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GOODWOODS RACE OF THE STARS

By Paul Gover

By Paul Gover, trackside at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, for Auto Action

What started as a fun weekend for British enthusiasts is now the world’s top motoring event.

Nigel Mansell (GBR) Ferrari 639 during the Goodwood Festival Of Speed at Goodwood House & Estate. (Photo  LAT Images)

It’s a name and a place, but it’s an experience unlike any other. The Festival of Speed deserves to be at the top of any – and every – motoring bucket list.

Think of your favourite racing car and there is every chance it will be at Goodwood in June.

There is mine – a McLaren M8F, shining in signature papaya bodywork and bellowing from its 7.6-litre V8 engine.

But there are legendary cars everywhere, from the 1910 Fiat nicknamed the ‘Beast of Turin’ for its flame-thrower 28-litre twin-cylinder engine, to the Red 5 Williams that was raced by Nigel Mansell to his F1 world title.

And there is Mansell, as the late Murray Walker might have said, now sporting the signature moustache from his glory days in F1.

Mansell was the star of the show, he drove his Ferrari and his Red 5 Williams and thrilled the crowd.

If you’re wondering how F1 ace and Bathurst winner Jacky Ickx is doing, take a look. There he is, driving a howling grand prix Ferrari from the sixties.

We have assembled some of the many great moments from the weekends events here, and we have a great 4 page Paul Gover feature in the next issue of AUTO ACTION on sale later this week.

Enjoy the magnificent photos supplied by Motorsport Images

Notably 1992 F1 World Champion Nigel Mansell has grown his legendary moustache

 

Mansell jumped back behind the wheel of the very car in which he won the 1992 F1 title, the Williams FW14B on Sunday

 

Nigel Mansell (GBR) Williams FW15B during the Goodwood Festival Of Speed at Goodwood House & Estate

 

Mansell was the star attraction of the event, he drove several of his hold F1 cars as he celebrated 40 years since his title win

 

The Beast of Turin during the Goodwood Festival Of Speed at Goodwood House & Estate England

 

There was a bit of everything in 2022, above is one of NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon’s title winning Chevrolet Impala SS machines

 

There were plenty of Porsches at Goodwood this year including a 936, multiple-time Le Mans 24 Hours Jacky Ickx jumped behind the wheel of the Martini liveried car at Goodwood

 

Derek Bell behind the wheel of the legendary Rothmans sponsored 962

 

Another 962…

 

During the weekend Porsche unveiled the car it will field in the Wold Endurance Championship and IMSA Sportscar Championship, it is appropriately named the 963

 

There were cars old and new, on the other end of the scale was a retro Delage DH V12

 

Former Formula 1 driver Max Chilton smashed the Goodwood Hillclimb record in a McMurtry Spéirling, the fan powered car turned heads literally as it accelerates from 0-100kp/h in just 1.4s

 

Many famous named flocked to the event including our own Mark Webber, the former F1 driver and Porsche factory driver jumped behind the wheel of a Porsche RS Spyder

 

Another ex-F1 driver, Rene Arnoux drove one of his turbo powered Renaults up the hill

 

Nine-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Tom Kristensen driving an Auto Union

 

Not only did Nigel Mansell drive his championship winning Williams, he also completed several runs in his Ferrari 639

 

Former Ferrari test driver Marc Gene driving a Ferrari that is already over a decade old

 

One of, if not the longest car at the festival a Sunbeam 350HP

 

Mika Hakkinen (FIN) McLaren MP4/5B during the Goodwood Festival Of Speed at Goodwood House & Estate (Photo by JEP / LAT Images)

 

Rene Arnoux – Renault during the Goodwood Festival Of Speed at Goodwood House & Estate,(Photo by LAT Images)

 

Mark Webber – Porsche RS Spyder during the Goodwood Festival Of Speed at Goodwood House & Estate (Photo by LAT Images)

 

Alfa Romeo P3 during the Goodwood Festival Of Speed at Goodwood House & Estate (Photo by JEP / LAT Images)

 

Marino Franchitti – Ferrari 512 S during the Goodwood Festival Of Speed at Goodwood House & Estate (Photo by JEP / LAT Images)

 

Holly Mason-Franchitti – Ferrari 250MM during the Goodwood Festival Of Speed at Goodwood House & Estate (Photo by JEP / LAT Images)

 

 

Dario Franchitti – March-Cosworth 86c during the Goodwood Festival Of Speed at Goodwood House & Estate  (Photo by JEP / LAT Images)