Given the cost of petrol, you might be wondering if racing classic cars more than a mile uphill is the best way of spending one's afternoon? Not in Goodwood. The British estate is home to Britain's largest annual rendezvous for petrolheads and brings together an eclectic collection of vehicles, from vintage Formula 1s to modern rally automobiles, for an historic racing event: The Goodwood Festival Of Speed (FoS). The FoS was founded by the owner of Goodwood estate, Charles Gordon-Lennox, Earl of March and Kinrara, in 1993, and while the signature event is the timed hill-climb, there are many other demonstrations and exhibitions as well. The estate has a long history of involvement with motorsports, with its main track, Goodwood Circuit, having been constructed around the perimeter of a World War II airfield after the war. Prior to the establishment of the FoS in 1993, the last racing event at Goodwood was in 1966. Today, the FoS has become an enormous event with over 100,000 guests attending, and there's a flying school at the airfield as well.
Since cars tend to attract watch collectors, it’s also happy hunting ground for those who prefer spending the day looking at people's wrists.
However, the FoS, one of summer’s most anticipated distractions, felt a bit frivolous on a day marked by the UK’s decision to leave the European Union and the subsequent resignation of its Prime Minister. Quite a few watch collectors who had planned to spend their Friday in Goodwood decided to stay in the capital instead, while many spectators spent the afternoon on their phones replaying David Cameron’s speech. Nowhere were the extraordinary circumstances of the day more pronounced than in the Goodwood House, where Bonhams held its annual auction of vintage motorsport vehicles. While the room was full and the highlight pieces sold well, many cars failed to deliver the prices collectors typical pay for them, as thoughts of spending money were chased by the devaluation of the pound. Still, we captured some rare and interesting timepieces on Friday. The emphasis was on TAG Heuer (one of the official sponsors of the FoS).
Freddie Hunt, son of the legendary F1 champion James Hunt, unveiled a new TAG Heuer made in his father’s honour on the 40th anniversary of Hunt's memorable Formula One championship victory against rival Niki Lauda (1976).
World Rally Championship driver Jari-Matti Latvala wore a Suunto during his first attempt at the Hill Climb. Latvala currently sits in sixth place in the WRC standings after six races.
Overall, a great day for watch spotting, albeit under the shadow of Brexit. Interestingly enough, the hill climb was won, against supercar competition no less, by a (highly modified) Subaru, of all things.
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