MOTORSPORT AT THE 2009 FESTIVAL OF SPEED

Following the recent announcement by the Festival of Speed’s founder Lord March that Goodwood will this year introduce a low emission class to drive up the famous Festival hillclimb, Goodwood is announcing today (1st April) a major push for zero emissions in motor sport.

In agreement with the teams and owners of the 350+ vehicles due to appear at the Festival of Speed between 3-5 July, Goodwood is encouraging the drivers to push their cars up the challenging 1.16-mile hillclimb to reduce emission levels.  Most of the eight current Formula One teams due to attend are already in training, aiming to beat Nick Heidfeld’s record time up the hill of 41.60 seconds in his McLaren-Mercedes MP4/13, with a new time of sub 41 minutes as they push their cars up the steep Goodwood hill. 

A spokesperson for the Braon Formula One team says, “The reduced weight of the 2009-season F1 cars, plus our lack of sponsor stickers, will make it easier for our driver Jensen Bet-on to push the car up the Goodwood hill, despite the new narrow rear spoiler not giving him much leverage.”

In the interests of decency and fair play, some of the older ex-works drivers will be allowed a 30 second ‘breather’ half way up the hill as they push their cars.  A Goodwood butler will be on hand to administer organic non-alcoholic cognac if required for medicinal purposes.