Classic Cars Historic event
Rank 18
Goodwood Festival of Speed
The biggest motoring garden party in the world: historic racers on the hill, plus a Cartier concours, though the modern-car presence dilutes it.
Photograph: Goodwood Festival of Speed by Nigel Brown, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, resized
Why it is here
Octane reports that the 2026 Festival (9–12 July) drew more than 200,000 people. The highlights were a Ford GT40 Mk II trio driven by members of the Andretti family and a 1955 Lancia Aurelia Spider America winning Best of Show at the Cartier Style et Luxe concours (2026-07-16). Car and Driver describes the mix of competition, exhibition and 'exhilaration' (2026-07-14). Magneto, a sister title of Octane, is supporting only. Score drivers: community 9.2 from the attendance; prestige 8.6; experience 8.6; provenance 7.6 and expertise 7.4, because much of the event focuses on new-car launches and modern machinery, which this category excludes.
Who it is for
Collectors who want to see significant historic racing cars run up the hill in a festival setting, and families of enthusiasts.
Sources
- Racing rivalries and Singer star in 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed200,000+ attendees; GT40 Mk II trio; Cartier Best of Show Lancia Aurelia Spider America.
- A Day at the Star-Studded 2026 Goodwood FOSIndependent first-hand account of the 2026 event.
- Historic rivalries take centre stage at Goodwood's 2026 Festival of SpeedSister title of Octane; supporting only. Estimates about 250,000 attendees.
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