REV UP FOR THE 2008 GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED
In just two weeks times, at the 2008 Festival of Speed (11-13 July), Goodwood will assemble a selection of world-beating motorcycles and riders, both past and present.
A mouth-watering selection of pre-war two-wheeled machines will be in action on the famous Goodwood hillclimb, including the 1925 JAP V-twin Brough-Superior SS100 – winner of a Brooklands Gold Star in 1926 – plus the ground-breaking three-cylinder supercharged 1939 DKW350SS that has to be heard to be believed.
Post-war legends will also take to hill in fury, including the ex-John Surtees 1957 MV Agusta 500, a 1957 prototype ‘big head’ Gilera 500 designed to beat the dominant MVs, and the 1971 Ducati 500GP responsible for the beginning of the Ducati V-twin dynasty.
Retro classics such as the ex-Barry Sheene 1975 Suzuki XR14 RG500, ex-Mick Grant 1981 Yamaha OW53 YZR500 and ex-Randy Mamola 1989 Cagiva V589 are likely to stir up happy memories amongst the dedicated bike fans, as is the infamous 1978 Ducati 900SS on which Mike Hailwood completed one of the most legendary TT comebacks ever witnessed.
In contrast, some of the most competitive machinery of the modern era will also be put through their paces at the Festival, including current World Superbikes such as the Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000, Endurance Race Bikes such as the BMW HP2 Sport and Phase One Yamaha YZF R1, and current British Superbikes, including the HM Plant Honda CBR1000RR and Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000.
Many stars from world motorcycle racing are also set to attend, including two-time World Superbike Champion Troy Corser, three-time 125cc World Grand Prix Motorcycle Champion Luigi Taveri, five-time World Grand Prix Motorcycle Champion Mick Doohan, ex-GP rider Alex Barros, current World Superbike rider Yukio Kagayama, former World Grand Prix Motorcycle Champion John Surtees and other home-grown heroes such as Carl Fogarty, Stuart Graham, Chas Mortimer and Stan Woods to name but a few. Twelve-time international trials champion Dougie Lampkin will also be popping up all over the Goodwood Estate throughout the Festival of Speed weekend.
