Boyle Valve Special

American icons have long been a staple at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Long time event supporter and three-time Indy 500 winner Bobby Unser was on a typically exuberant form, thrilled to realise a long-held ambition to drive the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame’s ‘Boyle Valve Special’ [Maserati 8CTF]. “I’d never driven it before but it has to be a highlight of my life as this car won Indy in 1939 and 1940 with Wilbur Shaw,” said the oval racing and Pikes Peak legend. “When I first saw it I said to myself, ‘I have to drive that car some time.’ It’s so much fun to come to Goodwood and Lord March has become a good friend. I try to come over every other year and this has to be one of the greatest vacations, ever!”

“My face has had a permanent smile on it. It’s sensory overload, that’s for sure!” said first-time Festival visitor Michael Waltrip, who picked up plenty of new fans with his tyre-smoking antics aboard the MWR NASCAR Toyota Camry stock car. “I’ve been Twittering everyone back home in the US, and there’s been plenty to tell them about. I’m amazed at the reaction we’ve had here. Everyone has made us very welcome. It’s been great.”