Goodwood announces Speedweek after Festival of Speed cancelled

With the Festival of Speed and Revival events cancelled this year due to the coronavirus outbreak, Goodwood has announced a new, televised event in October which combines elements of both.

Goodwood Speedweek will take the best parts of the Festival and Revival, and combine them into a three-day "extravaganza" from October 16-18 2020.

Staged behind closed doors at the Goodwood Motor Circuit, Speedweek will be available to anyone who tunes in to watch. The event will be free of charge and broadcast globally via Goodwood Road & Racing’s website and social channels.

According to the organisers, the digital event "will add layers of interactivity to the action, putting viewers in the virtual driving seat." And, unlike the eerily empty Premier League games that are currently happening, Speedweek is designed to be watched online. 

Embracing the lack of spectators, a dramatic rally competition will see cars go on, over and even under the circuit, and the inaugural ‘Goodwood Gymkhana’ will literally take over the venue, going to places that would normally be strictly out of bounds.

On the final day, a never-to-be-repeated competition will see some of the fastest cars in motorsport history compete in a winner-takes-all shoot-out over one lap. Modern cars have never competed at Goodwood, so the speeds they achieve will be unlike anything previously seen at the iconic venue.

During Speedweek, manufacturers will launch their latest cars to a global audience, while Bonhams will hold an online auction over the weekend - with viewing by appointment only at Goodwood on Wednesday-Friday. The programme of events and full driver line-up will be announced over the coming weeks and months.

The Duke of Richmond said: "Having taken the heart-breaking decision not to hold the Festival of Speed and Revival this year, we were determined to find a way of bringing motorsport to Goodwood in 2020. Speedweek will be a fitting celebration of the spirit of the Festival of Speed and Revival, both of which will return, bigger and better than ever, in 2021."