Goodwood Speedweek to host one-off motorsport behind closed doors

Goodwood is back. Having cancelled both of its major motorsport events for 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak, organisers have confirmed the two will be combined into a behind-closed-doors show in October.

The Festival of Speed, due to take place in July, and Revival, which was scheduled for October, have now been rolled into a single event at the West Sussex estate called Goodwood Speedweek, presented by Mastercard.

The new was confirmed today, after the event was exclusively revealed by the Daily Mail’s Sebastian Shakespeare a month ago.

Goodwood Speedweek will combined the greatest elements of the Festival and Revival, spreading them across a three-day extravaganza from 16-18 October that will be broadcast online and on select TV channels. 

The thrilling action will be transmitted free of charge globally via Goodwood Road & Racing’s website, social channels and a range of broadcast partners. 

It will feature races on the track, with the world’s most most valuable cars doing battle at close quarters with a glittering line-up of famous faces behind the wheel. 

Embracing the lack of spectators, a dramatic rally competition will see cars go on, over and even under the circuit, and the inaugural ‘Goodwood Gymkhana’ will literally take over the venue, going to places that would normally be strictly out of bounds.

Building to a climax on Sunday, a never-to-be-repeated competition will see some of the fastest cars in motorsport history vying for honours in a winner-takes-all shoot-out over one lap. 

Modern cars have never competed at Goodwood, so the speeds they achieve will be unlike anything previously seen at the iconic venue. 

The official Goodwood lap record has stood for 55 years, and, with modern cars never likely to return, it’s entirely possible that the times recorded at Speedweek will remain unsurpassed for the next 55.

Organisers said that without spectators present, the action can be ‘faster, more extreme and even more spectacular than ever’. 

Host of the Goodwood events, Charles Gordon-Lennox, the eleventh Duke of Richmond, said: ‘Having taken the heart-breaking decision not to hold the Festival of Speed and Revival this year, we were determined to find a way of bringing motorsport to Goodwood in 2020. 

‘Speedweek will be a once-in-a-lifetime occasion – the fastest, most exciting and spectacular event we have ever staged. 

‘I have been overwhelmed by the positivity and support offered to us by our partners and friends. In particular, I’m delighted that Mastercard, who have been the presenting partner of the Festival of Speed since 2017, will also be the presenting partner of Speedweek; and Bonhams who have held their auctions at Goodwood every year since 1993, will be joining us. 

‘An event unlike any that’s gone before, Goodwood Speedweek will be a fitting celebration of the spirit of the Festival of Speed and Revival, both of which will return, bigger and better than ever, in 2021.’