.png)
The best of the 2015 Festival, including an 800bhp Aston and a warp-speed Impreza
You'll have noticed that there isn't a British Motor Show anymore. Hasn't been for years, in fact. And with another cracking Goodwood Festival of Speed wrapped up and in the bag, the question remains: do we even need one anymore?
Because what motor show gives you the rare privilege of watching Sir Stirling Moss drive his old SLR on a hillclimb? What motor show lets Ferrari ace and rant-enthusiast Kimi Raikkonen mash a 2010, V8-engined Ferrari F1 car up a treacherous 1.16-mile stretch of driveway?
And what motor show allows a man named Ken Block do massive, smoky donuts in front of a lordly residence in a modified, 845bhp Mustang? Yeah, only Goodwood.
This year's Festival - the 22nd since the event began way back in 1993 - was one for the books, too. There was way too much motoring goodness stuffed over three days, so we have attempted to highlight some of the, err, highlights. Feel free to agree, or disagree, to your heart's content in the space below...
Because what motor show gives you the rare privilege of watching Sir Stirling Moss drive his old SLR on a hillclimb? What motor show lets Ferrari ace and rant-enthusiast Kimi Raikkonen mash a 2010, V8-engined Ferrari F1 car up a treacherous 1.16-mile stretch of driveway?
And what motor show allows a man named Ken Block do massive, smoky donuts in front of a lordly residence in a modified, 845bhp Mustang? Yeah, only Goodwood.
This year's Festival - the 22nd since the event began way back in 1993 - was one for the books, too. There was way too much motoring goodness stuffed over three days, so we have attempted to highlight some of the, err, highlights. Feel free to agree, or disagree, to your heart's content in the space below...
Mazda's 787B made one of the finest racing noises known to man
Mazda was the celebrated manufacturer this year, with a sculpture that took in the very excellent 787B Le Mans-winning racer from 1991, and the even more very excellent Vision Gran Turismo LM55 concept.
Oh, and about that 787B: listening to it go up the hill was something those present will tell their grandchildren about.
People got to see a LaFerrari FXXK up close
Rude name, even ruder noise. Ferrari's special skunkworks edition LaFerrari made an appearance at this year's FoS, and was welcomed with fearful ears by all around. Monster V12s are just the business, aren't they?
The Fiat S76 - or ‘Beast of Turin' - made some fire and lots of noise
You heard it start for the first time in 100 years, here. And if you were present at this year's FoS, you'd have seen it tackle the hillclimb, too. Owner Duncan Pittaway has spent the last twelve years restoring the iconic Fiat, which in 1911 set a new record for the fastest flying mile. Turn it up, LOUD.
Mad Mike went quite mad in his drifty RX7
Goodwood announced a drifting category for the first time at a FoS event, and who better to demonstrate the dark art of sideways than drifting star ‘Mad' Mike Whiddett and his crowd-pleasing RX-7?
The fastest car up the hill was a Subaru Impreza named Gobstopper II
We like Subaru Imprezas. We like silly names. Marry the two, and unleash onto a 1.16-mile hillclimb that's scarier to drive fast than it looks, and you have the makings of a speed king.
Taking the top spot over the three-day period as the fastest car up the Goodwood hill was this Impreza, clocking a time of 44.91 seconds - just a few seconds over Nick Heidfeld's record-breaking 41.6 second run in an F1 car. Will Heidfeld's time ever be beaten?
We like Subaru Imprezas. We like silly names. Marry the two, and unleash onto a 1.16-mile hillclimb that's scarier to drive fast than it looks, and you have the makings of a speed king.
Taking the top spot over the three-day period as the fastest car up the Goodwood hill was this Impreza, clocking a time of 44.91 seconds - just a few seconds over Nick Heidfeld's record-breaking 41.6 second run in an F1 car. Will Heidfeld's time ever be beaten?
A Nismo Juke went on two wheels
Pretty much what it says on the tin. One Nismo Juke. Two wheels. Much applause.
Pretty much what it says on the tin. One Nismo Juke. Two wheels. Much applause.
A Trophy Truck happened
Please just enjoy the lunacy of this image. You're welcome, Internet.
Please just enjoy the lunacy of this image. You're welcome, Internet.
Aston Martin unleashed the Vulcan up the hill
Holy moly. Please just take a moment to applaud Aston Martin and works driver Darren Turner. For the FoS, Aston brought down the 800bhp, V12-engined Vulcan. And rather than make a slow, careful run up the hill for its first ever public appearance, Turner did the only thing acceptable in these circumstances.
A socking great burnout off the line. Well done, chap.
Holy moly. Please just take a moment to applaud Aston Martin and works driver Darren Turner. For the FoS, Aston brought down the 800bhp, V12-engined Vulcan. And rather than make a slow, careful run up the hill for its first ever public appearance, Turner did the only thing acceptable in these circumstances.
A socking great burnout off the line. Well done, chap.
Valentino Rossi became the new King of Goodwood...
The Doctor made his Goodwood debut on Sunday, and, judging by the sea of yellow flags in the crowd, literally everyone in Britain headed to Sussex to cheer him on.
Rossi came to the FoS straight from a Moto GP win in Assen, and snaked up the hill in his Yamaha motorbike, as well as a Lancia Delta S4 Group B car and that glorious Mazda 787B.
But watching him on the balcony at Goodwood overlooking the crowds felt like a coronation. All hail.
The Doctor made his Goodwood debut on Sunday, and, judging by the sea of yellow flags in the crowd, literally everyone in Britain headed to Sussex to cheer him on.
Rossi came to the FoS straight from a Moto GP win in Assen, and snaked up the hill in his Yamaha motorbike, as well as a Lancia Delta S4 Group B car and that glorious Mazda 787B.
But watching him on the balcony at Goodwood overlooking the crowds felt like a coronation. All hail.
...but Ken Block stole the entire show with his 845bhp ‘Hoonicorn'
Of course we'd say that. We were lucky enough to have a ride in it up the hill.
But if you've heard anything more feral, or seen anything more brutal and cooler than Block's modified Mustang, we need to hear from you. The Goodwood crowd - who mobbed Ken left, right and centre - certainly appreciated the appearance of Mr Hoonigan and his Hoonicorn.
If Steve McQueen were alive today, we reckon he'd give a subtle nod of appreciation to Ken and his Mustang.
Of course we'd say that. We were lucky enough to have a ride in it up the hill.
But if you've heard anything more feral, or seen anything more brutal and cooler than Block's modified Mustang, we need to hear from you. The Goodwood crowd - who mobbed Ken left, right and centre - certainly appreciated the appearance of Mr Hoonigan and his Hoonicorn.
If Steve McQueen were alive today, we reckon he'd give a subtle nod of appreciation to Ken and his Mustang.
0 comments:
Post a Comment