Goodwood going sideways

Rally legends and ground-breaking rally cars will thrill the crowds on a purpose-built gravel special stage during the 2005 Goodwood Festival of Speed. A two-mile rally stage has been constructed in the wooded area close to the hillclimb finish line and will host action on all three days of the June 24-26 event.

Around 30 cars will take part, with an emphasis on spectacular Group B cars such as the Peugeot 205 T16, Lancia Rallye 037, MG Metro 6R4 and Ford RS200. Organisers hope to line up Björn Waldegård in a Ford Escort RS1800, Rauno Aaltonen in a Mini Cooper, Stig Blomqvist in an Audi Quattro and Sandro Munari in a Lancia Stratos. Munari demonstrated a Stratos at Goodwood’s preview day in March.

The 2005 Festival of Speed will also feature the first Goodwood appearance of Alain Prost, who is scheduled to drive his 1989 title-winning McLaren MP4/5. A number of rare Matras plus British Racing Green cars will support the hillclimb’s theme of ‘racing colours — national pride and culture’.

Tickets from www.goodwood.co.uk or 01243 755055.