2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed

With the Formula 1 fraternity gearing up for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, the Goodwood Festival of Speed took place last weekend for the 20th running of the highly popular motorsport extravaganza. This years central theme was ‘Young Guns – Born to Win’, with ‘Lotus: Past, Present and Future’ alongside it.

As ever, many varying forms of cars and bikes climbed the 1.86km hill whereas further action took place over the skies with a stunning EuroFighter Air Display. Upon arriving at the venue, the thrilling sound of cars screaming along the track met your ears. With activities taking place in every direction, there was more than enough to keep everyone entertained. Away from the hustle and bustle of the various paddocks was the Exhibitors’ Area, where marques such as Lotus, Renault, Honda, Audi and Mercedes-Benz allowed you the opportunity to gaze longingly at sports cars you can only wish of owning.

For many of the attending masses, however, the opportunity to get up close and personal to Formula 1 drivers of past and present was naturally one of the main attractions of the Festival of Speed. Driving on the Sunday was the likes of Heikki Kovalainen, Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg for their respective teams. Each driver drew in tremendous amounts support, with the fans practically able to touch the cars and they were moved from the paddock to the track.

Whilst many fans joined in the scrum to meet their heroes, many other legends of the sport were present. Brazilian Formula 1 legend Emerson Fittipaldi was seen signing autographs on his way from the Blackrock Drivers’ Club, with other notable members of the F1 fraternity including Adrian Newey and Christian Horner also seen immersed in signing autographs.

In the Stable Yard this year was a special tribute to the career of Alain Prost, which featured many cars from his long and colorful career. The Frenchman was at the event on both Friday and Saturday, offering fans the opportunity to meet one of France’s most iconic sportsman.

Within the Exhibitors’ Area were many stalls selling everything from books, diecast models and team wear both past and present. For the true die hard Formula 1 fans, this area presented a golden opportunity to purchase rare memorabilia including signed pictures and clothing to pieces of actual bodywork including a whole Arrows F1 front wing!

As well as stalls selling many motor sport items, other areas offered fans challenges including the ability to race a motor sport computer game from the realistic confines of a replica Formula 1 car. Mercedes-Benz also offered the same opportunity, with many fans congregating around the monstrous building to have a go at playing the famous PlayStation game Gran Turismo 5.

Overall the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed was yet another fantastic weekend for all involved. Once again the event allowed thousands of adoring motor sport fans to get close to the sport they so dearly love, be it Formula 1, Endurance Racing, Rallying, Touring Cars or Motorcycling. With the Festival of Speed now over for another year, all eyes return to the legendary British Grand Prix this weekend.