Past Events
Goodwood 2007
*Caution: The content on this page reflects the cultural, social, and political norms of the time it was first published. Reader discretion is advised.
Goodwood 2007
*Caution: The content on this page reflects the cultural, social, and political norms of the time it was first published. Reader discretion is advised.
The Goodwood Festival of Speed is one of the world’s most popular historic motorsports events, bringing together racing machines from motorsports history.
Honda has been a prominent presence at this event for many years due to its history of challenging motorsports on the world stage since its first participation in the Isle of Man TT races in 1959.
Honda is the only Japanese manufacturer to be invited to the event, and in 2005, it was the first Japanese automaker to serve as host car manufacturer.
This year, once again historic motorcycles and automobiles will entertain the crowds at this iconic event. Honda racing machines will also be brought back to life in their original form, for all to enjoy.
About the Goodwood Festival of Speed vol.1
The Goodwood Festival of Speed is an historic motorsports event established by English nobleman Lord Charles March in 1993.
The opportunity to see up-close the iconic racing cars that have left their mark on motorsports history is irresistible to any fan, but the biggest attraction of the Goodwood Festival of Speed is the chance to see the greatest riders and drivers of all time pilot their racing cars as they were back in the day.
Over the three-day event, around 140,000 visitors attend, approaching the popularity of a Formula 1 event. Although the event is relatively young, its popularity is evident. The venue is Lord March’s estate in the vast hills of southern England, which includes the Goodwood Circuit, founded by his grandfather, a race track, a golf course, a resort hotel, and a nature park.
Lord March also established the star attraction of the event, a hill-climb course where riders and drivers of the past would pilot their racing machines.
The course runs almost in a straight line from the front of the Goodwood House pavilion through the grounds, flanked by old-fashioned hay barriers, rather than the spongy modern barriers. From just behind the barriers, spectators get a close view of the racing machines thundering up the track. This was Lord March’s idea to share the excitement and love of racing machines with everyone.
Visitors can see the bikes and cars, and the pilots who have a special place in their hearts, and watch the famous riders and drivers of the past and current drivers mingling. There are enjoyable stores selling a variety of goods. An auction of historic cars is also held. The Goodwood Festival of Speed is truly a dream come true for motorsports enthusiasts.
Honda has participated in this event since its beginning in 1993, as it is well-known in Europe as a company that loves racing, starting with its participation in the Isle of Man TT race in 1959 and Formula 1 in 1964.
Since 1999, Honda has been the only Japanese automaker invited by Lord March to participate in the event, bringing its historic racing machines from Japan. When Honda brought its historic machines to Goodwood for the first time, it received a warm welcome from British motorsports fans. Officials at the time assisted Honda’s Japanese staff, who were unaccustomed to proceedings at the event, and long-time fans who had known Honda’s successes in racing encouraged the staff, calling out “Welcome back.” In 2005, Honda became the first Japanese automaker to host the event after being invited by Lord March, and for the first time in the history of Goodwood, a giant movable monument was erected to the astonishment of visitors.
The affection of the fans towards Honda and its reputation as a well-established company was not gained overnight, but is something that only Honda, challenging the world of racing for many years, has earned through its consistent involvement and passion for motorsports over the years.
A good example of this is that the only booth with red carpet is Honda’s, where the demonstration of racing machines of the past rev their engines is one of the event’s attractions, and the many visitors gather to hear the piercing sounds as if they were savoring a song. The booth is always filled with the audience’s applause. This is a testament to the fact that Honda is recognized by the British public as a well-established name in motorsports.
The 2007 Goodwood Festival of Speed will be held over three days from June 22 (Fri) to 24 (Sun).
