Past Events
Goodwood 2005
Goodwood Festival Report Vol.2
This year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed was another hot event, not only because Honda, which celebrated the 40th anniversary of its first F1 victory, became the main sponsor, but because the people who gather at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which can be called the hall of fame of British motorsports, are truly in love with cars and motorcycles. The venue was filled with the enthusiasm throughout the event.
The Honda paddock was constantly alive with visitors admiring the Honda racing machines on display, in particular, the RA272, which debuted in 1964 and won its first Grand Prix in Mexico the following year driven by the late Richie Ginther, and the RA300, known for its dramatic victory in the 1967 Italian Grand Prix driven by the John Surtees.
The paddock’s customary engine warm-up was met with applause for the revived Honda music of yesteryear. And without fail, the there were many overseas fans who would share their passion for the racing machines. The Honda paddock was vibrant with such energy, unseen in similar paddocks for other Japanese manufacturers, proving how high the awareness of the Honda brand is in Europe.
John Surtees in the cockpit of the RA300 he drove to victory in the 1967 F1 Italian Grand Prix (left photo). A rare shot of John Surtees (center), a famous driver of yesteryear, chatting with current F1 drivers Jenson Button (left) and Anthony Davidson.
Takuma Sato sits on the front tire of the RA272, the same model that gave Honda its first F1 victory 40 years ago driven by Richie Ginther. Hopes are high for Sato’s future F1 career.
The fans were especially excited to see Honda’s motorcycle racers, as Honda become the first company in the world to win the Constructors’ Championship in all classes from the 50cc to the 500cc class in 1966, and its phenomenal results and other successes quickly made it one of the world’s top brands.
It is no wonder that Honda has gained such popularity in the United Kingdom, the home of motorcycling. There were endless lines of fans everywhere to catch a glimpse of the historic racing machines and the famous riders of the past, including Bob Heath, Tommy Robb, Freddie Spencer, and Mick Doohan, who occasionally appeared at the event. Of course, no other motorcycle paddock was as exciting as Honda’s.
Tommy Robb driving the RC181 that set the lap record and won the 1967 WGP Dutch TT (Assen, Holland) in the 500cc class.
A rare RC173 that won the 1966 WGP 350cc class championship, ridden by Bob Heath.
Freddie Spencer, winner of the premier WGP 500cc class championship in 1983 at the age of 21. The prodigy showed off his brilliant riding skills on his own championship-winning NSR500.
Mick Doohan, WGP champion for five consecutive years starting in 1994, also rode his title-winning NSR500 (1995), which generated over 180 PS at 12,200 rpm.