There are very few events that excite motorsport fans like the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The annual event is held on the grounds of picturesque Goodwood House in West Sussex, England. It unites passion for speed with the historic significance of the automobile (especially in the form of racing cars) and an unparalleled variety of vehicles on display and in motion. It’s a fest that celebrates the fascination with and the elegance of motorsport in all its richness. And this fascination is attracting more and more people: over 200,000 visitors are expected this year. BMW M is using the Festival of Speed’s unique setting as an opportunity to present a fascinating line-up of vehicles, including the long-awaited world première of the new BMW M5.
THE CRADLE OF SPEED.
The Goodwood Festival of Speed was founded in 1993 by Charles Gordon-Lennox, the 11th Duke of Richmond. The duke, a passionate motorsport fan himself, wanted to create an event that paid tribute to motorsport’s glorious past while presenting the latest developments in automotive technology. With its rich motor racing history, Goodwood House provided the perfect setting. Back in the 1930s, the estate was a centre for motorsport events, especially the Goodwood Motor Circuit . The first Festival of Speed attracted around 25,000 visitors. Now over 200,000 motorsport fans attend the Festival, underscoring its significance as one of the most important events of its kind.
WORLD PREMIERE: THE ALL-NEW BMW M5.
In addition to all the spectacular events and races, this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed is featuring a sensation that fans and experts have been eagerly awaiting for a long time: The world premiere of the all-new BMW M5. After six generations of the M5, each more spectacular than the last, the press and the public have been wondering: how will they possibly top that? The answer could be found at 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Here’s a teaser: the seventh BMW M5 will be making its début with a V8 M TwinPower Turbo engine with a plug-in hybrid system, the all-wheel drive M xDrive and an 8-speed Steptronic gearbox, to say nothing of its impressive system performance of 535 kW (727 HP) with an incredible 1,000 Nm torque. With this kind of power, the new BMW M5 manages to sprint from 0 to 200 km/h in under 11 seconds. In addition to this spectacular première, there will be another debut: the new BMW X3 M50 xDrive will be presented for the first time to a live audience at Goodwood. Furthermore BMW M is showing numerous other models at the Festival of Speed, including four earlier generations of BMW M5 and the BMW M Hybrid V8, which raced in Le Mans.
GOODWOOD CLASSICS.
Races, rallies, scenic flights and supercar paddocks: the Goodwood Festival of Speed offers highlights aplenty for its visitors. Without a doubt, the most popular of all is the Hillclimb. This speed competition is an absolute classic and the most important event of the entire festival. Supercars and Formula 1 sports cars compete against classic models and drift champions on this 1.86-kilometre course. Over the last years, more and more racing cars with electric drives have participated and set new best times in recent competitions. The Hillclimb is a phenomenal event for spectators because they can follow the entire race from start to finish at close quarters.
GOODWOOD: A FAN FAVOURITE.
Visitors are invited to experience all of the events at close quarters. Not just the exhibits and vehicle presentations. Even during the races, viewers are so close to the action, you might overhear them discuss the drivers’ eye colours. This proximity lets spectators experience the fascinating details on all the racing cars at first hand – from superb rear spoilers and voluminous wheel arches to super sleek car designs – and, above all, the awe-inspiring roar of the engines. The Festival of Speed is truly a sight – and sound – to behold. It is close, accessible and personal, making it exceptionally popular among fans.
A DIVERSITY CLASSIC.
Diversity has always been the name of the game at Goodwood Festival of Speed. From historic racing cars, modern supercars and motorcycles to futuristic concept vehicles, Festival of Speed has something for everyone. The vehicle exhibits are carefully curated and present a comprehensive overview of the history and development of motorsport.
WHO’S WHO.
Goodwood Festival of Speed draws an impressive number of participants every year, including many famous racing drivers, figures from the automotive world and celebrities who simply love cars. The list of participants is a unique who’s who spanning from Formula 1 world champions like Emerson Fittipaldi, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, from legendary drivers like Sir Jackie Stewart and Stirling Moss to motorsport fans like Hollywood star Keanu Reeves. The stars participate in events and drive in races, and any visitor may approach them for autographs or selfies.
BACK TO THE FUTURE.
The future of Festival is guaranteed thanks to its variety of cars, fascinating participants and, last but not least, the great lasting interest of the public. This is all the more so since the event’s organiser, the Duke of Richmond, is greatly committed to representing pioneering technologies at the festival. Not only the constantly increasing number of electrically driven vehicles but also the plethora of new events are testaments to his commitment. One of those events is Electric Avenue, a regularly held exhibit on the latest trends in electric mobility. The Future Lab, a kind of trade fair for future technologies, is another. That is why Goodwood Festival of Speed is and remains an essential event on motorsport enthusiasts’ racing calendars. It is a celebration of speed, passion for technology, and innovation. Now and in the future.
