Some time ago we opined that the Goodwood Festival of Speed was becoming the de facto British motor show.
Now we can safely say it has become the British motor show. This year there’s a Mercedes-Benz launch, a Jaguar concept car and a new Range Rover Sport, plus debuts from Ford, McLaren and a number of others, all of which you can read about on autocar.co.uk in the coming days.
We’d salivate over that lot if they were the stars of any show, so you have to conclude that that is exactly what Goodwood has become. The fact that it’s also a celebration of motorsport only adds to the appeal. Goodwood attracts top car launches and top car people, so case dismissed.
Granted, being held over a long weekend in West Sussex, it isn’t quite as accessible as, say, the Paris or Detroit shows. Traffic jams, limited accommodation and ticket prices are also potential issues.
Nevertheless, Goodwood is the envy of the motoring world, and that’s something we haven’t said about a British show for decades.
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Moving MotorShow.
It seemed so crowded. I guess Thursday is the cheapest day and may account for this.
I don't understand why GKN were in the MMS hall....Not exactly something to drive ! I don't understand why manufactures had cars such as Peugeot 208 hybrid in the MMS hall. Shouldn't this be on their other stand ? Talking of which.....I wanted to try/see the Skoda Citigo..not on their stand, No VW Up on their stand.....Why ?
Next moan.....the FOS has become a noisy place....with thumping music and it has the sound of a cheap fun fair. I never went near some stands, due to the noise !
Better signs and directions needed to....I asked in the Goodwood info centre where the John Surtees Celebration was.....the girl didn't know who Surtees was !
I won't bother again...it's getting expensive too...!
But
hideously overcrowded
Proves my point though from a Motor Show perspective that more of these are needed North of the Watford Gap!
Goodwood Motor Show
The move to Birmingham didn't do the Motor Show any favours either...I mean, who in their right mind wants to go to Birmingham. Depressing place.
We were never going to keep pace with the Frankfurt show, or Geneva, and for us I think the times had moved on....the whole idea do a 'moving' motors how where you could try the vehicles out on an iconic hill climb was quite honestly inspired, and I don't think anyone would want to go back to the bad old days of the NEC.
I would suggest that the idea should be rolled out at a similar event further North for those where Goodwood is too far for a day trip....not everyone can afford overnight accommodation.
This event deserves the success it is having...and then some!