The Goodwood Festival of Speed is to undergo one of its biggest changes for years when it takes place on 4-7 July 2019. A new “amphitheater of action”, named simply “The Arena”, will feature drift cars, stunt driving, and car and motorcycle displays, with the chance for fans to interact with the drivers and riders. Now, if you’re a regular Festival of Speed visitor, you’ll be wondering where The Arena is going to be, because there’s already plenty going on. It will be based in what was the Cathedral Paddock, where the supercars were based; the Michelin Supercar Paddock will relocate to the space next to the start line of the Hill, where the Moving Motor Show used to be. The First Glance Paddock will now be next to the FoS Future Lab, among the manufacturer stands, to show off the latest cars and technology–last year it was home to Roborace and JetPack Aviation’s ‘jet pack man’.
Other changes will include adding an e-gaming arena to the Goodwood Action Sports zone, joining the regular BMX, mountain bikers, trials riders and freestyle motocross. And on the Hill, after three days of practice runs, the fastest cars of the weekend–Supercars, touring cars, electric cars and specially-built hillclimb specials–will enter the Sunday Shootout to attempt to beat the 41.6-second record time that has stood for 20 years. The three fastest cars will be displayed outside Goodwood House after the Shootout.
The Duke of Richmond, founder of the Festival of Speed said, “While celebrating the Silver Jubilee of the Festival of Speed last year we enjoyed record attendance. We’ve seen an incredible 4 million visitors through the event gates over the last quarter of a century. We’re always very conscious of looking to the future as much as we are celebrating the past. We hope with Future Lab, and the relocation of the paddocks to make way for the new live action arena, there really is something to represent every area of motorsport and technology. There is something to appeal to all, from the youngest in the family to the most hardcore motorsport fan.” Tickets are now available on the Goodwood website.
Images courtesy of Goodwood
