American cars and drivers have been major draws over the Goodwood Festival of Speed’s (first) quarter-century and this year is no different. The 2018 running has attracted some of the greatest American-made or powered single-seaters ever to turn a wheel in anger, and several legendary wheelmen who guided them to glory.
Stars this year include ‘Lone Star Jr’ himself, two-time Indy 500 winner Johnny Rutherford. The amiable Texan has been reunited with the revolutionary Chaparral-Cosworth 2K in which he won the 1980 CART series. Other IndyCar weaponry, either on static display or taking to the Hillclimb, range from the fabulous Lotus 56 turbine car which came within seven laps of winning the 1968 Indy 500, and a Penske PC22; the same model that Emerson Fittipaldi guided to victory at The Brickyard in 1993.
For those who prefer racing cars to have roofs, Don Dimitriadis’s All American Racers Ford Mustang Trans-Am monster is a fan favourite, not least because it detonates sound out of its exhaust pipes like buckshot. Then there are the many NASCAR racers which need to be seen to not be believed, with the greatest driver of them all, Richard Petty, leading the field in the dayglo red and orange, STP-liveried Dodge Charger. The King drove this super-coupé to claim his 1972 title. Once seen, it’s unlikely to ever be forgotten.
“The 2018 running has attracted some of the greatest American-made or powered single-seaters ever to turn a wheel in anger”
Staged every summer since 1993, the Goodwood Festival of Speed is the world’s largest automotive garden party; set against the spectacular backdrop of Goodwood House in West Sussex, UK. Over 600 cars and motorcycles spanning the phenomenal history of motoring and motor sport take part with some of the most legendary figures from the sport as well as international celebrities regularly attending. Highlights will include the FoS Future Lab, Forest Rally Stage, Michelin Supercar Paddock, Michelin Supercar Run, F1 paddock, Drivers’ Club, GAS Arena, Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance, Aviation Exhibition and Bonhams Auction.
