With the sun (almost) breaking through leaden skies, a BMW driven by Lord March was the first car up the Goodwood hillcimb this morning to officially mark the start of the 2016 Festival of Speed. Four days of “Full Throttle” and the “Endless Pursuit of Power” start here.
JUN 23rd 2016
The Moving Motor Show Is GO!
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The BMW i8 hybrid supercar made a dramatic counterpoint to the sports and racing car heritage on show in this year’s Central Feature in front of the house, all adding up to a uniquely Goodwood way of commencing BMW’s centenary celebrations in the UK.
In Lord March’s tyre-tracks quickly came a whole procession of cars in the Moving Motor Show as FoS visitors became some of the first people in the world to drive the newest and most exciting new models.
BMW, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lexus, Honda, Maserati, Abarth and Porsche were among the manufacturers making their cars available for test drives and rides up the famous 1.16-mile hill.
“The Moving Motor Show just gets bigger and bigger with the manufacturers using it as the ideal way to introduce their latest models to what must be the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable motoring audience in the world,” said Lord March just before he took to the track in the i8, a last minute change after gremlins struck down the BMW 507 he was scheduled to drive.
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Last year 35,000 people attended the Moving Motor Show and an even larger crowd is expected this year.
What does it mean to Lord March to open the 24th FoS in a BMW in the company’s centenary year?
“It’s a huge thing for us because BMW are such a big part of the event and great supporter of Goodwood as a whole,” he told us. “With BMW first coming here in 1995 and Rolls-Royce making their wonderful cars here, it’s a very special relationship.”
Does the FoS founder have a message for the expected 200,000 visitors over the next four days?
“Enjoy the event, and enjoy this year’s theme. ‘Full throttle, the endless pursuit of power’ is a wonderful excuse to bring all the baddest and craziest cars and bikes to Goodwood, and weather permitting it’s going to be a sensational few days.
“My own personal highlights? The entire BMW centenary celebration is going to great. I am looking forward to seeing the Porsche that won Le Mans here, and for me the James Hunt and Barry Sheene tributes are going to be very special.”
Photography by Pete Summers
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