13/12/2006
NEWS STORY
The theme of the fifteenth Goodwood Festival of Speed, due to be held over the weekend of 22 - 24 June 2007, will be 'Spark of Genius - Breaking Records, Pushing Boundaries.'
Through this theme, Goodwood will celebrate the glory of the individual competitors and engineering visionaries who took risks in their quest for victory. From the brave drivers and riders who campaigned in the first Brooklands and Isle of Man TT races 100 years ago, through to the land speed record breakers and the cream of the current F1 and World Rally Championship (WRC) competitors, all have made their mark and will be honoured at the 2007 Festival.
The 2007 theme promises to provide an exciting line-up of rarely-seen, pioneering competition and road machines, as well as legendary driving and riding heroes, past and present. Festival visitors can expect to see innovative racing cars that pioneered technical benefits now commonplace in many everyday family cars, including four-wheel-drive and turbo-charging, in addition to less conventional features, such as six-wheels and ground effects for improved traction.
The Centenary in 2007 of both the opening of Brooklands - the world's first purpose-built motor racing circuit - as well as the first of the gruelling Isle of Man TT motorcycle road races will be celebrated in style at the Festival of Speed. Iconic racing cars and bikes from the Brooklands era and TT will join other glamorous racing machinery in action up the challenging 1.16 mile Goodwood Park hillclimb. A veritable who's who of famous drivers will also gather together in the grounds of Goodwood House for this popular motor sport event, including many current F1 pilots.
At the top of the Goodwood hill, famous rally drivers will whirl up a storm on the Forest Rally Stage, purposely designed by rallying legend Hannu Mikkola. Everything from early 'standard saloons, sideways with spot lamps,' to the thunderous 500bhp Group B cars of the 1980s will be spitting gravel, along with many of the current WRC teams and drivers.
The Sunday Times 'InGear' Supercar run will also get pulses racing, as around 40 of the very latest supercars grace the Goodwood hill, some making their debut in action. On a more tranquil note, the Cartier 'Style et Luxe' automotive design competition will display 50 of the world's most beautiful and intriguing machines.
More mouth-watering machinery will be on view in the huge Exhibition areas, along with all-terrain driving action in the Activities Field. Younger visitors will not be overlooked either, with the Junior Festival of Speed providing a wide array of entertainment, from acrobatic BMX and skateboard champions, to karting and a circus workshop. The 2007 Festival of Speed really will have something for all the family. Watch this space for the latest news on this popular event.
As in previous years, admission to both the Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival (31 August - 2 September) will be strictly by advance ticket only.