Goodwood MMS - report & pics

Goodwood’s Moving Motor Show will grow again in 2012 after its successful second running today.

More than 40,000 people attended the show on Lord March’s Sussex estate as Goodwood looks to cement itself as Britain’s premier motor show with strong manufacturer support.

See all the best pics from the Goodwood Moving Motor ShowSteve Cropley blog - Did the Goodwood Moving Motor Show work?

After an accident in the purpose-built pavilion overshadowed the otherwise encouraging debut for Goodwood’s road car-dedicated day last year, this year’s running passed without significant incident.

The pavilion’s layout was significantly altered for improved access, airing and safety, and the number of manufacturers housed within it was boosted to 22 with the addition of Seat and Skoda to the attendance list.

Read Autocar's full Goodwood Festival of Speed 2011 preview

Goodwood’s motorsport PR manager Gary Axon told Autocar that reaction to the Moving Motor Show from manufacturers and showgoers had been almost unanimously positive, and the chance for manufacturers to invite potential customers to test drive cars through Goodwood’s grounds was leading to direct sales.

“If this year’s show had been a disaster, we may have moved on from the motor show concept but instead it’s now definitely here to say,” said Axon. “The idea of the Goodwood Moving Motor Show has always been well received and today’s event proves there is an interest from manufacturers and the public.”

See all the best pics from the Goodwood Moving Motor Show

Axon said the event was officially a sell-out, with the last of the 42,000 tickets issued three weeks ago. That’s up from the 27,500 tickets that were shifted last year. Axon noted the site “was noticeably busier” than last year and more people had been taking time to look at the static Festival of Speed displays in advance of them coming to life from tomorrow.

The day’s only real mishap came when an over-enthusiastic driver had an off at Molecomb in a Volvo V60, which observers said left the car with some front-end damage and rearranged some straw bales beside the course.

Axon said he expects the Moving Motor Show to grow again next year, with more tickets available and the potential to run the show on more days. “We could have supercar, SUV or VIP days,” he said. “Lord March has been pleased with it. From our side, it’s been a great success.”