The Goodwood Competition of Velocity is a mainstay bucket record merchandise for automobile lovers of all ages, as is getting a ride-along in an unique supercar with a seasoned racing driver behind the wheel.
On a latest vacation to Europe and the UK, I used to be in the precise place on the proper time and was supplied the unbelievable alternative to attend the 2025 Goodwood Competition of Velocity as a media visitor of Aston Martin, together with a stint within the passenger seat of a DB12 Volante fanging up the famed hillclimb.
Clearly, I accepted this invitation with no hesitation, and after a 2.5-hour drive from my buddy’s home in London (shoutout to Kia UK for loaning me a brand new EV6), I made it to the hallowed grounds of the Goodwood occasion.
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After being chaperoned by Aston Martin employees by means of a particular entrance and to the marque’s visitor tent, I used to be quickly whisked away once more in the direction of the Supercar Paddock, the place a slew of very high-end automobiles are saved on show to the general public.
It was right here I used to be greeted by a phenomenal burgundy DB12 Volante that will be my journey for the morning run, sitting alongside the brand new Vanquish Volante, the Vantage S, in addition to Aston Martin’s Valkyrie Le Mans-inspired hybrid hypercar and the brand new Valhalla mid-engine plug-in hybrid supercar.
As a ’90s child who grew up solely dreaming of ever seeing this sort of steel in individual, not to mention sitting in them in addition to listening to their sonorous exhaust notes in actual life, I used to be merely in awe.
Our group signed indemnity varieties after which shortly slipped into full-length trousers and a jumper per motorsport security guidelines – thoughts you, it was fairly presumably the most popular day of the yr within the UK on that fabled Friday, peaking at round 34 levels Celsius.
Above: Assembling the Astons at Supercar Paddock
Regardless of. Regardless of quite a few questions of concern from Aston Martin employees that I could overheat whereas ready to move to the beginning line, I used to be grinning from ear to ear and brimming with pleasure for what was to come back.
Driving me within the DB12 Volante could be Ben Seyfried, manufacturing unit driver for not solely Aston Martin but in addition Ferrari and Maserati; he has additionally participated in aggressive motorsport for 25 years throughout quite a few disciplines. Large thanks to Ben for being an absolute legend and making my day.
The crew of Aston Martins made a procession up in the direction of the beginning line alongside different members of the ‘supercar’ group, which included quite a few new and up to date McLarens just like the Artura and P1 GTR, in addition to the brand new Lamborghini Temerario, works by Gordon Murray, and even a Pagani Huayra R.
Competition goers lined the makeshift street forward. It felt like I used to be a part of some parade. The joy and fervour was palpable, and I feel a few of them might need thought I used to be one in all Aston’s racing drivers – as a Leo, I used to be comfortable to make-believe for my 5 minutes of supposed fame.
Above: Bizarre steel lining up for the Goodwood Hillclimb
Rolling as much as the beginning line there have been much more unbelievable vehicles lining up for his or her blat up the hill. Coach-built restomods, working ideas and design research. Stuff that I had solely ever seen in footage or video video games – they have been all right here.
In my pleasure I realise I took largely movies, not pictures, of all of the extremely unique and costly steel that I rolled previous on the beginning space. When you’d prefer to see extra, I’ve a particular spotlight on my Instagram profile right here which paperwork my day on the occasion.
As we slowly snaked our approach across the makeshift cul-de-sac and headed in the direction of the beginning line – which took what felt like an eternity – Ben and I’d have little chats with employees as they walked previous and did their checks. I used to be additionally busy ensuring I knew activate the in-car digital camera suctioned to the windscreen as a result of, content material.
I’d hear the vehicles forward go for his or her runs one after the other, often signalled by clouds of smoke and the symphony of engines revving to their redlines. There comes a degree the place all of the intoxicating sounds form of mesh collectively and you’ll’t even choose up which automobile is setting off. I used to be form of in a daze.
Lastly, we have been rolling as much as the beginning line.
I squeezed my head (and hair) into the provided Aston-branded race helmet. “Strapped in?” Ben requested – I tugged twice at my seatbelt to verify (having already executed this 50 occasions whereas I waited) – “yep!” I replied, then he lit up the rear tyres for dramatic impact and off we went.
The DB12 Volante might be described as a critically fast automobile, quoting a 0-100km/h sprint in simply 3.7 seconds on its solution to a claimed prime velocity of 325km/h, however amongst its unique firm on the backside of the Goodwood hill some would possibly label it as mundane by comparability. I definitely had no such thought, having pushed one myself again dwelling final yr.
And whereas the Volante could be seen as a Sundown Boulevard cruiser fairly than a circuit bruiser like its hard-topped sibling, I’d argue {that a} second like that is finest loved with no roof – which is strictly what we did.
The bellow of the 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 behind me, the cheers of the group round us, and the sheer pleasure of seeing the brief hillclimb stage coming by means of the windscreen was an unbelievable delight for the senses. Ben was arduous on the throttle, then the brakes, then the throttle, with tight turns thrown in there for good measure.
I used to be too targeted on what was in entrance of me to essentially verify the speedo, which thoughts you was additionally in miles per hour, however I’m fairly certain I glanced over and noticed an enormous quantity beginning with ‘9’ on the digital speedo at one level, which suggests we hit at the very least 145km/h someplace.
Earlier than I do know it, we’ve crossed the end line. Ben hits the brakes, and we coast in the direction of the tip of the observe the place the vehicles that went earlier than us have collected in what appears to be like like a really costly meet.
It seems probably the most elite of Goodwood visitors have entry to seating areas across the finish of the observe the place they’ll see every automobile come by means of one-by-one after they’ve accomplished their run. Given the balmy English situations, some have been understandably puzzled at my absolutely sleeved and trousered match in comparison with their shorts and T-shirts.
We have been shortly ushered again into our vehicles for the leisurely parade again to the paddock. “Have a wave if you happen to like,” Ben says, as we roll previous spectators and observe marshalls giving us a nod and a wave. Possibly I’ll.
I arrived again at Supercar Paddock and needed to pinch myself. What an unbelievable expertise for my first time on the Goodwood Competition of Velocity.
Not solely did I get a entrance row seat at one of many world’s largest automotive occasions with a number of the coolest vehicles and race vehicles in historical past on show – as a part of the 75 years of Method 1 celebrations, in addition to a highlight on Gordon Murray Automotive – however I obtained to expertise first hand what it’s love to do a timed run up the famed hillclimb.
I then proceeded to have a fast stroll across the grounds, capping it at round one hour earlier than making a break for the carpark so I didn’t move out within the warmth. A number of folks informed me I’d want days to see all of it, they usually weren’t joking, I’d in all probability want a number of extra laps of the grounds to get the complete image.
Britain’s automobile tradition is admittedly one thing to be admired. Folks there are actually enthusiastic about every little thing on 4 wheels and can proudly use their prized possessions as modes of transport (it’s best to have seen the carpark finds), fairly than cooping it up in a glass field or attempting to flip it for a revenue six to 12 months after taking supply.
I sit up for attending the Competition of Velocity in future years, and completely can not advocate it sufficient if you happen to occur to be within the UK when it’s on – simply ensure you get tickets shortly, they promote out quick!
Lastly, an enormous thanks to the crew at Aston Martin and EVH Company for this once-in-a-lifetime alternative that made slightly boy’s dream come true.
Click on the pictures for the complete gallery
