Some events are simply a ‘must’ on the motorsport calendar. The Goodwood Festival of Speed is one such, alongside the great Goodwood Revival. I haven’t been able to go for a couple of years and I’m inevitably left in envy of those who can make it!
Next year will see the theme of ‘Addicted to Winning – The Unbeatable Champions of Motor Sport’. This 2014 theme will celebrate the legendary drivers and riders, teams and manufacturers, who have swept all before them in their sport. The 2014 GFoS is scheduled to take place on June 26-29th 2014.
The history of motor sport is illuminated by great champions who transcended mere victory to become utterly dominant. From Bentley’s five Le Mans wins in the 1920s, the crushing supremacy of the Silver Arrows in the 1930s and Juan Manuel Fangio’s five Formula 1 world titles in the 1950s, to the superiority of Jim Clark and Lotus in the 1960s, Porsche’s 16 Le Mans wins between 1970 and 1998, and Sebastien Loeb’s nine straight World Rally Championships this Century, all have rewritten the standards of their day.
The same is true on two wheels, where John Surtees, Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini, Kenny Roberts and Valentino Rossi have all enjoyed periods of unassailable brilliance, as have Norton, MV Agusta, Honda and Yamaha. All will be honoured as the 2014 Festival pays tribute to many of the sport’s greatest champions.
Alongside the overall theme, the 2014 Festival will also celebrate the centenary of one of the most glorious of all sports car marques – Maserati. Many of the Modena manufacturer’s most iconic racing cars will be gathered together on the hill, while a selection of fabulous Maserati road cars will have a dedicated class in the Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ concours d’elegance.
Other significant anniversaries will include 100 years since the fabled 1914 French Grand Prix, in which the Mercedes team overcame strong opposition to score a commanding 1-2-3 victory. Mercedes-Benz’s victorious stints in grand prix racing in 1934 and 1954 will also be celebrated, as will 60 years of the Jaguar D-type, the 50th anniversary of the Mini’s first Monte Carlo Rally victory, and the 40th anniversary of McLaren’s first F1 crown.
The 2014 Festival of Speed will feature a glittering array of cars and motorcycles from a huge variety of disciplines, further enhancing its reputation as the world’s greatest celebration of motor racing history and culture.
Tackling the famous Goodwood hillclimb will be everything from early grand prix and endurance machines, to off-road and contemporary cars and motorcycles. Aside from getting close to the action-packed hillclimb and paddocks, Festival-goers will be able to see many of motor sport’s famous faces up close, and witness the exciting sideways action on the Forest Rally Stage.
They will also be able to swoon at the mouth-watering display of supercars, and become a part of the action at the off-road activity fields and family areas. The hugely popular GAS (Goodwood Action Sports) returns for 2014 as well, bigger and better than ever, and for those seeking something a little calmer, the annual Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ concours d’elegance promises an opportunity to admire a stunning collection of vehicles. They can also see, and potentially try, the latest road cars at the Moving Motor Show exhibition on Thursday June 26, 2014.
The highly-popular Goodwood Revival is now confirmed for its traditional mid-September slot (September 12-14, 2014, in line with the dates announced in October), with tickets for next year’s event already selling fast.
Goodwood Festival of Speed and Revival founder Lord March says: “I am really looking forward to having so many great cars and drivers here at the Festival of Speed next summer to celebrate our 2014 ‘Addicted to Winning’ theme. For me it is always magical to see so many of the world’s greatest drivers, riders and machines in action up my 1.16-mile drive, and then have the Goodwood Revival to look forward to just a few weeks later.”
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