Goodwood Festival of Speed and Revival to merge into online Speedweek event for 2020
One-off event in October promises to merge elements of the Festival of Speed and Revival, both of which have been cancelled this year
Goodwood is to put on a new three-day event, called Speedweek, this October, which will merge elements of the Festival of Speed and Revival events that were cancelled this year due to coronavirus.
Speedweek will take place at Goodwood Motor Circuit in West Sussex from 16 to 18 October. It will be an online-only event for spectators, with fans able to watch a live broadcast for free on Goodwood’s website and social media channels.
Goodwood says the event will see “the closest, most competitive historic racing in the world”, with famous drivers taking to the track in a selection of valuable cars. There will also be a rally stage, with cars going “on, over and even under the circuit”, while a Goodwood Gymkhana will see cars performing stunts in areas of the estate that are normally out of bounds.
On the final day of Speedweek, the circuit will play host to a shootout between what Goodwood promises will be “some of the fastest cars in motorsport history”, with each trying to set the fastest timed lap. As modern cars have never competed on the historic track, it’s possible that circuit speed records will be broken.
The current official lap record at Goodwood Motor Circuit is 1:20.4, set jointly by Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart in 1965. The circuit closed to proper motorsport in 1966, and any faster laps set since at the Goodwood Revival and have been classed as Revival records, rather than official lap records.
Classic car auction house Bonhams will also hold an online Goodwood Speedweek auction, with viewings of the lots in person taking place by appointment only.
The Duke of Richmond, who owns the Goodwood esta and the Festival of Speed, said: “Having taken the heart-breaking decision not to hold the Festival of Speed and Revival this year, we were determined to find a way of bringing motorsport to Goodwood in 2020.
“Speedweek will be a once-in-a-lifetime occasion - the fastest, most exciting and spectacular event we have ever staged. I have been overwhelmed by the positivity and support offered to us by our partners and friends.”
He added: “An event unlike any that’s gone before, Goodwood Speedweek will be a fitting celebration of the spirit of the Festival of Speed and Revival, both of which will return - bigger and better than ever - in 2021.”
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