12 last‑minute motorsport gifts for petrolheads this Christmas

Lego Technic Land Rover Defender   

If your recipient isn’t sure about the real thing, test the waters with a Lego miniature of Land Rover’s new Defender. Comprised of 2,573 pieces of foot-stabbing plastic, the diminutive Defender boasts all the same cutting-edge technology as the full-sized variant – well apart from a functioning engine. However, it does have a four-speed sequential gearbox – complete with levers to engage high and low ratios – an incredibly detailed cabin, independent suspension on both axles and a working winch! The best bit? Thanks to the modular, it looks even more rugged than the model it’s based on. The worst? It will set you back £160.

Motorsport Magazine subscription

Second on our list is a must-have for any motorsport fan. From less than £5 a month (£55.99 for the year), you can treat your loved one to a monthly copy of the revered magazine, plus unfettered access to the online content and archive. Digital and print only subscriptions are also available, however the Full Monty is by far the best shout, offering a perfect combination of modern and historic racing content.

Goodwood Road Racing Club Fellowship

Give the gift of the Goodwood Road Racing Club Fellowship for just £39, and the beneficiary will receive a whole year’s worth of exclusive Goodwood Road Racing Club benefits. Included in the package is access to tickets for the GRRC-only Members’ Meeting plus an exclusive live stream to watch from home, an online catalogue of GRRC Original short films and 25 years of Goodwood’s motorsport archive.

Missed Christmas post? Print the downloadable certificate in your confirmation email for your recipient.

Go Like Hell: Ford, Ferrari, and Their Battle for Speed and Glory at Le Mans

If the recipient is one of those people who laments films for ‘never being as good as the book’, then here’s your chance to impress. The book behind James Mangold’s new blockbuster Ford v Ferrari (Le Mans ’66 in the UK), Go Like Hell tells the story of the 1960s battle for racing supremacy between Enzo Ferrari and Henry Ford II and their respective P3 and GT40s.

Classic & Sports Car subscription

Christmas is coming, so why not treat someone special to a Classic & Sports Car subscription from only £39.99? Classic and Sports Car brings the best writers, the finest photography and all of the latest news from the classic car world direct to your door. It's the perfect Christmas gift!

Tickets to the British Grand Prix

No petrolhead’s life is complete without visiting their home Grand Prix at least once, or twice, or ten times… And with tickets for the 2020 Silverstone Grand Prix now on sale from just £55, now’s your chance to win the heart of your relative. If one day doesn’t cut it, why not opt for a full weekend ticket, starting from £190…

Taking place over the weekend of 17^th-19^th July, the 2020 British GP promises to be as action-packed and adrenaline-fuelled as ever.

Image courtesy of Motorsport Images

A gift from the Goodwood shop

If they’ve already got all of the above plus more, take a look at our very own Goodwood shop for gift ideas. From a simple £26 t-shirt to a full-on set of overalls for the budding mechanic in your life (£99, if you’re wondering), the quaint little shop features something for everyone. Our personal favourite is this adorable little jerry can hip flask, which at £10 is perfect for keeping the petrolhead in your life refuelled.

Christmas Gifts from Goodwood

Octane subscription

Octane is at the heart of the world of fast, prestigious, desirable and unique cars from yesteryear as well as the people and events surrounding the classic car hobby. It is pride ourselves on creating a magazine for the true enthusiast – with every issue delving deeper into the cars that we know as well as introducing those that may be new to even those most ardent enthusiast.

Playmobil Porsche Mission E

Another miniature – this time for the miniature people in your life, the Playmobil Porsche Mission E is a replica of secret agent Rex Dasher’s sleek electric Taycan from PLAYMOBIL: THE MOVIE. Complete with two seats, front and rear lighting and a remote control, the Porsche Mission E is the ideal present for the budding young petrolhead in your life. And at £69.99 (with free delivery) the only bank it’s breaking is the Piggy’s.

Flying Tiger Two Stroke Smoke candle

Ask any petrolhead what the best smell ever is and you’ll likely receive a resounding Castrol R or two-stroke mix. So why not treat them to the scent sans the mess with the Flying Tiger Two Stroke Smoke candle, costing £39.99.  

Made of real 2 stroke oil boosted with high-octane fragrance, it’s the dream come true for any grease monkey, and is a far better bet than any bougie from the likes of Yankee Candle…

Bugatti Baby II

If money is no object, and a speed hungry child (or manchild) has made your nice list, take a look at the new Bugatti Baby II. The Baby was originally seen in 1927, when Bugatti released a limited run of 500 models, which became the ultimate status symbol for the offspring of the rich and famous. This year, in celebration of its 110^th birthday, the manufacturer has announced the Baby II, which is larger than the original Baby at three-quarters the size of a Type 35 Grand Prix car – big enough for an adult to drive.

The rear-wheel-drive model is powered by an electric motor, with an adjustable power output; ‘child mode’ limits it to 1.3bhp with a top speed of 12mph, while the full fat mode produces 5bhp, with a top speed of 30mph.

Once again, only 500 will be built, each costing from £25,000. While eye-wateringly expensive, bear in mind that this is still the cheapest Bugatti you can buy new, and it features all the luxuries you’d expect including leather seats, custom Bugatti instruments and the company's famous solid silver 'Macaron' badge on the nose.

Goodwood Motorsport Tickets

And finally, no Goodwood gift guide would be complete without tickets to one or all of our fabulous Motorsport events. While the season opening Members’ Meeting is reserved for GRRC members and guests (see fellowship package above), the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard and Revival are open to all. Even better, prices start from just £42 for a Thursday ticket…