The Goodwood Festival of Speed is a mainstay bucket list item for automotive enthusiasts of all ages, as is getting a ride-along in an exotic supercar with a seasoned racing driver behind the wheel.
On a recent holiday to Europe and the UK, I used to be in the fitting place at the fitting time and was offered the incredible opportunity to attend the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed as a media guest of Aston Martin, including a stint within the passenger seat of a DB12 Volante fanging up the famed hillclimb.
Obviously, I accepted this invitation with no hesitation, and after a 2.5-hour drive from my friend’s house in London (shoutout to Kia UK for loaning me a brand new EV6), I made it to the hallowed grounds of the Goodwood event.
CarExpert can prevent hundreds on a brand new automotive. Click here to get a fantastic deal.
After being chaperoned by Aston Martin staff through a special entrance and to the marque’s guest tent, I used to be soon whisked away again towards the Supercar Paddock, where a slew of very high-end vehicles are kept on display to the general public.
It was here I used to be greeted by a gorgeous burgundy DB12 Volante that might be my ride for the morning run, sitting alongside the brand new Vanquish Volante, the Vantage S, in addition to Aston Martin’s Valkyrie Le Mans-inspired hybrid hypercar and the brand new Valhalla mid-engine plug-in hybrid supercar.
As a ’90s kid who grew up only dreaming of ever seeing this sort of metal in person, let alone sitting in them in addition to hearing their sonorous exhaust notes in real life, I used to be simply in awe.
Our group signed indemnity forms after which quickly slipped into full-length trousers and a jumper per motorsport safety rules – mind you, it was quite possibly the most popular day of the yr within the UK on that fabled Friday, peaking at around 34 degrees Celsius.
Above: Assembling the Astons at Supercar Paddock
Irrespective of. Despite quite a few questions of concern from Aston Martin staff that I could overheat while waiting to move to the beginning line, I used to be grinning from ear to ear and brimming with excitement for what was to come back.
Driving me within the DB12 Volante could be Ben Seyfried, factory driver for not only Aston Martin but in addition Ferrari and Maserati; he has also participated in competitive motorsport for 25 years across quite a few disciplines. Big thanks to Ben for being an absolute legend and making my day.
The crew of Aston Martins made a procession up towards the beginning line alongside other members of the ‘supercar’ group, which included quite a lot of latest and up to date McLarens just like the Artura and P1 GTR, in addition to the brand new Lamborghini Temerario, works by Gordon Murray, and even a Pagani Huayra R.
Festival goers lined the makeshift road ahead. It felt like I used to be a part of some parade. The thrill and keenness was palpable, and I believe a few of them might need thought I used to be considered one of Aston’s racing drivers – as a Leo, I used to be pleased to make-believe for my five minutes of supposed fame.
Above: Strange metal lining up for the Goodwood Hillclimb
Rolling as much as the beginning line there have been much more incredible cars lining up for his or her blat up the hill. Coach-built restomods, working concepts and design studies. Stuff that I had only ever seen in pictures or video games – they were all here.
In my excitement I realise I took mostly videos, not photos, of all of the incredibly exotic and expensive metal that I rolled past on the starting area. Should you’d wish to see more, I actually have a special highlight on my Instagram profile here which documents my day on the event.
As we slowly snaked our way across the makeshift cul-de-sac and headed towards the beginning line – which took what felt like an eternity – Ben and I might have little chats with staff as they walked past and did their checks. I used to be also busy ensuring I knew the best way to activate the in-car camera suctioned to the windscreen because, content.
I’d hear the cars ahead go for his or her runs one after the other, often signalled by clouds of smoke and the symphony of engines revving to their redlines. There comes some extent where all of the intoxicating sounds form of mesh together and you’ll be able to’t even pick up which automotive is setting off. I used to be type of in a daze.
Finally, we were rolling as much as the beginning line.
I squeezed my head (and hair) into the supplied Aston-branded race helmet. “Strapped in?” Ben asked – I tugged twice at my seatbelt to be sure (having already done this 50 times while I waited) – “yep!” I replied, then he lit up the rear tyres for dramatic effect and off we went.
The DB12 Volante could be described as a seriously quick automotive, quoting a 0-100km/h dash in only 3.7 seconds on its method to a claimed top speed of 325km/h, but amongst its exotic company at the underside of the Goodwood hill some might label it as mundane by comparison. I actually had no such thought, having driven one myself back home last yr.
And while the Volante is perhaps seen as a Sunset Boulevard cruiser fairly than a circuit bruiser like its hard-topped sibling, I’d argue that a moment like that is best enjoyed with no roof – which is strictly what we did.
The bellow of the 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 behind me, the cheers of the group around us, and the sheer excitement of seeing the short hillclimb stage coming through the windscreen was an incredible delight for the senses. Ben was hard on the throttle, then the brakes, then the throttle, with tight turns thrown in there for good measure.
I used to be too focused on what was in front of me to actually check the speedo, which mind you was also in miles per hour, but I’m pretty sure I glanced over and saw an enormous number starting with ‘9’ on the digital speedo at one point, which implies we hit at the least 145km/h somewhere.
Before I comprehend it, we’ve crossed the finish line. Ben hits the brakes, and we coast towards the tip of the track where the cars that went before us have collected in what looks like a really expensive meet.
It appears probably the most elite of Goodwood guests have access to seating areas around the tip of the track where they’ll see each automotive come through one-by-one after they’ve accomplished their run. Given the balmy English conditions, some were understandably puzzled at my fully sleeved and trousered fit in comparison with their shorts and T-shirts.
We were quickly ushered back into our cars for the leisurely parade back to the paddock. “Have a wave when you like,” Ben says, as we roll past spectators and track marshalls giving us a nod and a wave. Possibly I’ll.
I arrived back at Supercar Paddock and needed to pinch myself. What an incredible experience for my first time on the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Not only did I get a front row seat at considered one of the world’s largest automotive events with a few of the coolest cars and race cars in history on display – as a part of the 75 years of Formula 1 celebrations, in addition to a highlight on Gordon Murray Automotive – but I got to experience first hand what it’s wish to do a timed run up the famed hillclimb.
I then proceeded to have a fast walk across the grounds, capping it at around one hour before making a break for the carpark so I didn’t pass out in the warmth. Several people told me I’d need days to see all of it, they usually weren’t joking, I’d probably need several more laps of the grounds to get the complete picture.
Britain’s automotive culture is basically something to be admired. People there are really obsessed with all the pieces on 4 wheels and can proudly use their prized possessions as modes of transport (you must have seen the carpark finds), fairly than cooping it up in a glass box or attempting to flip it for a profit six to 12 months after taking delivery.
I sit up for attending the Festival of Speed in future years, and absolutely cannot recommend it enough when you occur to be within the UK when it’s on – just be sure you get tickets quickly, they sell out fast!
Lastly, an enormous thanks to the team at Aston Martin and EVH Agency for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that made just a little boy’s dream come true.
Click the photographs for the complete gallery
This Article First Appeared At www.carexpert.com.au
