astraboy

Dont ask me why, but I've never been to a Goodwood, but this year looked so good, it'd be rude not to go, dont you think? Especially when I knew they'd be Formula 1 cars, both modern and historic, little did I know, the F1 part of the show is just a tiny part of the whole thing....

Turning up about midday, there was a bit of a queue off the main road, but a one way system had been set up which meant traffic was slow, but not stationary. Besides, The Red Arrows were there to entertain me on the way in, so I wasn't complaining!

Having parked up and queued for a sum total of 10 minutes to get in, I was chaperoned across the drive, handily enough, right by the startline


I then set about getting my bearings and seeing what's what. What did I bump into first? Why a Brand new Ford RS500, complete with matt black paintjob and early PR edition number



After that I wandered into the exhibition stands. All of them are open plan so I wandered through with whatever I fancied getting photographed.


Thereafter, it was into the realms of the weird and wacky. This racing truck made me laugh,


But for sheer hatstand insanity, this takes the cake


Yes I did ask if it was powered by the engine and mercifully it is not. Just as well given it's 78 litre displacement and 12 turbos!
As I walked through the manufacturer's stands, a lot of seriously impressive metal was on display, ranging from the sublime:

to the rediculous

But the Nissan stand was causing the real stir, partly cos the thumping sound system, but mostly because of the blood red GT-R at the centre.

I couldnt resist jumping in

It's definitely me, dont you think? Red is my favourite colour as well

A familiar engine howl diverted my attention. Forget the static displays, the F1 cars were on the drive! I legged it over and managed to get a decent spot before the first cars came down.

These things, despite being driven on the estate of a stately home, were seriously quick. How quick?

This quick
My crappy compact camera was easily outclassed, I had to resort to timing my shot with the cars passing a point 30-40 feet down the track and hoping to catch it at the right spot. I got a few worthwhile shots.
here's the 6 wheeler Tyrrel

the JPS lotus

and best of all, the Mclaren MP4-4 driven by none other than Bruno Senna

While this was going on, the Black Cats of the Royal Navy were giving a display in the air in their Navy Lynx's Formation flying and perspective trickery was at the fore with these guys. Even without it, I often wondered how they werent touching blade

Crossing the drive after the F1 finished, I caught a glimpse of one of the cars I really wanted to see here

The MP4-4 had broken down halfway up the drive and I was in the right place at the right time. A priceless F1 car with no-one else around, I got busy.



Just beyond the MP4-4, was the F1 paddock. Both Modern and Historic, the best bit about this show is just how close you can get to the cars.












moving on from the F1, I made my way up the drive. Another case of being in the right place at the right time, I was able to get some good shots of the GT cars coming in after their run.





and my personal favourite, the Mercedes CLK GT-R


next up was the drive by of the sports cars, I got a spot at the front of the crowd and did the same trick of timing my shot as the cars passed a certain point and managed to get some good ones
First up the Mclaren MP4-12C

Then the sublime Lamborghini Reventon

Then the Ascari. It was so damn quick I was lucky to get this one.

Then a brace of Bugatti Verons

The second one was going much quicker than the first, with the airbrake being deployed as it entered the braking zone.

Next up was the Konigsegg

A convertible Bentley being hammered up the drive, note the puff of dust out the back, this is because it was as far over as it dared to get the best line into the left hander ahead.

Then the Porsche Carrera GT, another terrifyingly quick car.

Bit of an oddball this one, a 4WD westfield concept car!

Playtime over, they head back down the hill.

Next up was a mixed batch, but this was the highlight: BMW's new Art Car. I tried to get a closer shot, but it was moving too damn quick!

Also was this beauty, the first time I've ever seen a longtail Mclaren F1 at full cat

Walking up the hill was an enlightening experience, with Some Paris Dakar race cars doing demo runs (1 lap for 20 quid! and there were no shortage of takers either!) but what made me laugh was their "support vehicle"

A fully specced Dakar Rally Truck

A lot more walking and I get to the rally stage, carved out of the wooded area at the top of the hill, the Earl Of March's only request was that no trees were cut down to make it. Despite this, a fully functional 1.7 mile track was created.

If you thought the race cars were moving quick, it was nothing compared to the rally cars. A lot of my shots ended up in the bin as they consisted of me pushing the shutter, looking at the result, seeing this:

And saying "Bollocks". Repeat x20. However, eventually I got a few shots, my personal favourite was this:
But an honourable mention going to Paddy Hopkirk for piloting his Monte winning mini round too!

Eventually I get to the top of the hill and to the rally startline. What do I see lined up? by a hard as nails ex works Integrale of course!

This is what happens when the light goes green.

All four of em light up and the thing shoots forward frighteningly quickly.
It was a lot of fun catching them as they launch, I decide to get a few more. Best of all, a bunch of old skool escorts are up next.


Moving round from the startline, I get to the paddock. This was the money shot in terms of cars I wanted to see. All in one place as well, I got busy with the camera...
Colin Mcrae's old Legacy. Driven by his father, Jimmy, No less

The only 3-door I saw all day! I still miss my old one you know...

Then it was onto the Group B cars. These are the best ones.



The interior and rear hatch of the RS200 I saw going round earlier


Then the Lancia section hoved into view. They were all lined up, the hardest rally cars the marque has ever produced.


then I saw something really unusual, an old skool RX7 in full rally trim

Then a Opel Manta 400


Then it was back to the 1970's old skool

and a little rarer

And rarer still

Not all the cars are fairing so well. Rounding the corner, I see Saintz's old Ford Focus abandoned in the middle of the paddock, one wheel stripped down the the hub. Looks like they dont make em like they used to...


As I wander around, I see a small gaggle of people. Looking over the top (cos I can) I see Jimmy McRae signing autographs. Another case of the right place at the right time, I produce my ticket and a pen

Made my day this did. Dont mind admitting it either. As soon as I get back to work, this is going straight through the laminator

At the top of the hill, there was only one way to go. Down. But as I made my way back, I heard a noise which I mistook for the world coming to an end. In fact, it was the Lancia Stratos, which had just taken to stage.

What an awesome day out. So many cars, so close and all of them having the life ragged out of them with no mercy. I dont think I have been to a festival which has lived up to its name as much as this one. Top day out. Best of all, its still going. If you are (like I was) in any doubts about whether you should go or not. If you have any interest in cars, it should be compulsary.
astraboy.

GC8

Did Ed invite you? The RX7 is one of a small handful of GroupB cars built. Mazda managed to homologate series production cars and then obtained papers for twenty evolutions cars. Eight were built, IIRC, and this was one of the first (if not 01), later rebuilt into an unused body after a huge accident.

Myles

iTrader: (40)

Astraboy, that is my thread of the year so far. Good effort with the write up. I wish I had gone this year, and your pics make the pain worse!

Goodwood FOS is the best motor 'show' in the world for all the right reasons. Fact.

Myles

iTrader: (40)

Stupid double post business.

Leslie

Great post Astraboy, thanks for all that. Looks like it was a good day alright. I used to go there but prefer now to go to the Revival meeting. My old school mate and I have got tickets for the newly extended part of the Woodcote stand. My sister tells me they are excellent seats.

Hope we have as good a day as you had.

Les

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Cheers Astraboy. Great pics. Love the Integrale and the MP4-4 and that is a great shot of the back of the Mk1 Escort.

Brun

Good write up

But.........Ascari?????

Chip

Great review AB. Spent all day there yesterday ,brilliant event.

Chip

Simon C

Shouldn't they be doing the Team America Secret signal??

Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

Great rightup and photos there mate I'm off tomorrow and I can't wait, I love Goodwood and it's always a great show. I am not sure what my photos will be like this year because I'm on crutches and I also don't think I'll be able to make it to the rally stage this year but it'll be good to be there.

danny c

iTrader: (6)

im going sunday to! going up tonight and sleeping in car to beat the traffic and that in the moring!! looks like a awsome day and will be my 1st time going!!

hux309

Ascari a10



Caparo t1





Bit of a difference.

Simon C

Yeah, 1's a cop car, the other isn't

hux309

rallycol

iTrader: (4)

Thats my mate leaning on the door of the Marlboro Escort

mart360

When are you going this year Les?


Sunday for me hopefully,


Mart

M444GY

iTrader: (72)

fantastic write up AB looked like a good day

SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

Fantastic write up mate
Paul told me about this as we were driving down to goodwood yesterday

Had a fab day and saw pretty much everything you did apart from the rally stage because ' hop along palmer' couldnt make it and no red arrows.
BUt we were entertained by a vulcan instead

john_s

iTrader: (1)

Great photos, AB, thanks!

Going to have to try and make it there next year.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

A proper Subaru!

None of this crappy Impreza rubbish

Leslie

Hi Mart,

Our tickets are for Saturday, if you do go then give us a shout and we could meet up.

Les

astraboy

Since coming back from THE FOS, I've been seriously thinking about going to revival as well. May have to have a gander at the lineup to see what's going down there, esp. if theres a chance the Vulcan might turn up again
astraboy.

SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

If it does, dont tell mart

Will be putting up some pictures later when I get the chance. Didnt really take many as I was too busy being a pack horse, child minder and chief 'find me a coffee locator '

Leslie

It is a good day of course, but don't write off the Revival meeting. Its a great day's racing and at least as many outstanding cars to look at in the pits as well as the air shows. Its a great atmosphere and everyone walks arond with a smile on their face.

Les

Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

Only because you refused to carry me I wanted to see the Legacy rallycar so it was a shame to have missed that, there's always next year

I would also like to go to the revival, I've been going to the FOS for 4 years now and I've not made it to the revival yet, it always looks fantastic on TV with the old cars racing wheel to wheel in the old style.

Leslie

They don't hang back, lots of back ends waving about!

Les

astraboy

Stop it, I'm going to have to go
astraboy.

Dave Y

iTrader: (52)

its somewhere i have always wanted to go,looks fantastic.Top marks for a great post.

Jay m A

iTrader: (2)

I was there on Friday too, fantastic day and took my 3 year old boy who hasn't stopped talking about it since Didn't get to see half of the static shows because my little lad just wanted to see the action Fine by me and of course he loved the tractor ride to the top Paddock.

I got him a little Ferrari hat a while back and he was thrilled when he saw the F1 car



But not as thrilled as I was when he was invited onto the Lotus stand by one of the most stunning women I have met for a while..



Get used to it son, lol. She didn't invite me on though

danny c

iTrader: (6)

i went on sunday and it was a awsome day!! saw ken block and got a autograph! also murry walker and he personally signed his book i bought!!
i liked the tranny van with the rover v6 or v8 motor in,it was in the top 20 shoot out!!
i will be going to the revival as my mates garage race a old mini their!

the rally stage their was one of the best bits of the day!