Motor sport starsready for Goodwoodfestival excitement

The huge changes since the first Festival of Speed in 1993 when 2,000 were expected and 20,000 turned up. Now the visitors number 175,000+.

The 2011 event is geared towards a Festival for the whole family: young and old alike.

With free tickets for children up to 12 years, and half price for 13 to 18, value pricing is geared to welcoming everyone.

There is something for everyone, from cars to bars to great attractions, providing fun and excitement for all. From F1 teams to Junior Festival of Speed, plus lots of interactive side shows.

Built in a 200 acre showground within the Goodwood Estate, it has all the ancillary services to ensure the comfort, entertainment and safety of all visitors.

The building programme is been undertaken to ensure minimal disturbance to the Grade 1 Historic Park and Gardens.

The huge investment by Goodwood in all its activities contributes c. £150 million per annum to the local economy.

Already the build-up has started. The scaffolding is on site, the road bridges are being built, the caterers are designing their menus and the beers, wines and champagne have all been chosen.

The first Festival of Speed was staged in 1993 when 2,000 were expected through the gates. 25,000 turned up! How times have changed? The 2011 event is set to be the biggest and best yet. Facilities are being prepared to cater for over 175,000 visitors.

There are so many attractions for everyone, promising fun and excitement for every age group and a great family day out.

The grass is being cut; all 2,000 acres of it, the hedges, the flowers and plants are being groomed to present Goodwood at its best. The 200 acre temporary showground creating space for; the marquees, the stands, the exhibitions and interactive activities are being built. Space for the Moving Motor Show, the Supercar Paddock, the famous Hill climb, the Forest Rally stage for the keen enthusiast and the lover of excitement as well. For everyone there is all that and much more.

At least nine of the current 12 Formula One teams, plus most of the current World Rally Championship teams, will be there to entertain the huge crowds, who themselves create such a great atmosphere.

Famous names from the world of motor sport and further afield will be showing up.

Then there is FoS-TECH, the Exhibitors area, the Cricket Pitch with GAS (Goodwood Action Sports), Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’, Junior Festival of Speed with the Wacky Races; the list goes on and on.

This year entrance for under 13s is free, and 12 to 18 year olds are half price. Goodwood’s 2011 event is being billed as a Summer Festival for everyone and great value for day-long entertainment.

There is so much more to the Festival of Speed than the thrill of the hillclimb.

Take time to wander around and soak up the atmosphere of this great Grade 1 Historic Park.

Enjoy a break at one of the many restuarants and cafés dotted around. Have fun in the sideshows. Maybe lie out in the sun and watch the flying displays, headed up by the world famous Red Arrows, appearing for three days of the Festival.

To make this all work and ensure that people will come and go home happy with the memory of a great day out there is an army of workers on site to build and dismantle the temporary facilities.

There is 3,000 sq.m of marquees and temporary structures, five miles of fencing, over four miles of temporary road and walkways, in addition to the ancillary infrastructure required to ensure the comfort and safety of all the visitors to the Festival and to minimise any damage to the Estate.

Goodwood Estate is working with BSI to gain certification to the British Standard BS 8901, sustainable management for events, which will be widely recognised as the new standard throughout the industry

Hundreds of local people are employed during the building through to the dismantling of the temporary showground.

The Goodwood Estate contributes around £150 million per annum to the local economy.

It all kicks off on the 30th June so here’s to some great weather, great fun and excitement to give a great day out for all.