Some of you may have seen that Goodwood is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Group C era at the Festival of Speed this year (June 29-July 1).
What many of you will not have heard yet is that on the Saturday these machines will be entered into timed qualification runs. If the cars, and drivers, are quick enough they will then be eligible for the Top 20 shoot-out on Sunday afternoon. The winner of this will then hold the mantle of ‘Fastest Time of the Day’ and winner of the Festival weekend.
So what can we expect? The ex-Mark Blundell 1990 Le Mans pole-winning Nissan R90CK, Justin Law in his Jaguar XJR8/9LM, a Sauber Mercedes C9, a Peugeot 905 and even a Spice SE90C are all signed up and being readied for the big event. Outside of the Group C machines there will also be the likes of the Ferrari 712 Can-Am and a Lola T310.
All this does beg the question, has Goodwood gone mad? The Festival of Speed is one of the most popular events, not just on the motor sport calendar, but also the British summer calendar, and the thought of being the ‘winner’ of it will surely be too much for some drivers. Mistakes? Crashes? I wouldn’t bet against them, but for us the only thing that the Festival of Speed lacked was a competitive element.
A competitive element with Group C machines will certainly solve that particular thirst and what a sight – and sound – we’re in for. So has Goodwood gone mad? Yes, but brilliantly so. Bring on the end of June.
Wonderful cars. I never got to see them on track, but caught many IMSA races in the late 80s and early 90s. Not the same, but somewhat similar.
Lord, I do wish I could get to Goodwood someday.