My management said that we could go to the Goodwood FoS this year, and I said <dance> .

I looked at the ticket prices and went <yikes> <yikes> <yikes> <yikes>

It's a fantastic looking event, but over £40 to get in?? Isn't that a little steep? What about food/drink, can you take your own, and what sort of stuff do they offer at what sort of prices? I've been wanting to do for years, but the price really does put me off a bit to be honest!

Yes, I know everyone's going to say I'll wonder what I was worried about afterwards, but given all the unexpected (and expected) expenses I've had recently, I'm reluctant to spend lots of money on unnecessary stuff - apart from beer or course...!

Yes it's expensive - but no more than GPM was at Silverstone - and it only comes around once a year too.

I haven't got a clue about the details though, I've been trying to get there myself, but have neber been able to afford it - and getting a place on the marshaling team is moirder.

Nice of the management to allow you to go....at your own expense ? <blink>
Go on the Friday if possible,cheaper,should be quieter and it's basically the same as the Sunday ;)
Only done one FoS,as a Marshal though,so no expensive outlay <whistle>
Always take your own supplies,I say <dinner>

I can't believe someone just compared GPM with Goodwood..... <nono> <doh>

Anyway...keep your eye open - I can't remember if it's the FoS or the Revival but certainly one of them quite often has 2 for 1 / free tickets for the Friday which may be worth looking at.

'the management' is my sarcy reference to the other half....

<roflmao>

Actually one of my work managers who also happens to support a certain possibly doomed to relegation Premiership team has suggested we'll butter up one of the suppliers to take us to Upton Park next season....

<cool>

Only financially...

Still personally don't think you can compare it - for that you might as well compare it to Crufts or Badminton or seeing Southampton play (!) or something else of a similar price - the packages for GPM and Goodwood are very different! ;)

I'm a little biased on this one, having been to every day of every FoS bar the first event in 1993 but it is truly wonderous. I have to say the atmosphere isn't quite as special as the first couple of years but the variety of cars you will see is incomparable. I was only 10 when we first went and it's completely changed my life getting to see so many rare vehicles. You will come away with 100s of new "research projects" as I call them because you will want to learn the history of every car.

It's no more expensive than any other motor racing event and the variety of catering is much beter than the average high-profile meeting. There are more organic/healthy eating stalls. I wouldn't say there's much advantage to Friday IMO because each day is sold out and to be honest it's going to be stupid busy every day. I would advise going for, at the very minimum, 2 days, ideally all 3 as you will want an entire day to watch on-track action and an entire day for wander the displays. I would advocate grandstand seats for the day you want to watch track action as well.

I remember in 1994 or 1995 sitting on hay bales about half way up the hill watching the Can-Am, Group C and F1 cars going by at full chat perhaps 3 metres from where we were sat. Of course that couldn't continue and John Dawson-Damer's tragic accident was a reminder that even a fun event like Goodwood is dangerous.

It's possible we might have a spare general admission ticket for the Friday if you are interested. We have weekend passes for FoS and Revival and I believe my dad will not be able to make the first day of the Festival. If you're interested let me know.

Enjoy it!

I got my tickets by mail last week. My wife and I are traveling to England for a couple of weeks late June and I've wanted to go to Goodwood for a while. We have hotel reservations down near Beachy Head and are going to wander about the area and go to Goodwood. I've never been to that part of England.

Anyone have any suggestions on thing to do and places to visit? Other than the Goodwood weekend, we have no firm plans. We like driving and want to do several day trips and return to the coast each night.

Ah,I see...I'm 'self-employed' <whistle> <pissed>

I was supposed to email you some photos dude! Will try and do that next week. That area of the country is beautiful. My grandfather lives locally; it's all quite quaint I guess would be the word. A lot of Roman history abounds in west Sussex. I'd suggest getting to Brighton and just explore the south downs, there's loads of woods to go for walks in around there. I'll try and find some more stuff for you than that!

How far are you prepared to travel, flood?

For a start you may want to visit Brooklands...

I'll travel as far as three hours one way, I love to drive around. I rise early and sleep about 6 hours per night.

Are you suggesting the museum at Brooklands between London & Woking?

Yep that's the one. Where exactly are you staying? Drop me a PM with your email address and I'll send you some suggestions - sometimes I do miss the concierge type stuff from working in a hotel! ;)

The weekend before Goodwood there is a big event at Brooklands. Will you be about then? Sounds well worth doing, I wish I could afford to get down!

The centenary event? (Sorry no idea of dates here...)

If you're talking of that one no as it's also Le Mans so will be there.

If you're looking at the South Downs what about Chanctonbury Ring, or what's left after the hurricane in 1987....

<think> Hang out with the Druids at Stonehenge <LOL>

The Centenary celebrations are what I'm talking about, I was quite non-specific, sorry. Shame about the clash with Le Mans. Even more of a shame that my cousin and a couple of his mates were beaten to a pulp in an unprovoked attack by some drunken idiots at Le Mans 2 years ago and now my father refuses to go again. I went in 2000 the day I finished my GCSEs and it was the best weekend ever!

Having just realised Goodwood co-incides with my two weeks of holiday [taken for Le Mans and F1 testing] looks like should be there on the Friday <thumbsup> Will be a first visit for me.

Someone, do you want me to see if we have a spare Friday ticket? I know my Dad's missing it but I'll be there for sure. I'm so deliriously excited about the whole weekend. Even just the drive from my grandad's house is a treat through the Sussex countryside!

Gilles, thanks for the kind offer but I think I will be marshalling on the rally stage so no need. Thought much appreciated anyway! :)

I'm getting into a state of nervous excitement about the first of my two annual pilgrimages to pretty West Sussex. This will be my 13th festival, having missed the first event. In fact I'm so excited I got my knuckles tattooed to celebrate...If you see me, come say hi!