Goodwood comes back to public life

This past weekend, the greats and the good of motorsport was present at Goodwood for the annual Festival of Speed. Having been forced not to run in 2020, its return in 2021 was in doubt until it acquired pilot status as part of the UK governments Events Research Programme, allowing 80% capacity crowds. Sadly, quite a few of the well known overseas contributors were not able to attend or bring their vehicles, so the event had more of a 'home based' feel to it. Even so, some star names were able to fly in and use cars based here for their displays.

Stars who attended included Roger Penske and Mario Andretti, who drove, or had present, a selection of their cars from over the decades of their involvement in motorsport.

All the disciplines of the sport were covered, Subarus and Martini sponsored cars making a big feature representing rallying.

Formula One was an obvious draw with many teams sending at least one of their older cars, and the Mclaren drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris both playing to the crowds.

But for most people, it is the more historic cars that they come to see, rekindling memories of past years of events they either attended or watched via television.

Considering the difficulties of organising a 'safe' event in these difficult times, the event went off very smoothly, with an air of refinement, as you would expect from Goodwood. Indeed, it was just as if a sleeping giant had been re-awakened from its slumbers.

Well done to the Duke of Richmond and his team, I am now eagerly anticipating next year's event.

Text and Images: Steve Tarrant/Chequered Flag Services