The main drive through the park of Lord March’s Goodwood House once again echoed to the sound of a wide variety of mouth-watering machinery at the Festival of Speed held June 25-27. Since its inception in 1994 the Festival has established itself as the biggest and most diverse classic motor sports event in the world, providing something for everyone, whatever their area of interest and all in a garden party atmosphere that makes the visitor feel like an invited guest. While not all historic racing enthusiasts approve of some of the tyre-smoking antics performed by the contemporary Formula 1 teams and drivers it is obvious that many of those who come for that spectacle also leave impressed by the magic of the older machinery and the charisma and approachability of an older generation of drivers. If this brings new converts to historic racing and an appreciation of the past it must surely be for the good.
The trump card of the Festival of Speed has always been the reuniting of cars and drivers from times gone by and this is achieved through a series of themed groups. This year the main focus was on ‘Young Chargers and Old Masters’, showing how the desire to race has passed down through the generations. This provided the most evocative scene of the weekend as first-time Festival visitor Jacques Villeneuve stepped into the very Ferrari 312T3 raced by his father Gilles to win the 1978 Canadian Grand Prix. Jacques was clearly moved by the occasion, saying “It was really great and very special, even if it was short. I never thought I would do this. It’s something you do once in a lifetime and that’s what it will remain. This run was like thank you and goodbye to my Dad”. Among others honoring the achievements of their famous fathers were David Donohue, having his first run in the Lola-Ford Type 153 ‘Sunoco Special’ raced by his father Mark to 2nd place in the Indy 500 in 1970 and Gary Bettenhausen, in his father Tony’s Kurtis Kraft Offenhauser ‘Belunger Special.’
Visitor expectations run high every year as the organisers strive to bring something fresh to the Festival. For 2004, this came in the shape of the trucks, cars and bikes celebrating 25 years of the Paris-Dakar Rally, the toughest, most dangerous and least predictable of motor sport events. Some of the trucks were simply enormous and among the cars were a Porsche 911SC and two 959s, with original driver Jacky Ickx joined for this occasion by his daughter Vanina. Indianapolis winner Gil de Ferran was on hand to help celebrate the achievements of his hero and fellow countryman, Ayrton Senna, by driving the McLaren MP4/8 taken to victory at Donington in 1993. This car was just one of an impressive line-up of cars driven by Senna during his career. The Spirit of America theme brought together Bobby Allison and his 1983 NASCAR championship-winning Buick Regal. Among other first-time combinations were Masahiro Hasemi and the Kojima 007 that set fastest lap at the 1976 Japanese Grand Prix, Jacques Laffite driving the 1980 Ligier-Cosworth JS11 and Bruno Giacomelli with the Porsche 962 that he raced at Le Mans in 1990. Regulars Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jack Brabham and John Surtees all made appearances, the latter driving the actual Ferrari 158 in which he won the 1964 Mexican Grand Prix to clinch the World Drivers Championship. Surtees also had his first run in the 1965 Honda RA272 along with his regular demonstration mount, the Mercedes W154.
Some entrants opted to do timed runs rather than simply demonstrate vehicles and close competition developed between Justin Law in the 1990 Le Mans winning Jaguar XJR12 and Peter Hardman in the Surtees/Parkes 1966 Monza 1000km winning Ferrari 330P3, the latter being especially impressive. By the close Law beat Hardman by just a tenth of a second with a time of 49.26 sec for the 1.1-mile hill which gets progressively steep. Hardman and the Ferrari were recorded at a remarkable 121mph through the speed trap. The award for the fastest historic racing car went to John Delane from California and his ex-Jackie Stewart Tyrrell 006 with a time of 50.88 seconds.
Rolls Royce have a factory on the estate so it was fitting that the main feature in front of Goodwood House should this year celebrate the centenary of the famous manufacturer. Three 30 metre high winged sculptures by Gerry Judah displayed Sir Malcolm Campbell’s 1935 World Land Speed Record Bluebird V, the 1929 Schneider Trophy-winning Supermarine S6B and a replica of the World Water Speed Bluebird K4. This stunning display recalled the dominance of Rolls Royce motive power on land, in the air and on the water.
By Keith Booker
