AS the sun set on Sunday, the curtains came down on the biggest event in the UK’s automotive calendar.
The best part of 200,000 visitors turned up at Lord March’s Sussex estate over the four-day ‘motoring garden party’, despite warnings of miserable weather which, thankfully, never really materialised. Whatever the weather, the Festival of Speed is always a fantastic day out, so, for those that couldn’t make it down to Goodwood House, here are our highlights.
Sebastien Loeb’s record attempt
Rally legend Sebastien Loeb came to Goodwood with just one challenge in mind: to beat Nick Heidfeld’s record on the Hill of 41.6 seconds. The nine-time WRC champion failed to achieve this feat on either of his runs, blaming the short gearing. However, he did win the event overall, setting a time of 44.6 seconds in his specially-prepared Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak. His nearest challenger was Michael Bartels in the Maserati MC12 ‘Goodwood Cent 100’ with a time of 45.82 seconds.
Jay Kay was there taking his new Green Ferrari around the track!
The Supercars steal the show!
The Koenigsegg Agera One:1 with 1,340hp and 1,000Nm of torque was an undeniable star of the show, along with two Ferrari LaFerraris (including Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay’s lurid green example), a Lamborghini Huracan and the Porsche 918 Spyder it was one of many stunning, high-performance motors on show. The Porsche was powered entirely by its electric motor.
BMW i8 – Electrical Genius!
BMW brought its striking, electric supercar to the show. With the doors hinged at the A-pillar and futuristic styling, the i8 was a huge draw to the BMW stand. This car is stunning! Although they are saying with the rise in electricity prices that electric cars might end up too expensive to run! That said BMW have pulled off the electrical car concept with this model!
The Concept Cars
Technically, the Q50 Eau Rouge is a concept, but interest is so high that it seems almost certain to become a production reality. Less likely to hit showrooms is the Aston Martin DP-100 (below), designed for the virtual world of the Gran Turismo racing game. That said, it was no computer graphic sat in the Goodwood Supercar Paddock. The Maserati Alfieri, which was first exhibited at Geneva earlier this year, was also on display at the Maserati stand. The sleek smooth bodies of these concept cars is incredible!
Mazda MX-5 is 25 years old this Year!
Audi showed off its new TT, The Infiniti Q50 was a big attraction and Mazda showcased the25th Anniversary MX-5 before it is to be replaced next year! (for the Infiniti and Mazda and Audi please visit www.greenappleleasing.co.uk where we have unbeatable deals on a wide range of lease cars. For special exclusive offers for warrington worldwide Readers please email [email protected] for preferential rates and offers).
All in all a show not to be missed by anyone who has a love of cars!
