The roar of engines around Goodwood won’t be heard in 2020, after the company confirmed that it has cancelled the Festival of Speed and the Revival.
Charles Gordon-Lennox, the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, made the announcement today and said that ticket holders would be offered a full refund or the option to roll their entry fee over to next year’s events.
The Festival of Speed, which sees some of the world’s most significant racing cars and bikes charge up the hill at Goodwood House, was originally postponed in March, prompted by the onset of Covid 19. Then, the organisation stressed that “the safety and wellbeing of our customers” was its highest priority.
It appears that the organisers of both the Festival of Speed and the Revival have been unable to put in place a practical plan that would create a safe environment for visitors. At the same time, the economic environment has made large financial commitments for partners and exhibitors difficult to justify.
The Duke of Richmond said, “For a business like ours, which is all about bringing people together to enjoy the things they love, social distancing has had an unavoidable impact on our ability to operate.”
In a sign of how great the financial loss is to Goodwood, it is asking fans to join its “newly reinvigorated” Goodwood Supporters’ Association, and suggesting donations of £100, £200 or £500. The latter includes perks such as a commemorative print signed by the Duke of Richmond.
Charles Gordon-Lennox brought motorsport back to Goodwood in 1993, after a gap of nearly forty years. The first event clashed with the Le Mans 24 hour race but still attracted 25,000 visitors. Last year more than 200,000 people attended the high-octane festival.
The Goodwood announcement follows the postponement or cancellation of countless motor racing meetings, global motor shows, classic car shows, concours events and even Hagerty’s own Festival of the Unexceptional.
