The first Tyrrell, Chassis 001, made its debut after decades in a museum. Photo: Peter Collins

Goodwood Festival of Speed (2003) – Highlights

The 10th edition of the Goodwood Festival of Speed continued its tradition of bringing huge crowds onto the grounds of Lord Charles March’s Sussex home, Goodwood House, though the large space devoted to modern F1 cars has begun to squeeze out some the historic machines.

The Centerpiece of each year’s Goodwood Festival is an enormous tribute to the featured marque. This year’s piece was a monolithic sculpture honoring Ford’s 1966 victory at Le Mans, complete with three GT40s—suspended 30 feet in the air! Photo: Peter CollinsPhoto: Peter Collins

Goodwood Festival brought together some of the best attractions of the first decade. The list of the good and the great was impressive as always, with numerous world champions on hand…John Surtees, Phil Hill, Sir Jack Brabham, Alan Jones…along with a catalog of stars from all racing categories: Jim Hall; Danny Sullivan; Junior Johnson; Rene Arnoux; Al Unser, Sr. and Jr.; Hannu Mikkola; Jean Pierre Jaussaud; Derek Bell; Jackie Oliver; Dan Gurney; Lee Holman; Sir John Whitmore and many more.

The Howmet turbine of Chuck Haines “hoovers” up Lord March’s driveway. Photo: Peter CollinsPhoto: Peter Collins

On the course, a modern day hill-climb machine was fastest up the hill, though Rod Millen’s Toyota pick-up truck put on the biggest show, while the Mercedez Benz F1 streamliner from the 1950s was among the favorite star cars. Paul Osborn entered the Alfa Romeo BAT 5, which won the Stile and Luxe concours, and modern F1 drivers such as David Coulthard and Juan Pablo Montoya kept the autograph hunters happy. Stars of the past were even found lurking in the autojumble area, where Nino Vaccarella could be found going through old photos at Ted the Ferret’s, and signing copies of his book.

Jim Hall wowed the British crowd with his Chaparral Can-Am car.
Photo: Peter Collins

(For more, see Photo Gallery coverage).

Submitted by Ed McDonough