GP glory at Goodwood: MotoGP stars past and present put on a show like no other at 2023 Festival of Speed

Goodwood Festival of Speed celebrated its 30th birthday at the weekend, with a cavalcade of MotoGP world champions past and present stunning crowds on the hill climb.

The annual motorsport mecca saw a roster of current grand prix stars including defending champion Francesco Bagnaia, Brad Binder, and Pol Espargaro line up alongside racing legends including Alex Crivillé, Casey Stoner, Kenny Roberts Jnr, Kevin Schwantz, Mick Doohan, and more – all riding a mix of current and past race bikes.

“It’s been amazing to just really have a look around and see heroes of the past and the present, so it’s crazy,” Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Brad Binder told MCN. “Honestly, it’s an honour to be here. It’s insane. I’ve really enjoyed it. 

“On Friday, I did a good lap and just admired everything. It’s so crazy, because you’ve seen a load of this stuff on TV and in the past. To see it in real life is quite special.”

Around 45 MotoGP bikes of all ages were present at the 2023 festival – making up a small portion of the 600 vehicles on show. It’s the first time in 17 years that the event hasn’t clashed with a round of MotoGP, which is why this year’s FoS boasted so many current grand prix riders and machines.

Riders began taking to the hill for the first time on the Thursday, before the wet weather began to move in and Saturday’s schedule of hill climbing action was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions – the first time this has happened in the event’s history. The action then resumed on Sunday, with a much drier series of runs.

“It’s maybe the greatest event I’ve ever been to in terms of passion for motorsport,” reigning MotoGP champ Pecco Bagnaia told MCN. “So very happy to see so many people around the hill climb, I really enjoyed seeing the cars and bikes from all the years, so very happy.”

This was added to by 2000 champion, Kenny Roberts Jr who addressed the crowds by saying: “Once I got here, I was blown away… this event, I’ve never seen anything like it. I hope to come back. It’s unbelievable.”

In addition to the arsenal of 2023 models on display, GP bikes from as far back as 1947 were showcased at the event with the AJS Porcupine – which was victorious in the first World Championship when it was ridden by Lancaster Bomber pilot Les Graham – being the oldest.

“It’s incredible, and to be honest, I think I’ve been coming here since 2006. I’ve missed out some years, of course, due to schedule problems, but it’s an incredible event,” double MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner added.

“From the first moment I came here to see the amount of cars that I grew up watching, being able to share a room with so many of my heroes and get to share some stories.

“It’s an event unlike any other. There’s nothing that even compares to it the entire world, so it’s a privilege to be here. It really is.”

Fellow Australian, and five-time Grand Prix champion Mick Doohan echoed: “It’s always a spectacular place, it’s great for everyone to come here. It’s great to reunite with a bunch of the older guys, like myself, and then also the younger generation, see some of the new bikes and the old bikes.

“There are a lot of people, very knowledgeable motorsport enthusiasts here from all walks of life. From team bosses in F1 to the hierarchy in the manufacturers, and a bunch people who love all motorsport, be it MotoGP or F1 or other types of racing. It’s great to be here.”

Despite the weather slowing down proceedings on Friday, many spectators donned ponchos or grabbed an umbrella to catch a glimpse of the cutting-edge 260bhp-plus showstoppers.

Elle Delphi, who had driven down from Edgbaston, told MCN: “I am having an amazing time despite the inclement weather. I’m looking forward to seeing the KTM bikes on the hill.”

It was the MotoGP presence that had persuaded Ron Waterly and his son, Ryan to finally make the trip to the event after years of almost making it.

“It was definitely the modern GP bikes that made us visit this year,” said Ron who had travelled from Shropshire.

“I had a look at the Ducatis in the paddock and the wings on them are huge in real life, much bigger than they appear on the telly. It will be exciting to hear them up close but it’s a pity they will have to rein it in on the power, so to speak.”

Safety first: Adverse weather closes site on Saturday

It was a moment in history that nobody wanted to be a part of – the cancellation of a full day of action at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Nothing had forced such a decision during the 30 years the festival has been running but this year Mother Nature had other ideas, with strong winds and torrential rain forcing organisers to close the site on Saturday.

It had already become clear that the weather was unlikely to play ball this year as Friday afternoon’s conditions went from drizzle to torrential rain over the course of a few hours. Wind speeds too were picking up as many spectators headed to the exit gates early, many fighting the conditions with their umbrellas.

By 7.30pm organisers were sending out emails warning that the adverse weather conditions forecast for Saturday were being monitored. Within an hour the decision had been taken to close the site on Saturday.

In a press release organisers said: “It is with deep regret that we have taken the decision that the Goodwood Festival of Speed will not go ahead tomorrow (Saturday, July 15, 2023). After consulting meteorologists, health and safety experts and other key stakeholders, we have taken the decision to close the event site due to a severe wind warning in the Goodwood area.

“On-site safety is our highest priority, and the forecasted high winds will pose a serious risk to various temporary structures across the site. This decision has not been made lightly and His Grace, The Duke of Richmond, along with the whole Festival of Speed team, are deeply saddened.”

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Goodwood confirm top MotoGP line-up: Current Grand Prix stars set to wow crowds with runs up the famous hill climb

First published 3 July 2023 by Stuart Prestidge

A who’s who of MotoGP riders past and present have been confirmed to take part in next month’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, including reigning MotoGP champion and current title leader Pecco Bagnaia.

A dozen legendary riders will attend the speed-focused event as it marks two Grand Prix milestones – the sport’s 1000th GP last month and also next season’s 75th anniverary, when it became the first motorsport world championship in 1949.

Grand Prix bikes will make up the entirety of 2023’s two-wheelers at the four-day Chichester festival – from historic motorcycles to the latest 300+bhp factory machinery.

Teams confirmed so far are the Ducati Lenovo Team, GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3, LCR Honda, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, Aprilia Racing and CryptoDATA RNF Aprilia. The GasGas Aspar Moto2 team will also be there, with British star – and now GP winner – Jake Dixon also in attendance.

All the teams will be in the Ballroom Paddock, a stone’s throw from the Drivers’ Club – giving fans the opportunity to see the bikes being prepared by the teams, before taking to the hill with a host of legends onboard.

The appearance of so many current riders has been made possible as the July 13-16 event weekend doesn’t clash with the MotoGP race calendar this year – an incredibly rare occurrence and one festival organisers have taken full advantage of.

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna, said: “At the intersection of history and innovation, the 2023 Festival of Speed is the perfect opportunity to celebrate both the rich heritage of the sport and the heroes of the incredible spectacle we’re enjoying every weekend in this modern era.”

Past legends that have also committed to attend include Alex Crivillé, Casey Stoner, Freddie Spencer, Giacomo Agostini, Jorge Lorenzo, Kenny Roberts Jnr, Kevin Schwantz, Mick Doohan, Randy Mamola and Wayne Gardner; who hold a staggering 37 world titles between them.

“I am absolutely thrilled that the Festival will host its biggest ever MotoGP celebration this year,” The Duke of Richmond, founder of the FoS, said.

“My thanks to Dorna Sports, the teams and riders for including us in their busy schedules – it means so much to everyone at Goodwood and all our fans that they will be here with us.”

Thursday tickets for the Festival of Speed are still available online, however for those not lucky enough to attend, the entire festival will be broadcast live on their YouTube channel.

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The Festival of MotoGP: Goodwood FoS attracts current GP teams and bikes, and past champions

First published 24 May 2023 by Stuart Prestidge

This year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed welcomes some of the current crop of MotoGP teams, who will take to the famous hillclimb alongside a star-studded line-up of legends.

Since the July 13-16 event doesn’t clash with the MotoGP race calendar this year, Red Bull KTM, GasGas Tech3, and the Ducati factory team have already confirmed their attendance. The GasGas Aspar Moto2 team will also be there, with Brit rider Jake Dixon.

Grand Prix bikes will make up the entirety of 2023’s two-wheelers – from historic race bikes to the latest 300bhp MotoGP machinery.

“We have recently celebrated the 1000th Grand Prix, and next season will mark the 75th year since motorcycle racing became the first motorsport world championship in 1949,” said Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna, the organiser of the MotoGP series.

“At the intersection of history and innovation, the 2023 Festival of Speed is the perfect opportunity to celebrate both the rich heritage of the sport and the heroes of the incredible spectacle we’re enjoying every weekend in this modern era.”

In addition to current MotoGP teams and riders, historic racing machines will date as far back as 1949 – with riders taking to the famous 1.9-mile Chichester track from across the history of the sport.

Already confirmed to attend are Alex Crivillé, Casey Stoner, Freddie Spencer, Giacomo Agostini, Jorge Lorenzo, Kenny Roberts Junior, Kevin Schwantz, Mick Doohan, Randy Mamola and Wayne Gardner; who hold a staggering 37 world championship titles between them.

“I am absolutely thrilled that the Festival of Speed will host its biggest ever MotoGP celebration this year,” The Duke of Richmond, founder of the Festival of Speed, said. “My thanks to Dorna Sports, the teams and riders for including us in their busy schedules – it means so much to everyone at Goodwood and all our fans that they will be here to celebrate with us.”

All the teams will be in the Ballroom Paddock, a stone’s throw from the Drivers’ Club – giving fans the opportunity to see the bikes being prepared by the teams, before taking to the hill with a host of legends onboard.

Goodwood has a long history of celebrating two-wheeled sports with seven-time motorcycle world champion and 1964 F1 world champion John Surtees organising the motorcycle entry at the very first event in 1993.

Last year the festival was joined by Giacomo Agostini as he celebrated his 80th birthday, and history was made as Wayne Rainey rode his 1992-championship-winning Yamaha YZR500 for the first time since his career-ending accident in 1993 that left him paralysed from the chest down.

“It felt like an old friend,” Rainey said at the time. “It was always a challenge to race the bike at that level, fighting for race wins and championships, but being here 30 years later, being able to get on the bike and ride it up the hill in a nice, easy gentle setting is fantastic.”

Goodwood tickets are selling fast but for those not lucky enough to attend in person, the entire festival will be broadcast live on the Goodwood Festival of Speed YouTube channel.