F1JOURNAL.COM / F1 PORTRÆT / ARTIKEL BUZZING GOODWOOD Someone has claimed that the Goodwood Festival of  Speed is the Mekka of Motorsport. That is very far from the truth! As a Muslim you’re only supposed to go to Mekka once in your lifetime… once is not enough with the Festival of Speed! Due to the incredible popularity of the event the organisers has chosen to make it an event where you have to buy the ticket beforehand in a search of control over the masses. If this was successful I don’t know – in any case the three days didn’t seem less congested than in previous years. As the area is enormous, people tend to spread out although the areas near the giant sculpture in front of the castle always seem to gather people in their numbers. It never ceases to amaze me how incredibly well organized this event is. Down to the last tiny detail! Signs showing the correct way to the gates are now taken for granted. Parking is a breeze thanks to a group of very effective and friendly parking attendants that systematically fills up the parking lots, so people don’t spend to long time trying to find a free spot. The result is full control and people can get out again as soon as they want with no hassle. It is easy to take things like that for granted – but count the times you have have spend driving in circles trying to find a parking spot! This year the main paddock had grown yet again and the overall feeling was that the event area now covers an even larger area than ever before. That was to avoid congestion and too many crowds. It worked well I’ll have to say. What never escapes to amaze me is the scale of the work that has to be done to establish all the facilities before the public arrives. It is hard to imagine that the packed park area is nothing but a field with sheep some 9 or 10 months a year, before work start in May to establish what has become THE place to spend a pleasant weekend for the Motorsport afficionado. Whatever the weather the organisers have taken every precaution to make sure that the area won’t end in a muddy quagmire. The main path through the area that could be muddy has been covered in either plastic elements that click together or heavy aluminium plates bolted to the ground. Lesser populated areas gets a layer of woodchoppings. Very effective it has to be said, and because of that it is not necessary to bring a pair of wellies and spend the day with steaming feet. As always an impressive work of art in front of the Lords stately home. Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com The title of the event was ”Young chargers - Old masters” in a celebration of how the desire of racing is passed down from generation to generation. You would find many sons of famous fathers over the weekend driving the greatest cars. The main exhibitions would cover a lot of the formula 1 cars that Ayrton Senna had piloted, as a mark of respect of the 10 years that have passed since his untimely death at Imola in 1994. Appropriately the exhibtion didn’t cover has last ride – Williams FW-16. In that respect – apart from one M. Schumacher – you won’t find a finer Monaco winner than Ayrton Senna. Monaco winners were also part of the exhibitions with a lot of cars that has been past winners of that event. Not a Monaco winner – but close. 1984 Toleman originally driven by Ayrton Senna. Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com As part of the Rolls-Royce 100 years celebrations Gerry Judah had constructed a masterpiece yet again. This time with ‘Bluebird’, the S6B Schneider Trophy Plane and the K4 record boat mounted on three very large winged structures. All vehicles were powered by Rolls-Royce. Placed around this masterpiece were countless Rolls-Royces. Mayby, just maybe the centrepiece of interest would be of John Lennons hippy painted example. But that is always a personal choice. THE PADDOCKS OF PLEASURE The Friday dawned with great weather. Not too warm, but a pleasant temperature to browse the paddocks in a personal first look session. My personal favourite was without doubt the Stewart Tyrrell 006. A Monaco winner in 1973! I have a weak heart for this car as JYS was one of my boyhood heroes. Standing up close to this wonderfully prepared and prototypically correct restored car is simply a joy. I had to return a lot of times over the weekend and the ever cheerful John Delane and son Ryan gladly answers all questions while the proud mechanic polishes his latest work. But the car isn’t just pretty. It runs in the TGP series and Mr. Delane was rather swift on the hill. Just a tad over 50 seconds! Please don’t bend it John! Oh-la-la. A very fine restoration job had been done on the Tyrrell 006 Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com Ferrari F1’s were out in force this year. The team looked after two F2002’s a F2001 and a F399, while various ‘privateers’ entered a 312T, a 126CK and a 312T3 of which a certain ex champ would enlighten a dreary Saturday. An equally fine motorcar. Owner: Nick Mason. Driver: J. Villeneuve. Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com The main paddock was occupied by no less than 6 formula 1 teams with 2003 cars or older. The teams were BAR, Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Toyota and Williams. Most teams are really friendly and people with children often get their kids photographed while seated in the car or at least next to it. Mechanics were visibly enjoying a weekend off, the tough duty of a grand prix weekend. Well, I’ll say most teams… McLaren duly protects their old MP4/8 like it is the latest gadget on the grid! I have never found the McLaren lads particular helpful for a couple of shots of a year old engine or older. Always the same – rear end almost stuffed into the transporter… while BAR or Toyota or even Williams on the other hand routinely removed the bodywork and placed the car sideways for all to see all the intricate detail. That’s the spirit! Look Ma’ No clothes! Toyota shows it’s inner parts. Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com JV POPS IN FOR A DRIVE IN THE PARK Saturday dawned with dark clouds and it was showery through the day. But that did not prevent the event clou from happening, when Jacques Villeneuve arrived to drive his fathers old Ferrari 312T3 now in the possession of Nick Mason – wellknown drummer from Pink Floyd. A photocall was arranged for a ‘staged’ race with the Renault RS01 of René Arnoux. This should somehow resemble the famous duel of Dijon 1979 where Gilles and René had one of the most memorable duels in modern time. Strictly the cars present at the photoshoot were not the cars involved in the race – but this point I’d guess would only matter to the ‘anoraks’ in the area. Villenueve had two outings on Saturday, in the first of which he used one of his fathers old helmets. It was not a replica – it was the real thing – which was loaned to Jacques by his fathers former sponsor Giacobazzi. Unfortunately he chose to use his own helmet in his second outing where our pictures are from. But a treat none the less It is unclear if René explains something about bodyfat or is just pinching himself to see if he is dreaming… Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com Jaques relishing the joy of his fathers ride in 1978. Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com Jacques at speed in the T3 to the glorious sound of 12 cylindres. Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com The damp weather didn’t dampen the driving it has to be said. Several cars were in need of a TLC after more or less hard parkings against the strawbales. Some of the rallycars were very much in need of repairs after ‘offs’ on the hill. Juha Kankkunen made slight ‘modifications’ to his old Celica a couple of times while Richard Parry-Jones heavily tailended Markko Martins Ford Focus WRC into the barriers. Much to my surprise I noticed the car a couple of hours later in pristine shape yet again! A showcar had been plundered for some body parts in the exhibition area! Ooops! One dented Focus after Parry-Jones tailended the car. Not to worry – Markko outdid that in Argentina ! Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com A very famous Celica driven by Juha Kankkunen. Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com The Toyota Celica is still in fine shape here. It wouldn’t be later… Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com If there ever was a shape that said: RALLY! Lancia Stratos. Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com Sunday is the biggest day of the event, and also the day with the largest crowd. We were yet again treated with some gems. I would never have imagined that a 400tons Boeing 747 Jumbo jet could be used for aerobatics? How wrong can one be! According to reports the South African Airlines 747 that did its antics were full of passengers. I just don’t hope that they had eaten a large dinner before the flight, as I suspect some may have seen the food again! The Jumbo made tight turns, landing approaches with everything out and steep climbs as well. Only the expression ‘awesome’ could really cover this experience. No captain - we can not land here! Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com These antics were not quite outdone by the WW-2 fighters in the sky as they are rather diminutive in size. But the sound of the engines are always a joy to behold SMOKE ON THE WATER! There seems to be a friendly fight between the formula 1 teams of who can make the most impressive run. Not the fastest due to safety considerations, but the noisiest and smokiest. This show was in part suspended as the Clerk of the Course had made it clear to everybody that donuts were donots! That message had clearly not been seen by BMW Williams F1 testdriver Antonio Pizzonia… or maybe it was lost in translation? Anyway – he made a great show in front of the appreciative crowd for which he later found a notice attached to his helmet from the local Sussex Police… Car: Williams, Colour: Blue. Offence: Reckless driving in a public place. As ever at the event – lighthearted humor is in focus. So the donut king of the day was undoubtedly ‘Jungle Boy’ Pizzonia. Pizzonia and some Williams mechanics browsing some pictures of ‘Jungle Boy’ antics… Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com But he was to be outsmoked by one Toyota TF103 with Olivier Panis behind the steering wheel. He did several full stops on the way to Molecomb corner and then flooring the throttle to produce more tyresmoke than even the big Dakar Trucks would have some trouble in producing from the exhausts – and that was quite a plume anyway! Naturally the crowd erupted in delight over this show. The tyres were well beyond their useful life upon returning to the paddock! “Zis Jungle boy! I will show him smoke! Merde alors – I can do it blindfolded…” Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com Olivier doing his thing. Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com PARIS DAKAR EXHIBITION A big feature of the event was a major presence of vehicles from the famous Dakar rally. Both motorcycles, cars and trucks were around for the audience to study. The trucks are huge. How these monsters literally manage to fly over the dunes are beyond me! Whenever these monsters turned on the firebreathing engines the whole area was covered in exhaust fumes. Colin McRaes Nissan pick-up was a centrepiece of attention to many in the paddock. Not as large as the big trucks, but still very large in comparison to a ‘normal’ rally car with these absolutely enormous tyres that sticks out below the bodywork. A comparison to a tank is not far away. It just needs a gun! One of my personal favourites between all of the Dakar vehicles was a BMW R80 motorcycle originally driven to victory in 1984 and 1985 by the late Gaston Rahier. Beautifully prepared and really good looking in the always dazzling Marlboro livery. One of the big Nissan trucks from the Dakar rally. Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com The fine BMW R80 – Dakar winner in 1984 and 1985. Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com ALWAYS THE CENTREPIECE OF ATTENTION: FORMULA 1 A lot of present, former and would-be F1 drivers were present to drive the many glossy super machines. Toyota had Olivier Panis and Christiano da Matta; Renault had Frank Montagny, Jean-Pierre Jabouille and René Arnoux (Latter drivers for the old Renaults); McLaren had Darren Manning, Pedro de la Rosa and Alexander Wurz. Gil de Ferran drove the MP4/8; Williams had Antonio Pizzonia and Riccardo Patrese (the latter for the FW08C); BAR had Takuma Sato and Jenson Button and finally Ferrari had Luca Badoer. Frank Montagny kept his spirits high in the Renault. We have chosen to show him with his lid on… He had apparantly used the same hair stylist as monsieurs Trulli and Alonso and added a goatee… Priceless! Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com Montagny at speed. Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com Emerson Fittipaldi enjoyed the experience of the Ferrari F-2001, but found the track very slippery on the wet Saturday. Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com. Emmo ready to go. Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com Former CART champion Christiano da Matta reunited with his championship ride. Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com John Surtees at speed in the old 1965 vintage Honda RA-272. Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com Juan Manuel Fangio II – nephew of Juan Manuel Fangio in a beautiful Maserati 250F Fresh from his third place at Indianapolis came Taku-san and drove the BAR. Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com Jack Brabham in a very nice old Cooper. Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com Modern art? No – the engine cover of the 2003 Le Mans winning Bentley Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com The full Monty. Bentley no. 7 – this time not travel stained. Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com A part of the great BMW presence. BMW 3.5 CSL as driven by Peterson in 1975/ 1976. Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com David Donohue in dad’s old ride. Typical late sixties Indianapolis racer Lola Ford 153 ‘Sunoco Special’ originally driven by Mark Donohue. Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com Ever wondered how Formula 1 cars are made? This is how… Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com Toyota 2000GT from the very large Toyota presence. Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com Proof that ’Mr. Bean’ (Rowan Atkinson) drives more than a yellow Mini. Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com Lancia D-50: Mr Beans ride. It survived! Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com ’Haurel and Lardy’ in action with classic Ford T. Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2004 was as great as ever. Enormous amount of exiting cars that should appeal to even the most die-hard enthusiast. With cars that covers 100 years from the oldest to the newest, there are something for everyone. It is impossible to cover everything that goes on at FOS. It is such a large area, and there are never a dull moment. Actually quite the opposite of a Grand Prix weekend these days that is overpriced and overhyped. No my friends – Festival of Speed brings everything what motorsport is all about: Fun, Great cars, and accessible personalities in a great lighthearted atmosphere. As a fan I have some wishes for 2005 and beyond: Matra cars. We really ‘need’ to see the old sportscars and formula 1 cars from the late sixties and early seventies… Michael Schumacher. It would be a joy to see a collection of ‘his’ cars. From the Jordan 191 – over the Benettons to the Ferraris. But even without these I think that Lord March and his crew will do their best to outdo themselves in 2005… Cristiano da Matta gives the thumbs up. Ó Flemming Hansen F1journal.com Skrevet af: Flemming Hansen Flemming@f1journal.com