After a decade of innovation and evolution, the Festival of Speed has cemented its place in the calendar as the premier global celebration of Motorsport.

This year's theme "On the limit - A History of Heroes" drew together an unrivalled presence of motor manufacturers to celebrate past and current endeavours on 2 and 4 wheels. Featured manufacturer Renault celebrated its centenary by providing a wide range of cars from the 1899 type A to the current FI R202, as well as the display in front of Goodwood House - a blue feather on which were mounted an array of its most successful Formula 1 cars of the last 25 years.

The two paddocks situated either side of the House were complimented by a display charting the history of drag racing on the cricket pitch and a Mercedes Benz/ Maybach feature in the stable yard. Immediately adjacent was the Cartier style et Luxe Concours which drew an eclectic, but apparently un-themed entry - personal favourites included Chip Connor's Alfa Romeo 8C2900B (this year's overall winner), Wolfgang Schnedler's HWM-GT Coupe and Mick Hill's Lola T70 MK3B GT. The supercar display immediately opposite included five of Ferrari's current models enhanced by Aston Martin's Vanquish and stunning prototypes from Alfa Romeo, Cadillac and Jaguar.

The Ferrari enthusiast was well catered for - including the Mason Styrrons' 166 Barchetta, Tony Smith's recently acquired ex Corner F1 Dino, Peter Sachs stunning 1964 GTO, Carlos Monteverde's 212E Montagna (in David Franklin's expert hands) and John Bosch's F1-2000.

Museo Storica Alfa Romeo provided a superb display of cars from the aerodynamic 1937 2900B Le Mans, 1951 159 Alfetta to the 2001 spec 156 touring. Audi celebrated its third consecutive success at Le Mans displaying the three winning R8's along with the trophy it now holds in perpetuity. Bentley contrasted old with new, demonstrating their 1929 4½ Litre supercharged team car alongside the current EXP8 Le Mans 2002 contender.

The list of significant and landmark cars was endless:

• 1922 - Delage la Torpille that won every one of its 40 hillclimbs between 1922-24.
• 1947 - Blue Crown Special, the Offenhauser engined winner of the 1947 and 1948 Indianapolis 500.
• 1955 - Mercedes Benz 300SLR, the most famous Mercedes of all, winning the 1955 Mille Miglia with Sir Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson.
• 1957 - Aston Martin DBR1, the most successful racing Aston Martin with 6 International wins in Tony Brooks hands.
• 1957 - Maserati 250F, Fangio's German Grand Prix win at the Nurburguring is one of the most celebrated drives of all time.
• 1963 - Saab 96, a winner of 3 Monte Carlo rallies in Erik Carlsson's hands.
• 1969 - Ferrari 212E Montagna, winner of the 1969 European Hillclimb Championship and the sole example built.
• 1969 - Toyota Seven, Toyota's turbocharged 800 bhp contribution to Can-Am that never raced and hasn't been seen outside Japan since.
• 1975 - Vauxhall Firenza "Baby Bertha", in Gerry Marshall's hands won 40 races during 1975-76 taking both titles in the Super Saloon Championship.
• 1986 - Lancia Delta S4, the most extreme Group B rally car of all time.
• 1994 - Toyota Pikes Peak. New Zealander Rod Millen reduced the hill record for the "race to the clouds" by 21.4 seconds.

The Dunhill Drivers' Club, adjacent to the F1 paddock, was a haven for some of the sport's most successful and colourful drivers, amongst whom were: Phil Hill, Arnoux, Redman, Button, Sullivan, Jones, Patrese, van Lennep, Hahne, Moss, Surtees, Elford, Unser(Snr), Tambay, Fittipaldi, Wallace, Ickx, Bell, Biela, Pirro, Ragnotti, Verstappen, Wurz, Surer and Regazzoni.

Mention must be made of four of historic racing's most determined drivers : Martin Stretton, Peter Hardman, David Franklin and Justin Law, all of whom thrilled the crowd with their ascents of the hill.

Over the last four years the competitive element of the weekend has been reduced but someone neglected to tell first time visitor Rod Millen, who stormed up the hill in 47.40secs, closely followed by Martin Stretton's 6 wheel Tyrell (48.1secs), Justin Law's Jaguar XJR 10 (49.2secs) and Marc Surer's BMW F2 (49.3).

It is difficult to do justice to the Festival of Speed. To enthusiasts globally its an unmissable event and is now the UK's best attended motorsport event after the British Grand Prix. It offers the enthusiast unrivalled access to the cars and stars that have shaped our sport.

Congratulations to Charles March and his team - roll on September’s Revival meeting!

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