For 2006 additional celebrations were the Centenary of the Targa Florio (undoubtedly one of Italy’s most famous road races) along with 40 years of brute power in Trans Am and Can Am racing in North America and an enhanced rally stage through the forest, with current and past World Champions lending their support to the recently announced Richards Burns Foundation (www.richardburnsfoundation.com) in memory of the late 2001 World Rally Champion - fittingly nine of Richard’s rally cars were exhibited adjacent to Goodwood House.

One of the late Richard Burns's rally cars	Nicki Lauda's ultra-successful McLaren MP4	Californian John Delane drove his ex-Jackie Stewart Tyrrell 001	Scuderia Ferrari sent an F2004 and an F2005 for test driver Marc Gené
"Quick Vic" Elford was reunited with his Targa Florio Porsche 908/3	The JCB Dieselmax has 2 turbocharged diesel engines developing 1500bhp	Peter Sachs brought his 1961 Le Mans winning Ferrari Testa Rossa	Christian Glasel's Ferrari 312PB was part of the Targa Florio celebration

Renault’s contribution to a centenary of Grand Prix was reflected in the carriage circle in front of the House with a brace of Edwardian racers – the AK model from 1906 along with Fernando Alonso’s current mount the R25 and whilst their F1 technicians had mapped an engine to play the French and English national anthems, there was no denying that this year’s sculpture was a disappointment compared to previous Festivals – uncharitably dubbed the prawn cracker but maybe Carlos Ghosn needs the budget to keep Flavio Briatore in F1!

The three established paddocks located either side of the House were split by entrants of the Cartier Style et Luxe Concours and a 40th anniversary celebration of the Lamborghini Miura including the Walter da Silva designed Muira concept car( first shown at the Detroit Auto Show in January this year) along with examples of Italy’s best known scooter manufacturers Vespa and Lambretta celebrating their 60th anniversaries. With an eclectic entry of 39 cars ranging from Peter Lovett’s gorgeous 1937 BMW 328 to the Cord powered, Rust Heinz designed, six seater 1938 Phantom Corsair (air-freighted from the National Auto Museum in Reno, Nevada) and judges including Star Wars producer and Tucker authority George Lucas, the judging panel was unanimous in awarding first prize to Bill Ainscough’s superb 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C2900B.

The adjacent supercar display was undoubtedly a world showroom of the fastest, most expensive and exclusive road cars currently available. With 48 cars from 38 manufacturers along with resurgence of interest in two apparently long lost British marques – Connaught and Invicta, Ferrari UK also used the display to give the ’06 599GTB its UK public debut, having driven it from Maranello. The prize for the most ungainly supercar this year must go to the Maybach Exelero – a 5.9 litre V12 technology concept vehicle built jointly by Mercedes-Benz and German tyre manufacturer Fulda, whilst the car attracting most interest was undoubtedly the 16 cylinder,1000 hp Bugatti Veyron.

Timed runs of the 1.2 mile hillclimb are limited nowadays as the focus has moved towards demonstration rather than outright speed. This year’s fastest climb was by Richard Lyons in the Japanese GT Nissan 350Z, runner up was Lancastrian Andrew Wareing in a Williams FW06 and third Anthony Reid in a touring car spec Nissan Primera.

As ever the Ferrari enthusiast was well catered for – 7th overall in the 1950 Targa Florio Dudley and Sally Mason Styrron’s166MM ran in the “Lasting the Distance” class alongside David Cottingham’s 500TRC and Peter Sachs's 1961 Le Mans winning 250TR. In ”Leading from the Front” (celebrating Grand Prix success from 1945 -1960), Jeremy Cottingham’s166/212 was raced extensively by the factory before configuration to Temporada spec and owner of the recently enlarged Dutch National Motor Museum, Evert Louwmann drove his recently acquired 375 F1 ”Grant Piston Ring Special” (Ferrari and Luigi Chinetti’s unsuccessfully foray into Indy 500 racing in 1952).

Five-time Le Mans winner Derek Bell drove Adrian Hamilton’s ex Bamford/Lodge recreation of the 246F1 – the last front engined winner of a Grand Prix. “Tortuous Torture” celebrated International GT racing from 1962 to 1980 along with the Targa Florio - Prodrive’s Dave Richards demonstrated Sir Anthony Bamford’s 250GTO alongside Paul Vestey’s similar example whilst Pierre Bardinon’s 330P was driven by Terry Hoyle, David Piper drove his ’64 winning Monza 1000kms 330P2 and Christian Glasel shared his 312PB with 1972 Targa winner Arturo Merzario. Florent Moulin brought things more up to date as they demonstrated a ’99 550 Maranello LMGT.

Nine of the only 11 current F1 teams made the trip to West Sussex. Scuderia Ferrari test pilota Marc Gene demonstrated both the F2004 and F2005 whilst Corse Clienti regulars ex IMSA champion and sportscar veteran Jim Busby drove an F310B and Larry Kinch his 1991 643. Ferrari UK displayed examples of its current range along with the 20 finalists of “Ferrari; new concepts for the Myth” styling/design models in the adjacent stables.

The well attended Bonhams Auction had something for everyone – (all figures in sterling and include buyers premium) ,a 1952 Morris Minor Convertible (£3,450), an Aston Martin DB5 (£139k) and the “star car” 1965 AC Cobra (£227k). Ferrari enthusiasts had little to choose from but all three sold, with a ’73 Dino (£64k), an LHD , one owner 11,000 kms from new 456GT (£37k) and a ’76 365GT (£10.3k) with bills for a staggering and frankly alarming £70k ,whilst the auction's biggest price was reserved for the UK number plate “M1” (£331k).

On a mixed afternoon for Bonhams, few of the competition cars sold – surprising given the prestige of the event and undoubtedly the further you walked away from the rostrum to the rear of the marquee, the more the quality of lots was compromised - a disappointment after the volume, variety and quality of Monaco.

Enthusiasts of Italian manufactured cars were spoilt for choice:-

The continued popularity of Goodwood can be seen from the number of famous drivers past and present who relish the opportunity to be reunited with their original charges –this year the Dunhill Drivers' Club welcomed amongst others Dan Gurney, Nigel Mansell, Parnelli Jones, Arturo Merzario, Mikka Hakkinen, John Surtees, Jochen Mass, Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jackie Stewart, Sir Jack Brabham, Damon Hill, Randy Mamola, Petter Solberg, Bjorn Waldegaard, Sandro Munari and Hurley Haywood

Personal highlights – there were so many!

And as the “King” said …..”Thanks man, it’s been a blast”!!!

Andrew Wareing's Williams FW06 was 2nd fastest	1958 KurtisOffy Roadster - the John Zink Special	Jeremy Cottingham drove the Ferrari 166/212	Alex and Jane Boswell's Ferrari 625 F1 looked superb
Evert Louwmann demonstrated a rarely seen Ferrari - the 375 Indy	Martini Porsche 917 Langheck	A number of Lancia Martinis were brought along	Lancia LC1 of the type driven by Ricardo Patrese and others