Goodwood, March 19, 2009
On a glorious bright and sunny spring day, Lord March unveiled
the plans and themes for this year's Festival of Speed at a special
press preview day at Goodwood House. Amongst those in
attendance were ex-F1 legends Damon Hill, Jacky Ickx and
Jochen Mass, together with rally aces Rauno Aaltonen and
Russell Brookes plus Le Mans drivers Richard Attwood and
Anthony Reid. There was also a wide variety of delectable
machinery, including a 1909 Morgan three wheeler, the company
celebrates its centenary this year, as do Audi, who had an Auto
Union Type D "Silver Arrows" and a Quattro Sport S1 on display
representing their great motor sport heritage. They will also be the
main feature marque at the Festival of Speed in July, with what is
promised to be an awe inspiring sculpture on the main lawn in
front of Goodwood House.
The theme of this year's edition is "True Grit - Epic Feats of
Endurance", to celebrate the courage of motor sport heroes, who
overcame physical, mental and mechanical problems to achieve
their aims. It was also announced that current F1 World
Champion, Lewis Hamilton, would be in attendance, and that he
would realise one of his dreams, by driving his childhood hero,
Ayrton Senna's 1988 McLaren-Honda MP4/4 up the hill. It was
also announced that his charity, the Lewis Hamilton Foundation,
which focuses on improving the lives and opportunities of sick or
impoverished youngsters around the world to try and help them
achieve their dream or goal in life, will be the event's official 2009
charity.
1959 saw the birth of the iconic Mini, so it has its Golden
Anniversary this year, and to celebrate this it will feature strongly
at the Festival in July and also at the Revival Meeting in
September. As a prelude, on the press day a dozen mini skirt
clad models aided by Lord March and Damon Hill squeezed into
an original example of the car. Another centenary is that of
Bugatti, and the Cartier "Style et Luxe" concours at the Festival
of Speed will have a special class for the marquee. Renowned
British model (and some time race driver) Jodie Kidd was at the
preview day, resplendent in period costume to pose with a
Gangloff bodied 1937 Type 57C, after having demonstrated a
Maserati Gransport on the hill.
Note the dates of the Festival of Speed in your diary now, 03 - 05
July 2009, and enjoy one of the world's top motoring
extravaganzas, where you can get up close and personal with
motor sport legends and their machines, plus enjoy great action,
both on the hill and on the rally stage with a garden party
atmosphere.
|
