How the Hillclimb competition works

A principal attraction of the Festival of Speed is the hillclimb competition, which takes place throughout the Festival weekend on a 1.16-mile course on parkland roads in the grounds of Goodwood House – click here for map.  The start is near the gate lodge at the South of the park. Cars race along a tree-lined avenue and turn to pass in front of Goodwood House, before climbing a steep and narrow estate road past flint walls and dense woodland groves, heading towards Goodwood's equine racecourse on top of the magnificent South Downs.

The Festival caters exclusively for the most significant cars in the history of international motor sport, such as famous Grand Prix cars; successful Le Mans, Indy and CanAm racers; important rally and touring cars; plus some of the world’s most famous competition motorcycles. Entry is by invitation only from Lord March, and the field is selected thematically, with the cars and motorcycles chosen specifically to reflect the major themes for the year (see Event News for the latest information). Therefore all competing vehicles are presented in their original condition and livery, with a strong emphasis on their individual history.

The competition begins with free practice on Friday, when around 200 vehicles run up the course in single file, each setting off at one-minute intervals. The cars are grouped thematically into classes of comparable machinery, with the oldest cars running first. Those who have chosen to be timed will compete against other similar cars in their Timed Category (outlined below): the winner will be the one who sets the fastest time during the official runs on Sunday.  Some of the cars, however, are rarely-seen collectors' pieces, whose owners decide not to be timed. These cars complete a demonstration run only, although no speed restrictions are placed upon them.

On Saturday, each competitor completes two further practice runs, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The two runs are repeated on Sunday, and each competitor's fastest time determines his/her final result in the competition.

When they are not competing, the cars are kept in four paddocks near to Goodwood House. The Cathedral Paddock near Crossroads Corner houses pre-war racing cars, plus some of the event’s post-war racers, (especially sports, touring and rally cars). The Formula 1 Paddock to the east of Goodwood House features the rest of the competition machinery, including the current Formula 1 teams and all the racing motorcycles. Adjacent to this, however, is the WRC Paddock for those rally cars which take to the hill before demonstrating their skills on the Forest Rally Stage.  All other rally cars are based in the Top Paddock at the top of the hillclimb, ready to run the on the Stage.  The Supercar Paddock holds the current production or planned-production performance cars taking part in the Sunday Times ‘InGear’ Supercar Run. In addition, the Festival's featured marque is displayed in the Central Feature Paddock around the carriage turning circle immediately in front of Goodwood House.