A host of famous drivers and riders have been confirmed for this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, including Jenson Button, Mark Webber, and Sir Stirling Moss.
This year’s festival, held from 23-26 June, is themed “Full Throttle – The Endless Pursuit of Power”.
BMW, celebrating its centenary year, will head up the Festival of Speed as the central feature marque. It will display the legendary BMW 328 Mille Miglia Roadster, the Gordon Murray-designed Brabham-BMW BT52 Formula 1 car, and the Le Mans-winning BMW V12 LMR.
The BMWs will be on a prominent display in front of Goodwood House, created by sculptor Gerry Judah.
The event will also celebrate the 1976 Formula 1 World Chapmion, James Hunt, once described by Niki Lauda as “the most charismatic personality there has ever been in Formula 1”.
Examples of every significant car Hunt raced during his career will feature, including the Hesketh, McLaren, and Wolf cars he raced in Formula 1. Also appearing will be touring, sports and junior formulae cars, and his beloved Austin A35 van.
The full list of drivers and riders, with more to be announced, includes names from across a wide range of motorsport disciplines, including Le Mans winners, Rallycross stars, and NASCAR champions.
Already confirmed for 2016 are F1 Grand Prix winners Rene Arnoux, Tony Brooks, Jenson Button, Emerson Fittipaldi (along with his brother Wilson), Jochen Mass, Sir Stirling Moss, Riccardo Patrese, John Surtees, and Mark Webber.
Le Mans winners Richard Attwood, Derek Bell, Emanuele Pirro, and Vern Schuppan will also be present, as well as sports car legend Brian Redman.
Other famous names in attendance will be motorcycle champions Giacomo Agostini, Troy Corser, Eddie Lawson, and Sammy Miller, Rallycross stars Ken Block, Liam Doran and Pat Doran, Indycar race winner Kenny Brack, NASCAR champion Bobby Labonte, and Touring car stars Fabrizio Giovanardi, Andrew Jordan, Matt Neal, Gordon Shedden, and Steve Soper.
Festival of Speed founder Lord March said: “This year’s Festival will have the wildest, fastest, craziest, baddest cars and bikes ever to ascend the Goodwood Hill. Not to mention of course the heroes that tamed those mighty machines. There will be lots of noise, speed, colour and, of course, power. That’s what the Festival of Speed’s all about. I’m really excited about it and hope it will be an absolutely spectacular and memorable weekend.’’
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