Matters of moment, May 2003

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‘Streamliner’ heads Goodwood’s 2003 entry list

The first British public appearance since 1954 of the Mercedes W196R ‘Streamliner’ is just one of the many highlights planned for the 11th running of the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.

Over the weekend of July 11-13 the Goodwood hill will again play host to an unrivalled field of competition machinery, including current cars from six Formula One teams. Juan Pablo Montoya, Olivier Panis and Fernando Alonso should all be in action, and Jenson Button is expected to drive this year’s BAR 005. Current Sauber driver Nick Heidfeld will be reunited with the McLaren MP4-13 in which he set the hill record of 41.6secs back in 1999.

However, for many fans the chance to see the ‘Streamliner’ will be the major attraction. This ex-Fangio/Moss/Kling car has just undergone a six-year restoration at Mercedes-Benz’s Classic Centre in Stuttgart. Not since Silverstone in 1954 has a ‘Streamliner’ been seen in action in Britain.

On the home front, Cosworth will be represented at the annual extravaganza by an example of each world championship-winning chassis to use DFV power. Notable will be Tyrrell 001, running for the first time in several decades following restoration, as well as classic Lotuses, from the 49B to the ex-Mario Andretti 79 via the 72.

Chaparral will again feature, having been stars of the 1997 Festival, with at least three cars coming from the US along with creator Jim Hall and racer Phil Hill. Ford will also mark its centenary by reuniting the GT40s that finished first, second and third at Le Mans in 1966.

From the National Motor Museum of France will come the 1902 Serpollet Steam Car and the ex-George Eyston Panhand, which has not run in public for many years.

Fresh from a long restoration will be the 1983 Brabham-BMW BT52 with original driver Nelson Piquet at its wheel.

With a host of past and present stars on hand, there is every reason to expect the 2003 Festival will be every bit as good as the previous 10 events.