Recreating motorsport’s most epic rivalries on at the 2026 Festival of Speed

This dedicated batch reflects the drama, intensity and determination of history’s greatest motorsport contests. Spanning everything from Formula 1, MotoGP and World Superbikes to IndyCar, Le Mans, the WRC and the Isle of Man TT, the run brings the immense talent and fierce animosity of racing's legendary titans to the edge of the track, divided into four distinct chapters.

The journey into the past begins with "Pioneers to Playboys", a segment highlighting the drastic evolution of the racing driver's persona. The grandstands have been treated to the thundering sound of James Hunt’s Championship-winning 1976 McLaren-Cosworth M23D, which stands in stark contrast to the ‘Dawn of Speed’, featuring Duncan Pittaway wrestling the fire-breathing 1911 Fiat S76 "Beast of Turin" alongside the ancient 1893 Salvesen Steam Wagonette.

Nine-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen has piloted a stunning fleet of Auto Unions — the 1938 Type D, 1939 Type C, and 1934 Lucca. They share the tarmac with racing icon Mario Andretti in the 1909 Christie, Marino Franchitti in a glorious 1957 Maserati 250F, and Ben Collings guiding an historic Alfa Romeo P3 Tipo B up the Hill.

‘Mulsanne to Molecomb’, meanwhile, celebrates the fierce sportscar battles. Spectators have stood face-to-face with legendary silhouettes purpose-built to conquer the Le Mans 24 Hours, headlined by the breathtaking 1997 McLaren F1 GTR 'Long Tail' and the recently authenticated 1970 Porsche 917LH ‘Hippie Car’.

In a moment of pure theatre, a striking 1966 Ferrari 330/412P and the legendary 1988 Jaguar XJR-9 LM ran side-by-side directly in front of Goodwood House, roaring past the crowds in perfect unison. Seeing these aerodynamic shapes assault the narrow flint wall provided a thrilling reminder of the eras when manufacturer rivalries pushed engineering to its absolute limit. 

For the off-road purists, ‘Dirty Torque’ brings the sideways, loose-surface aggression of the rally world directly onto the asphalt. The modern era is represented by the cutting-edge Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 and the brutal Toyota DKR GR Hilux, both flexing their technical muscles on the climb. They are chased up the track by the ghosts of their most iconic historical adversaries, including a pristine 1995 Subaru Impreza — evoking memories of the legendary Colin McRae era — and a stunning 1976 Lancia Stratos, reminding everyone of the raw mechanical violence that defined classic stage rallying.

Closing out this spectacular tribute is ‘Born to Ride’, a segment dedicated to the bar-to-bar bravado of two-wheeled racing icons. The segment perfectly bottles the spirit of Grand Prix motorcycle racing's most fiercely contested eras, featuring the high-revving screams of the Honda Fireblade, the Suzuki RGV500 and a classic 1990 Yamaha TZ350.

These legendary duels have been revived, these machines allowing us all to feel the living, breathing tension that turned drivers and riders into immortal rivals.

The 2026 Festival of Speed is live now! Watch every moment of the action on our live stream right here on GRR. 

Join the GRRC Fellowship today and enjoy access to the exclusive Pit Stop Enclosure on-event, priority booking for 2027 tickets, 10% off admission and grandstand passes, and a year-round calendar of member events.

Photography by Rob Cooper, Charlie Brenninmeijer, Tom Baigent and Sam Milton.