cars on display are mind-boggling. My favourite area is the Supercar arena. Name a current mega-car, and it was probably on display. Nice to see Fabrizio (sp?) standing guard over his dad's gorgeous Alfa Romeo Brera concept.
Me? I'll take the following:
Merc SL55 AMG (for the missus)
Alfa Brera
AM Vanquish
Spyker (coupe version)
Ferrari 575M
Pagani Zonda
TVR Tuscan R
Jaguar R Coupe
I'm not really a mid-engined supercar fan, but the Cadillac Cien was quite stunning and beautifully proportioned. If you're gonna have a supercar, make it a wedgie one!
The only downside for me were the crowds. It's getting more and more crowded each year. Think we'll try and attend on the Friday next year.
Me? I'll take the following:
Merc SL55 AMG (for the missus)
Alfa Brera
AM Vanquish
Spyker (coupe version)
Ferrari 575M
Pagani Zonda
TVR Tuscan R
Jaguar R Coupe
I'm not really a mid-engined supercar fan, but the Cadillac Cien was quite stunning and beautifully proportioned. If you're gonna have a supercar, make it a wedgie one!
The only downside for me were the crowds. It's getting more and more crowded each year. Think we'll try and attend on the Friday next year.
I've been attending on the Friday since the FoS started - and I've also made the odd trip on the sunday too.
Friday is no longer a quiet day... in fact it was as busy on a friday THIS year as it was on the sunday about 3-4 years ago. Seems that it is becoming a victim of it's own success... it was notable that many of the drivers were not as prominent or as laid back walking around - they tended to hide away - something that didn't happen a few years back.
However, it was well organised (the paddocks were split this year) as usual, and even though it rained a bit on Friday - a good time was had by all.
Ted - although you've got some cracking pictures of the modern supercars, you seem to be missing the real beauties... the 917K, GT40, Ferrari 512S, the Can-Am cars and the classic F1's... as well as the unusual Pikes Peak Celica, BMW F1 engined X5, Tuscan R (with new exhaust), the dinky GT70 and that weird camber car!
>> Edited by Podie on Monday 15th July 08:06
Friday is no longer a quiet day... in fact it was as busy on a friday THIS year as it was on the sunday about 3-4 years ago. Seems that it is becoming a victim of it's own success... it was notable that many of the drivers were not as prominent or as laid back walking around - they tended to hide away - something that didn't happen a few years back.
However, it was well organised (the paddocks were split this year) as usual, and even though it rained a bit on Friday - a good time was had by all.
Ted - although you've got some cracking pictures of the modern supercars, you seem to be missing the real beauties... the 917K, GT40, Ferrari 512S, the Can-Am cars and the classic F1's... as well as the unusual Pikes Peak Celica, BMW F1 engined X5, Tuscan R (with new exhaust), the dinky GT70 and that weird camber car!
>> Edited by Podie on Monday 15th July 08:06
I've fotango'd a few of my pics taken on Friday...
www.fotango.com/cgi-bin/public_gallery_item.cgi?id=166593&index=0&key=
...and a mini movie (from a digital camera) of a McLaren M1 (Can-Am) car going up the hill
http://uk.geocities.com/podie_77/mclaren_m1.avi
You'll have to copy and paste this link into your browser to download it... it's about 2MB and lasts for about 15 seconds...
>> Edited by Podie on Monday 15th July 09:26
www.fotango.com/cgi-bin/public_gallery_item.cgi?id=166593&index=0&key=
...and a mini movie (from a digital camera) of a McLaren M1 (Can-Am) car going up the hill
http://uk.geocities.com/podie_77/mclaren_m1.avi
You'll have to copy and paste this link into your browser to download it... it's about 2MB and lasts for about 15 seconds...
>> Edited by Podie on Monday 15th July 09:26
quote:
Ted - although you've got some cracking pictures of the modern supercars, you seem to be missing the real beauties... the 917K, GT40, Ferrari 512S, the Can-Am cars and the classic F1's... as well as the unusual Pikes Peak Celica, BMW F1 engined X5, Tuscan R (with new exhaust), the dinky GT70 and that weird camber car!
I know. Bit of a frustrating day trying to see everything!
quote:
Ah, but the Chow Mein food stall made up for it
Oh, and if the Guinness stand is there again next year, I'm not driving!
All in all, a fanstastic day. Not long until the Revival meeting now!!
I was lucky enough not to be driving, so took FULL advantage of those free wine vouchers they were dishing out.
Great to see (and hear!) the all cars close up, but it seemed more of a family day out than a festival of speed to me. The money making anciliary activities, such as the helicopter rides and tank thing (which was so pathetic) were far too much in abundance. I thought the event was about speed??? Undoubtably a victim of its own success and marketeers making money!
A friend remarked on the irony of the naming of the event as its finale involves thousands of cars making their way out of Goodwood and home along the surrounding public roads at a snails pace! We were lucky enough to cut across some single lane B-roads and ended up on the classic A272, followed by the A31/32.
A friend remarked on the irony of the naming of the event as its finale involves thousands of cars making their way out of Goodwood and home along the surrounding public roads at a snails pace! We were lucky enough to cut across some single lane B-roads and ended up on the classic A272, followed by the A31/32.
quote:I got sent over to the baguette stand at lunchtime on Sunday, rather annoyingly missing the supercars going up the hill in the process although I'm assured I didn't miss much and I did get back in time to see them coming down again and see the Astons doing their burn-outs (mmmmmmmm).
fantastic day although only downer was severe lack of bacon sandwich stands!!
Anyway, I was told that they'd run out of bacon. But then someone opened the fridge whilst I was being served and there was a large catering pack of bacon in there. "So what's that then?" I ask.
Girl looks panicked, and a young manager-type chap explains that its actually because all the staff are so busy making the cold baguettes that there is no-one left to man the bacon-cooking hotplate thing. Grrrrrrrrrrr!
Twin Turbo - agreed... but the event seems to have lost a lot of it's original charm.
It's a victim of it's own (well deserved) success... too many people turn up, the relaxed atmosphere has gone, and the drivers hide themselves away again. Gone are the days of nearly being run over by Stirling Moss on a scooter in the paddock, or talking to Dickie Atwood, Jim Hall et al... even Colin McRae would chat a few years back.
I fear that the only way to restore it's glory would be to limit the number of tickets...
>> Edited by Podie on Monday 15th July 14:24
It's a victim of it's own (well deserved) success... too many people turn up, the relaxed atmosphere has gone, and the drivers hide themselves away again. Gone are the days of nearly being run over by Stirling Moss on a scooter in the paddock, or talking to Dickie Atwood, Jim Hall et al... even Colin McRae would chat a few years back.
I fear that the only way to restore it's glory would be to limit the number of tickets...
>> Edited by Podie on Monday 15th July 14:24
This year was the first time that I've attended. I agree with everybody about the standard of presentation, paddocks and exotica available - basically it was unbelievable! My only gripe is visibility, basically it’s almost impossible to see the track, especially from around the start or in front of Goodwood house, without having a seat in the stands. In fact this spoilt my whole day as I heard plenty of F1’s and even seen the odd rear wing, but never got to see the car itself on the move.
Gripe over, I guess next year it’s stand tickets for me….
Gripe over, I guess next year it’s stand tickets for me….
Does anyone know what the attendance was this year?
I would much rather the number of tickets be limited, if that meant the original spirit returned (so long as I managed to get my grubby mits on them first!!)
Perhaps the organisers should ensure that all tickets are pre-booked (ie, no access without a ticket on the day). I don't begrudge Lord March making a profit, but I hope this would mean the prices would not go up too much. It would be a shame for it to turn into an elitest event for the wealthy.
rjben - if you want to see action, I suggest you visit the Goodwood Revival in September. This is held at the motor racing circuit and you can get excellent viewing without the need of a grandstand seat. Admittedly you won't see any current F1 cars, but if you like 50's and 60's racers it's well worth it.
Unfortunately, to gain access to the paddock you need to be a member of the Goodwood Racing Club and wear a jacket and tie! You can still walk around the perimeter, but it's not quite as "intimate" as the GFOS access.
I would much rather the number of tickets be limited, if that meant the original spirit returned (so long as I managed to get my grubby mits on them first!!)
Perhaps the organisers should ensure that all tickets are pre-booked (ie, no access without a ticket on the day). I don't begrudge Lord March making a profit, but I hope this would mean the prices would not go up too much. It would be a shame for it to turn into an elitest event for the wealthy.
rjben - if you want to see action, I suggest you visit the Goodwood Revival in September. This is held at the motor racing circuit and you can get excellent viewing without the need of a grandstand seat. Admittedly you won't see any current F1 cars, but if you like 50's and 60's racers it's well worth it.
Unfortunately, to gain access to the paddock you need to be a member of the Goodwood Racing Club and wear a jacket and tie! You can still walk around the perimeter, but it's not quite as "intimate" as the GFOS access.
What a superb event ! Face suffering from sun burn and ears still hurting from the incredible sound of the 20,500 rpm classic Honda racebikes. Patrese, Ickx, Bell, Marshall, Ragnotti, Jabouille, Lawson, ... the complete staff of my childhood heroes must have been there. Only one word : BIG G : Glorious Goodwood !
quote:What time did you arrive? We were on-site for just before 9am on Saturday and 9.30am on Sunday, and we viewed that as getting there "a bit late" - we were planning to arrive at about 8am, which would have involved leaving the house at 6.30am, which is why we failed!
My only gripe is visibility, basically it’s almost impossible to see the track, especially from around the start or in front of Goodwood house, without having a seat in the stands.
If you got there any later than us then I can understand not being able to see, but otherwise I don't see why you had problems.
JonRB
We arrived at 8am on Sunday. I guess it was our fault as we did not want to stand in one position all day i.e. next to the bails. We would occasionally get some food / have a look around and then be confronted with a 4 – 5 man deep wall between us and the track. I think the main problem was the double row of bails, obviously this was for safety, but this effectively stopped you having a view of the road unless you where in an elevated position relative to it.
Cheers,
Rob
We arrived at 8am on Sunday. I guess it was our fault as we did not want to stand in one position all day i.e. next to the bails. We would occasionally get some food / have a look around and then be confronted with a 4 – 5 man deep wall between us and the track. I think the main problem was the double row of bails, obviously this was for safety, but this effectively stopped you having a view of the road unless you where in an elevated position relative to it.
Cheers,
Rob
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