More than 145,000 visitors expected for Festival of Speed

5:10pm Tuesday 23rd June 2009

By Glynn Williams

IN TEN days Britain’s largest annual ‘moving motor show’ opens its gates to more than 145,000 visitors to the Festival of Speed and this year’s spectacle promises to be better than ever.

Yes, as ever Goodwood is drawing the world’s top racing drivers and riders, with F1 legends and world champions by the dozen.

But it has also firmly established itself as the best place to see the latest motoring marvels and best supercars in action from around the globe.

This year is no exception, and with traditional international motor shows being axed in these tough times, Goodwood is even more notable as a world stage with a number of significant new models making their UK or European debuts.

The Sunday Times Supercar Run is unique in providing a dynamic environment in which the public can view new models for the first time.

Unlike a conventional motor show, the Supercar Run affords a fantastic opportunity not only to exhibit a new supercar, but also to show it in dynamic splendour.

Supercars set to make their UK debuts will include the targa-top Bugatti Veyron Gran Sport, the awesome Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren SLR Stirling Moss, pictured, Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M, Pagani Zonda R and the wild Tramontana from Spain.

Other Goodwood debutants include the Porsche Panamera S, Audi R8 V10, Morgan Aero SuperSports, Aston Martin V12 Vantage, Lotus Evora, Lexus LF-A and Nissan’s new GT-R Spec V and 370Z.

A number of sensational concept cars will be seen in action for the first time, including the GTbyCitroen, as well as the striking Bertone Mantide.

Giugiaro’s latest hybrid concept sports car, the Ital Design Frazer Nash Namir, the stunning Infiniti Essence and the unusual Rinspeed Projekt iChange will also be driven up the Goodwood hill as part of a class of low emission vehicles, new to this year’s festival.

These cars will be located in the FoS-TECH pavilion, in association with BP Ultimate. This year FoSTECH becomes a ‘live’ paddock for green-focused concept cars. Also represented with their latest supercar models will be manufacturers such as Alfa Romeo, Ariel, Bentley, BMW, Caparo, Jaguar, Koenigsegg, Lamborghini, Maserati, Mercedes- Benz, Pagani, RUF and Spyker.

Away from the Supercar Run, over a dozen other new vehicles will be making their UK show debut, including the new Mazda3, Mercedes-Benz E-Class saloon and coupe, E 63 AMG, production Ford Focus RS, Alpina B7, Insignia VXR, Audi A1 concept, TT RS and S5 Cabriolet and the Infiniti brand’s UK debut.

■ For tickets call 01243 755055, email bookings@goodwood.co.uk or go online at goodwood.co.uk.