Thousands expected at Goodwood Festival of Speed

The four-day event brings together some of the most famous names in motorsport

Author: Ryan BurrowsPublished 23rd Jun 2022
Last updated 23rd Jun 2022

Bosses at Goodwood say they're doing all they can to prevent heavy queues leading to the Festival of Speed, which gets underway on Thursday (June 23rd).

More people are expected to drive to the festival as a result of rail strikes, which mean no services will run via Chichester on either Thursday or Saturday.

A spokesperson from Goodwood said that 'enhanced traffic management measures' would be put in place in a bid to reduce congestion on the A27 and surrounding roads.

They added:

"Although we anticipate an increase in those choosing to drive to the event, we are making suitable arrangements for traffic control and parking, to accommodate all guests making their way to the site."

Nigel Mansell will be among the big names appearing at the 2022 Festival of Speed

This year's event is themed around the ‘The Innovators - Masterminds of Motorsport’ with a big focus on electric vehicles as many manufacturers bring their eco-friendly models.

The festival is one of the biggest celebrations of motorsport anywhere in the world, with vehicles ranging from F1 and Indycars, rally machines, motorbikes, supercars and the latest production models taking to the hillclimb at the West Sussex site, either in a bid to set the fastest time or to show off to the waiting crowds.

Among those honoured at this year's event is Nigel Mansell, who will be driving the Williams F1 car in which he won the 1992 World Championship, along with several others from through his career.

Another World Champion, Jenson Button, will be at the event alongside current Mercedes driver George Russell.

2022 also sees a reunion of some of the most famous motorcycle riders in history, with Wayne Rainey to make his debut at the event - riding the Yamaha bike on which he won the world title for the first time since being paralysed from the chest down in a crash in 1993.

He's being partnered by three of his greatest motorcycling contemporaries: Mick Doohan, Kenny Roberts and Kevin Schwantz.

The famous sculpture in front of Goodwood House - a staple of the festival since 1997 - will pay homage to five decades of the BMW M division and showcase some of its most iconic models.

New for 2022, will be a special experience for event-goers to get behind the wheel of a variety of exciting EV manufacturers.

The event's founder, the Duke of Richmond said:

"This year’s Festival theme – ‘The Innovators – Masterminds of Motorsport’ – allows us to celebrate some of the greatest achievements in history, while also highlighting the event’s evolving focus on future technology.

"Just as race-inspired innovations such as four-valve engines, monocoque chassis and turbocharging have shaped the past and present of the cars we drive in the real world, so electrification, autonomy and other new technologies – the development of which is accelerated by the white heat of competition – will have a profound effect on the future of personal mobility.

"The Festival of Speed is the only place in the world to bring all these stories together in one place, celebrating the past, present and future in a uniquely immersive, dynamic way."

You can watch a livestream featuring all the action from the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed here.

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