Festival of Speed - End of the Golden Era?

[Andy Zarse]

Having "conveniently" engineered a meeting in Bognor Regis at 9am this morning, I then toddled along to Goodwood to enjoy another Festival of Speed. Not having been for a couple of years, I have to say I was very disappointed, the event isn't like it used to be.

Firstly, the event has grown much bigger than previously, and it's much more commercial. There's corporate sponsorship everywhere, even the classic car concours is sponsored by Cartier. It never used to be like this, not back in the good old days. I was similarly disappointed that you can't get so close to the track as you used to be able to see the cars. Actually this doesn't matter so much as I've already seen most of this year's cars at Goodwood over the years. You'd think they'd be able to get something new for us to look at, I'm sick of bloody Group C, F1 and this years Le Mans winning cars are always there, Audi and Aston this time. I've just watched them all bloody weekend, what the hell do I want to see them again for?  And they can stick their CanAm cars too. As for the drivers, well Dullsville AZ, Attwood, Bell, Moss, Mass, Andretti, Fittipaldi, Mikkola, Hamilton, Hill, Hopkirk, I could go on, but they're all old hat has-beens, get someone else for God's sake!

I was also appalled by some of the people who attended. There were some awful people drinking near a bar (which have proliferated by the way) and they had no shirts on. They seemed quite roudy, I'm sure they'd been drinking lager. I mean, why is cold lager and cider on sale at Goodwood? I was aghast! I also saw some rough looking fellows with football shirts on! They looked as if they might be common, as there were some tradesmens vans in the carpark. What on earth is the world coming to? It's just more lowered standards, we'll sink into a mass of chavs, benefits cheques and White Lightening Cider at this rate.

As for the weather, it's a disgrace too. It rained for a while, maybe 15 mins and this ruinned my day as I had no jacket or brolly with me. It's all Lord March's fault and no mistake.

Anyway, the price of the tickets is ridiculous (free) as is the car parking (free) and the shuttle buses (free), all in all a complete let down and a waste of my day. I won't be going next year. 

[Steve Pyro]

You old bullsh**ter Zarse. 

[Rhino]

Having just come back from there i have to say it was the end, of the Aston Martin Vantage rally car. A spectacular spin and clouting the straw bales just up from me meant it looked very second hand. They captured it on tv so wait for highlights

[Snoring Rhino]

I am deeply saddened by you news Mr Zarse, My nice friends at the Times kindly sent me some privilege tickets for today but due to my social calendar being rather full I was unable to avail myself.
Cold Larger and Cider may suffice for the minions at footie but at Goodwood, good gracious whatever next. Are you sure the yobs without shirts and in football shirts weren’t some helpers taking advantage of Lord Freddie’s offer of some refreshment before being taken back to their quarters.
As for the weather my dear, I afraid we all must get close to some at some time, where was your man with the Brolly, you know the cheeky fellow with the fetching leather attire?
Ah well, time for Tiffin, Toot Toot as they say in the Automobile circles.

[redstu]

Thanks for the update Andy, I had always thought that Goodwood was above my station so had given it a miss for fear of being birched and run out of town. 

[Lord Pig-Pen]

To use your own words if I may, What on earth is the world coming to!

I am now pleased that i was unable to use the free tickets I was offered as my hectic work schedule did not permit.

It must have been horrid to see such heathen behaving in such a manner at this type of event. Christ knows, next year there will probably be unidentifiable bare chested men wearing masks, capes and vulgar underpants.

My mother can have my tickets next year.

With regard to the tradespersons vans littering the carpark, one imagines they must have been abandoned by a passing group of gypsies. One would hope so!

Ta ta

[Doris]

You old bullsh**ter Zarse. 

No Steve, it's all true!!!  Same old cars, same old drivers, and football shirt wielding youths swilling lager.  I was as outraged as Andy.

Mostly though I'm still trying to get my head around the skate ramps.  WTF!!!

Dx

[Steve Pyro]

Just as well my free tickets only arrived in this mornings mail then (we have pigeon post here).

I'm now devastated that I missed the same old same old as in previous years.
Champagne bar still bloody expensive?

[Nobby Diesel]

Having "conveniently" engineered a meeting in Bognor Regis at 9am this morning, I then toddled along to Goodwood to enjoy another Festival of Speed. Not having been for a couple of years, I have to say I was very disappointed, the event isn't like it used to be.

Firstly, the event has grown much bigger than previously, and it's much more commercial. There's corporate sponsorship everywhere, even the classic car concours is sponsored by Cartier. It never used to be like this, not back in the good old days. I was similarly disappointed that you can't get so close to the track as you used to be able to see the cars. Actually this doesn't matter so much as I've already seen most of this year's cars at Goodwood over the years. You'd think they'd be able to get something new for us to look at, I'm sick of bloody Group C, F1 and this years Le Mans winning cars are always there, Audi and Aston this time. I've just watched them all bloody weekend, what the hell do I want to see them again for?  And they can stick their CanAm cars too. As for the drivers, well Dullsville AZ, Attwood, Bell, Moss, Mass, Andretti, Fittipaldi, Mikkola, Hamilton, Hill, Hopkirk, I could go on, but they're all old hat has-beens, get someone else for God's sake!

I was also appalled by some of the people who attended. There were some awful people drinking near a bar (which have proliferated by the way) and they had no shirts on. They seemed quite roudy, I'm sure they'd been drinking lager. I mean, why is cold lager and cider on sale at Goodwood? I was aghast! I also saw some rough looking fellows with football shirts on! They looked as if they might be common, as there were some tradesmens vans in the carpark. What on earth is the world coming to? It's just more lowered standards, we'll sink into a mass of chavs, benefits cheques and White Lightening Cider at this rate.

As for the weather, it's a disgrace too. It rained for a while, maybe 15 mins and this ruinned my day as I had no jacket or brolly with me. It's all Lord March's fault and no mistake.

Anyway, the price of the tickets is ridiculous (free) as is the car parking (free) and the shuttle buses (free), all in all a complete let down and a waste of my day. I won't be going next year. 

 

[Nordic]

Having just come back from there i have to say it was the end, of the Aston Martin Vantage rally car. A spectacular spin and clouting the straw bales just up from me meant it looked very second hand. They captured it on tv so wait for highlights

Well pissed off that I had to miss it. Could not get the time off work in the end, but pleased to say my tickets found a home with a mates father in law.

The Aston crash seems to have been a bit more serious than first thought. Someone got hit in the face by debis from the car or a post and had to be carted off by the medics it seems.

I expect he debris fence supplers are busy warming thier machines.

[Robbo SPS]

but you can still get up behind the bikes in the paddock, and that for me is worth the entry fee.

[Rhino]

Heres the  Aston crash
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=kfvYP3WEULA