history in the making
At Goodwood we have a genuine passion for motor sport. We've been at it for so long that it's difficult not to! After all, motor sport is in our blood with our motor racing roots going back to the 1930s.
In the summer of 1936 the Earl of March and 9th Duke of Richmond – better known as the talented automotive designer, engineer, racing driver and Brooklands winner Freddie March – held a private hillclimb for the Lancia Car Club at Goodwood House. He won it, naturally, and in doing so inspired his grandson, the present Earl of March, to create a new and exciting racing event at his family home.
The resulting event was the Festival of Speed
The inaugural event was held in the summer of 1993, and attracted 25,000 spectators. Today, the Festival of Speed has become firmly established as the must attend annual celebration of motoring culture. Its enduring popularity is now capped at 150,000 with admission stricly by advance ticket only. Visitors travel from all over the world to attend.
The event has expanded way beyond the hillclimb and now includes a host of other adrenaline-fuelled attractions.
Today the Festival features a challenging loose-surface Forest Rally Stage, the high-speed Supercar Run, the Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ concours d’elegance, world debuts of new car models and the FoS-TECH technology pavilion with its advanced automotive technology displays.
Today the Festival of Speed's extraordinary atmosphere and uniquely intoxicating blend of speed and drama makes it a must for everyone that relishes the prospect of getting up close to both the priceless vehicles and famous racing drivers, riders and celebrities.