Goodwood Festival of Speed - 2-4 Jul 10

Richard Burns Foundation makes vital donation to Headway charity

Posted: August 29, 2010 4:45 PM

The Richard Burns Foundation is delighted to confirm that its fundraising at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in early July has raised £41,557.88 for Headway Tunbridge Wells and District, its nominated beneficiary charity during the motorsport extravaganza.

Headway funds research, preventative campaigns to help stop brain injury occurring, and practical help for those already affected by brain injuries.

Supported by a team of more than 200 volunteers, the RBF used bucket collections and a charity auction to accumulate the total amount, which will be used to help pay for a housing project that provides a lifeline for people whose lives have been altered by brain injury. A significant donation was also made by Jenson Button, the reigning Formula One world champion.

John Surtees, the only man to have won world titles on two wheels and four, is a supporter of Headway and appeared on the RBF stand at Goodwood to raise awareness of the charity. His son, Henry, suffered a fatal head injury in an accident during a Formula 2 race at Brands Hatch in July 2009, and his support of Headway stems from this tragedy.

"We're thrilled to be able to make this contribution to Headway Tunbridge Wells and District and we hope our support will go a long way towards helping the housing project, which will be so important to so many people," said Zoe Scott, Richard Burns' long-term partner and part of the team that runs the RBF. "We would like to thank all our volunteers and all those are who were able to make donations, especially Jenson Button, who took time out of his busy schedule at Goodwood to support the work of the RBF and Headway."

Richard Burns died of brain cancer in November 2005, four years after becoming England's first and only world rally champion. The Richard Burns Foundation was set up as a tribute to him by his family and closest friends, aiming to provide help to people affected by brain cancer or injury.

"I know that Richard would have been thrilled for us to be supporting Headway, such a great cause," Scott continued. "Throughout his illness, Richard was always extremely concerned by how people managed to cope with life-changing disease, particularly if those people had limited funds. He would definitely have approved this year's choice of charity."

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Richard Burns Foundation

FORD'S WORLD CUP WINNER MEETS FOCUS RS500

Posted: June 20, 2010 7:28 PM

Forty years of Ford motorsport success will be represented when old meets new at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Leading the charge will be the victorious Ford Escort driven by Hannu Mikkola and Gunnar Palm in the 1970 London– Mexico rally. Starting from Wembley Stadium, where England won the 1966 World Cup, the race finished 16,000 gruelling miles later in Mexico City, host to the 1970 World Cup.

Now, as the England soccer team seeks to repeat 1966, Ford will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Escort's triumph by taking on the Festival's challenging 1.16 mile hill climb. The Escorts' success in 1970, taking 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th and 8th places, led directly to Ford launching the highly successful and iconic Ford Escort Mexico.

Demonstrating the continued link between production vehicles and motorsport cars will be the new, limited-edition Ford Focus RS500. With a production run of just 500 examples across Europe, the high performance Focus RS500 features a 350PS upgraded engine and hand-applied matt black foil finish, and is a timely reminder of Ford's motorsport record.

In May, the Focus WRC of Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila won Rally New Zealand providing the company with its 75th win and making Ford the most successful manufacturer in the history of FIA World Rally Championship.

Gerard Quinn, Ford's motorsport manager, said:
"There is a direct customer benefit that results from motorsport development helping to advance production car engineering. This was evident from the early days of the Ford Escort and with the Focus WRC now in its final season it is appropriate that the lessons learnt have helped to create a new icon for the road in the shape of the Focus RS500."

Both the Escort and Focus RS500 will be driven by guest drivers throughout the Goodwood Festival of Speed taking place on 2 - 4 July 2010.

LOIX JOINS WILKS AT ŠKODA UK FOR GOODWOOD FESTIVAL

Posted: June 20, 2010 7:18 PM

Freddy Loix will make his Goodwood Festival of Speed debut next month (2-4 July), driving the Škoda UK Motorsport Fabia S2000 on the Forest Rally Stage, while Guy Wilks will make his first public appearance since his accident on the Rally d'Italia-Sardegna.

Freddy is one of Belgium’s top professional rally drivers, with a career spanning 25 years and a long and distinguished history of competing in the FIA World Rally Championship.

It will be an all-too rare chance for British rally fans to see the 39-year old driver in action. His last appearance in the UKwas when he finished 6th overall on the 2003 Wales Rally GB, having replaced an unwell Richard Burns in the works Peugeot team. Somewhat fittingly, the Richard Burns Foundation is the official charity of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and the Škoda UK Motorsport team will be working with the RBF to help raise funds during the three day event.

Freddy will arrive in the UKjust days after driving an official Škoda Motorsport Fabia S2000 Facelift car on Round 6 of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, the Ypres Rally – an event he has won five times in the past.

Guy is making a speedy recovery after breaking two vertebrae in an accident on the Rally d'Italia-Sardegna two weeks ago. He has undergone treatment in an oxygen chamber, commenced training in a swimming pool and is already able to drive his road-going Škoda Octavia. A further x-ray this week revealed that the fractures are healing extremely well.

Freddy Loix:
“I am very happy to come to Goodwood and drive for Škoda UK Motorsport. I have never been to the event before, but other rally drivers have told me what a fantastic experience it is and I’ve always wanted to do it. I really didn’t have to think twice before accepting the invitation.”

Guy Wilks:
“Getting back behind the wheel of the Fabia S2000 has been a great goal for me to aim at, and every step of my recovery has been focused on doing that. The fractures are healing very well and I’m already back driving my road car. I want to be one hundred per cent fit for my next rally, that’s the only reason we’re missing Ypres, and I hope to be back rallying very soon.”

The Goodwood Festival of Speed takes place in the immaculate grounds of Goodwood House in West Sussex, where the Earl and Countess of March open their home to what is described as the largest motoring garden party in the world. The celebration of motorsport and the automotive industry annual attracts many of the biggest stars of today and yesteryear, driving a glittering array of modern and historic cars and motorcycles.

GOODWOOD HITS THE RIGHT NOTE AS IT CELEBRATES CARS, STARS AND GUITARS AT THE 2010 FESTIVAL OF SPEED

Posted: June 8, 2010 2:12 PM

From 2-4 July Goodwood will be creating the ultimate car ‘tuning’ show as the world’s greatest celebration of automotive culture – the Festival of Speed – strikes the right chord and celebrates Cars, Stars and Guitars with musical ‘moments,’ some stunning cars and a unique guitar display.

From the earliest days of blues and rock, musicians have had a strong love affair with the automobile, using the car to help express their personalities, extravagances, success and zest for live. Iconic images of stars with their cars have become the stuff of legend. From Elvis with his pink ’55 Cadillac, to John Lennon’s psychedelic Rolls-Royce Phantom and Janis Joplin’s flower power Porsche 365, rock stars have long been synonymous with the car.

During the Festival weekend, Goodwood will bring the irresistible combination of cool car and feted rock star to life as an impressive line-up of rock guitar legends appear with their own distinctive and cherished cars and guitars, and play a memorable and unique guitar solo live to the Festival of Speed enthusiasts.

Founder of ZZ Top and avid car enthusiast Billy Gibbons will be one of the ‘guitar gods’ playing at Goodwood, appearing with his amazing 23 foot-long CadZZilla, based on a 1948 Cadillac. Billy Gibbons will be accompanied by British guitar legend Jeff Beck, who will be bringing one of his own famous Hot Rods to the Festival. Leading American blues guitarist Jimmie Vaughn will also be playing, and driving his pistachio green custom ‘61 Cadillac.

Other distinctive cars owned by rock legends will include Eric Clapton’s custom ’49 Ford and a wild Auburn Speedster owned by Metallica front man James Hetfield. Accompanying these rarely-seen automobiles will be a display of each musician’s personal signature guitar.

Commenting on the appearance of cars, stars and guitars at Goodwood, Festival of Speed founder The Earl of March says: “I am incredibly excited at the prospect of seeing, and hearing, some of my guitar heroes performing outside Goodwood House, playing their famous guitars alongside their stunning cars. It promises to be a unique experience not to be missed,” he adds.

Supporting these great musical moments and unique Cars, Stars and Guitars collection will be an additional extensive display of vehicles associated with rock and roll. Full details of this interesting display around the famous Goodwood cricket pitch will be announced very shortly

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Peugeot celebrates 200 years at Goodwood Festival of Speed

Posted: June 8, 2010 2:10 PM

Peugeot, a sponsor of the prestigious Goodwood Festival of Speed, is planning to use the event, which runs from 1st to 4th July, to celebrate its 200 years of brand evolution with a celebration of its past, present and future with an exhibition on its show stand to bring to life its latest ‘Motion & Emotion' brand signature.

Participation in the innovative ‘Mobile Motor Show' on Thursday,1st July will see the new RCZ Sports Coupé demonstrated to potential customers up the hill and around the roads of Goodwood. During the Festival weekend, key Peugeot cars will be driven on the hill climb and rally stages, including the IRC rally-winning 207 S2000 in the capable hands of 2009 Champion Kris Meeke.

The iconic French brand has a large stand to showcase its celebration brand style. Complemented by the products of its past, the automotive displays include the Peugeot 302 Darl'mat - known as the ‘Sochaux Rocket' - which took three top ten places at Le Mans in 1937. Another key exhibit is the iconic 402 Eclipse (the first car with a metal folding roof and a forebear of today's popular 207 & 308 CC - Coupé Cabriolet), and the 205 T16, another icon of the brand that completely dominated the World Rally Championships of the 1980s.

The present vehicles on display include the new award-winning RCZ Sports Coupé that is characterised by its double-bubble roof - a legacy of the Le Mans 908 race car that is also on display, complemented in success with Kris Meeke's rally-winning 207 S2000. The RCZ Nurburgring race car is also displayed, having won its class in the recent 1000km endurance race.

The future is also clearly in sight with a host of revolutionary new products for tomorrow. Displayed in the UK for the first time is the Hybrid 3 Evolution - a three-wheel scooter concept with hybrid technology, the concept RCZ HYbrid4 and production-ready 3008 Crossover with HYbrid4 technology - which will be the first diesel-hybrid on sale in the UK from mid-2010 and shown in cutaway to illustrate its features. The Peugeot i0n is also displayed - a new all-electric car also on sale in 2010.

Making its UK debut is the stunning SR1 sports roadster concept - the design manifesto of the brand going forward - and complemented with another fascinating concept the BB1 - a four-seater, 2.5-metre electric vehicle that has been confirmed for production consideration.

Peugeot Managing Director, Jon Goodman comments;
"At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, in the company of considerable motoring enthusiasm, be it from the attending public, the talented drivers or the unique gathering of automotive vehicles, it is significant that Peugeot - a brand with such wide appeal - is celebrating 200 years of considerable innovation, endurance and style."

List of Drivers to date:

Posted: May 24, 2010 6:54 PM

Goodwood_List_of_Drivers_21_May_2010.pdf

• Goodwood Festival of Speed

Goodwood confirms over 20 World Champions and 80 drivers and riders appearing at the 2010 Festival of Speed

Posted: May 24, 2010 6:49 PM

With just over six weeks still to go until the 2010 Festival of Speed blasts into life (2-4 July), Goodwood can already confirm more than 80 star drivers and riders will be present at the world's largest celebration of motoring culture, including over 20 World Champions who between them have collected more than 70 championship titles.

Reigning Formula One World Champion Jenson Button will be in action up the famous Goodwood hillclimb, as will his McLaren team mate and 2008 World Champion Lewis Hamilton. Joining the McLaren drivers will be fellow 2010 season F1 competitors Mark Webber behind the wheel of his Red Bull, Nico Rosberg in action in his Mercedes, and Bruno Senna, driving his uncle Ayrton's iconic McLaren MP4/8.

Past F1 champions and Grand Prix winners present at the Festival of Speed are set to include Emerson Fittipaldi, Sir Jackie Stewart, Mika Hakkinen, John Surtees, Sir Stirling Moss, Jochen Mass and Patrick Tambay. Joining these confirmed drivers at Goodwood will be a roll-call of other motor sport stars that reads like a who's who of motor racing.

From the world of rallying, Festival first-timer Miki Biasion will be reunited with a Lancia Delta; American ‘Gymkhana' video and current WRC star Ken Block will be going wild in his Ford: 2009 IRS Champion Kris Meeke will be going sideways in his Peugeot; as will IRC rival Guy Wilks in his Skoda. Many other rallying greats will be reacquainted with the cars that made them famous, including Messrs Rauno Aaltonen, Jimmy McRae, Russell Brookes, Björn Waldegård and Markko Martin.

Motorcycling heroes will include Giacomo Agostini, Kevin Schwantz, Chaz Davies, Neil Hodgson and Trevor Nation, plus many others, including 12-time Trials Champion and Goodwood legend Dougie Lampkin. Motor racing legends from across the Pond will include double Daytona 500 winner and NASCAR stalwart Michael Waltrip and three-time Indy 500 victor Bobby Unser.

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GOODWOOD TO STAGE A NEW AVIATION SHOW AT THE 2010 FESTIVAL OF SPEED

Posted: March 5, 2010 11:02 AM

The Goodwood Aviation Show will be held within the grounds of Goodwood Park as a significant addition to the annual Festival of Speed, which is set to take place from 2-4 July.

For the very first time, this aviation exhibition area will enable manufacturers of both fixed wing and Rotary aircraft, plus aviation service suppliers to showcase their latest innovative aircraft designs at the celebrated West Sussex annual event. With the famous Goodwood aerodrome just half a mile away, many aircraft manufacturers will also have the opportunity to take prospective clients on an evaluation flight.

The idea to stage an Aviation Show as part of the annual Festival of Speed has been largely driven by customer demand. Goodwood has undertaken extensive research at previous Festivals, with the results confirming that almost a third of those attending the event either have a private pilot’s licence, or they hire charter aircraft or have a very strong interest in aviation. The Festival of Speed offers a superb opportunity for the aviation industry to gain real exposure to a huge high net worth audience.

Since its introduction in 1993, the Festival of Speed has grown to become the world’s leading celebration of transportation for enthusiasts, with the prime focus being automotive, but other modes of transport also being celebrated, from pedal cycles, right through to high speed boats and aircraft. The event consistently attracts more than 150,000 visitors over three days, with the daily air displays – ranging from the Red Arrows to the UK public debut of the Air Bus in flight – being one of the most popular attractions.

Commenting on this latest Goodwood initiative, Festival of Speed founder Lord March says;
“I am very encouraged that our aviation team here has already received a huge amount of interest from the aviation industry, and I am confident that aviation will play a major part at the Festival for many years to come. The Goodwood Aviation Show is a direct response to the continued enthusiasm and demand from our Festival visitors and the aviations industry for a dedicated quality annual exhibition in Britain”

Lord March continues:
“My hope is that the Goodwood Aviation Show will become a ‘must attend’ annual event, enabling pilots, buyers and enthusiasts to see and even experience the latest models and technical developments in a stunning setting and a relaxed environment.”

More details about the exciting Goodwood Aviation Show, as well as the 2010 Festival of Speed, will be announced over the coming months.

Event Website / Details

Posted: January 1, 2010 12:01 AM

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