Goodwood 2008 - three day auto fest draws to a close

The 2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed wrapped up today with burnouts from F1 star Lewis Hamilton, a spectacular aerial show from the RAF Red Arrows and more sideways rally action, ear shattering antics and delectable samples of automotive excellence of almost every flavor.

Hamilton climbed the 1.16 mile hill in his 2007 McLaren-Mercedes and although times are largely meaningless given the array of different vehicles from all eras of motorsport that take part, the fastest time of the third and final day went to Jaguar Group C driver Justin Law whose 44.19 second time just pipped the 44.58 second time recorded by Anthony Reid in a 1980 Williams FW07 Formula 1 car.

The recently added 2.5 kilometer forest rally stage at the top of the hill again drew big crowds and provided a realistic taste of WRC action to the festival with drivers like Petter Solberg in the Subaru Impreza and current World Rally Championship leader Mikko Hirvonen in his Ford Focus not afraid to get sideways around the loose gravel track. A tribute to the late Colin McRae also formed part of the festival's rally package with a selection of vehicles used by the champion Scottish driver on display.

Perhaps taking the mantle as the loudest display was the drag racing "Cackle Fest" held daily over the weekend - and that's not easy when you're surrounded by Superbikes and F1 cars. Standout among the drag racers on show was the 4 engined (yes four) Showboat built in 1961, a period in which nitro was banned and multiple engined monsters began to appear.

Judging in the Cartier Style et Luxe design competition was also finalized today with the stunning Mercedes-Benz 710 SSK 'Trossi Roadster' imported from the Ralph Lauren Collection in the United States picked as the winner from among the fantastic collection displayed on the lawns at Goodwood House.

Noel McKeegan