The “red cars with the Prancing Horses stole the show” at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, declared Auto Express, after seeing the Ferrari California, 458 Italia and 599 GTO wow the crowds in the Sunday Times Supercar Run throughout the weekend. The 458 Italia and 599 GTO were making their public debuts at the UK’s premiere automotive event, while crowds were drawn to the very unique Ferrari California with an extensive range of personalisation options including a two-tone paint scheme of Argento Nurburgring (silver) with a black roof, reminiscent of classic Ferrari berlinettas of the ‘50s and ‘60s.
Although the Sunday Times Supercar Runs are not officially timed, the Ferraris reached the finish line in less than 1 minute, with the 458 Italia completing the 1.16 mile course in an astonishing 54 seconds, nearly 3 seconds quicker than most F1 cars from the 1970s, and the California accomplished an equally impressive time of 57 seconds.
Ferrari driver Marc Gene also demonstrated the Ferrari F60 single-seater from the 2009 F1 Championship, with a display of wonderful and committed driving, reaching speeds of over 150mph as he approached the famous flint wall after the tricky Molecomb corner, followed by a lengthy series of autograph sessions in the fan’s favourite upper paddock.
Also representing the most successful F1 team of all time, with 16 Constructor’s World Championship and 16 Driver’s World Championships, were a number of classic and exotic single-seaters and sport prototypes from the 1950s, 60s and 70s, such as the iconic 312BB “Spazzaneve” from 1972, a beautiful 250TR from 1959 and a 375MM that competed in the Carrera Panamerica in 1953.
World Cup Rubgy hero, Matt Dawson, also experienced the thrill of the Goodwood Festival of Speed hillclimb in a Ferrari California as part of the making of an ITV programme which will be aired on ITV1 on Sunday 11 July, in which Ferrari fans will see many of the cars and stars from the event.
