The Goodwood Hill Climb: Everything You Need To Know

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Each year, the picturesque south of England becomes the stage for an extraordinary event. What may appear as an unremarkable stretch of road leading to the top of a hill is transformed into the thrilling racetrack for the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

This renowned annual gathering is not only an opportunity for manufacturers, talented drivers, and esteemed race teams to showcase their prowess but also a platform to exhibit their awe-inspiring machines.

The centerpiece of the whole event is the Goodwood Hill Climb. Nearly every type of auto enthusiast can get a thrill out of the diverse array of cars that gun it around the hairpin turns of Lord March’s steep driveway. Whether it’s electric cars, classic cars, F1 cars, motorcycles, or supercars, the Goodwood Hill Climb showcases the best of the best in the world of motorsports.

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The answer to that question is, well, pretty steep. The 9-turn strip of asphalt has an average gradient of 4.9%, providing an exhilarating test of both skill and machine. With each twist and turn, drivers skillfully navigate their way up the incline, showcasing their mastery of the challenging course.

What sets this climb apart is the unique challenge it presents. The most daunting part of the Hill is the unknown condition of the driveway going into it. Each driver needs to be fully prepared for a slippery track, as even a slight misjudgment can result in finding oneself careening off the course and into the straw bales that line the edges.

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At 1.16 miles, the Goodwood Hill Climb is not a particularly long track, but it delivers excellent bang for its buck. The short length of the track also presents its own unique challenges. Sports cars perform at their best when key components like tires and brakes reach the ideal temperature, but the driveway isn’t quite long enough to warm everything up. Some drivers even indulge in burnouts on their way to the start line to try to get some heat— and grip— into their tires.

This makes things extra interesting around the tight corners. With adrenaline coursing through their veins, drivers approach the first corner, a double-apex right-hander. This high-stakes maneuver captivates the on-looking crowd, but the track holds even tighter turns. The right-left chicane, which hugs a stone wall, demands exceptional precision.

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Most of the Hill Climb’s essence lies in showing off. The festival is a celebration of the automotive world, where being loud and boastful takes center stage. However, the pinnacle of the event comes as drivers battle for the top spot in the timed shootout.

The all-time record was set by Max Chilton in 2022. He made history behind the wheel of an electric McMurtry Speirling. Chilton conquered the course in just 39.081 seconds. The McMurtry Speirling boasts a formidable output of 1,000 hp in a car that weighs just over 2,200 lbs. The Speirling also holds the record for the fastest accelerating road car.

Another impressive record in the illustrious history of the Goodwood Hill Climb is the one set by Nick Heidfeld in 1999. Behind the wheel of a McLaren MP4/13, Heidfeld set the record time up the Hill in a Formula 1 car, completing the course in 41.6 seconds. Nowadays, official timed runs by F1 cars are a thing of the past at Goodwood, primarily due to safety considerations. However, spectators can still see F1 cars showcasing their power up the Hill.

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The hill climb at the Goodwood Festival of Speed is an unending thrill, as the parade of roaring engines never stops. From dawn till dusk, the air resonates with a symphony of powerful engines (and nowadays, the whir of electric motors), attempting the Hill one after another. The unbroken spectacle is just another part of the joy of the event.

The excitement will be streamed live and available for free on Goodwood’s official YouTube channel, ensuring that spectators worldwide can revel in the experience from the comfort of their own screens. The event will also be showcased on the Goodwood Road & Racing, Goodwood Festival of Speed, and Goodwood Revival Facebook pages.

For members of the GRRC Community, Goodwood has also prepared exclusive streams of the Rally Stage and a no-commentary stream of the Hill, where viewers can enjoy the ASMR of engines roaring and tires skidding.

The 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed is set to take place from the 13th to the 16th of July. Livestream coverage of the event begins at 9:20 AM BST on Thursday, and at 8:30 AM BST on Friday through Sunday. For American viewers, those times are 4:20 AM and 3:30 AM in Eastern Standard Time, but Goodwood will post highlights on their YouTube page for viewers reluctant to wake up bright and early.

Attending the event in person would also be a truly remarkable experience. To maintain a comfortable and enjoyable environment for all, the festival’s attendance is carefully capped at 150,000 over the course of three days, avoiding overcrowding and ensuring that each attendee can fully immerse themselves in the festivities.