Festival of Speed - a grand day out

[SazzaG]

Me and Rog had a great day yesterday at Goodwood.

We took advantage of the fact that we only live 20 minutes away, and arrived before 7.00. Not everything was open then, but it gave us a nice chance to have a good wander around before the action started. Amongst the stands, we found the Sussex Police Lotus - it turns out that it was given to the force, and it's only got 300 miles on the clock 'cos they're all too scared to drive it!

Giz a go, says Rog!
http://www.rogandsaz.co.uk/Festival/Lotus.jpg
We got ourselves a good position in front of the house in time to see the Supercar Run, which preceeded the hill climb practice runs.

There were some seriously nice cars in that group, including the Audi R8, and of course the Bugatti Veyron (yum!). When the cars came back down to return to the paddock, they queued right in front of us. A few got a bit silly and were doing burnouts when the queue moved, and the crowd waited in anticipation to see what the Veyron would do. The driver planted it, and there was no tyre squeal, no rubber on the tarmac, and the thing just shot off into the distance! Amazing.

http://www.rogandsaz.co.uk/Festival/Veyron.jpg

After watching a few wonderful Brooklands cars go past, we had a wander around the paddock. This was a real highlight for both of us, as where else do you get the chance to see (and touch) so many amazing cars and bikes.

The bonkers Vyrus bike
http://www.rogandsaz.co.uk/Festival/Vyrus.jpg

Yum!
http://www.rogandsaz.co.uk/Festival/Desmo.jpg

The 999 F07 "pillion" check out the grab rail!
http://www.rogandsaz.co.uk/Festival/999.jpg

[SazzaG]

We then wandered up to the spectator viewing point on the hill climb, just before the wall. From there we saw Formula 1 cars new and old, rally cars doing it sideways, many many bikes, and as an extra special treat, a display from Christian Pfeiffer, who wheelied, stoppied, and generally hooliganed his way up the hill on his BMW!

From there we went to look at the Bowler Wildcats (I had to stop Rog drooling at this point), and would have had a go in one, but they were booking times 5 hours ahead.

Rog - "Mate, it's obviously broken, I'll give you a tenner for it"
http://www.rogandsaz.co.uk/Festival/Bowler.jpg

Another quick wander around, and we decided to call it a day.

What a top day out! We were so lucky with the weather, and even caught a bit of sun. I know it's quite pricey (if you have to pay, ahem!), but you really do get a lot for your money. There is so much to see that you would never see anywhere else - like the Bonneville Salt Flats record-breaking cars.

One thing that made me laugh was a bloke behind me in a queue for coffee "I can't believe how many women are here. Surely they can't all be into cars?"

[Guzzirider]

Looks fantastic- I have missed going to the Festival Of Speed and the Revival ever since I moved North.

There is a nice vid somewhere on the MCN site of the Desmosedici being warmed up at Goodwood with flames spitting out.

[scrumpster]

Me and my youngest son went last and had a great day. My colleague has gone today, pity them the weather though, it's pants!!! My dug out path is starting to look like a water feature. Saw James Toseland last year playing in is band. Someone said Kylie was going to be there today - wonder if she was!!!