Porsche celebrates 60 years at the 2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend with a high speed demonstration of the latest generation 911. The facelifted 997 Carrera and 911 GT2 will be participating in the ‘Sunday Times’ Supercar Run up the hillclimb course.
Various other Porsche’s representing all decades of Porsche history will make their appearance at the festival. Including two ground-breaking cars from its past: the 1970 908/03 Spyder and the 1973 917/30 Spyder.
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Acclaimed as one of the best sports cars in the world, Porsche has developed the unique rear-engined concept of the 911 continually over its 45 year evolution so that it remains relevant in changing times. Now, by introducing a wide range of new and truly comprehensive technologies, Porsche has built on the outstanding reputation of the 911 to further optimise the car to today’s driving environment. All-new flat six engines of 3.6 and 3.8-litres capacity featuring Direct Fuel Injection (DFI), and the option of the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) double-clutch transmission, are particular highlights marking a quantum leap in the car’s development.
The 911 Carrera will be participating in the ‘Sunday Times’ Supercar Run up the hillclimb course, a high-octane display of horsepower that celebrates the ultimate in performance road car engineering. The 530bhp Porsche 911 GT2 – the fastest, most powerful road-going 911 currently on sale – will also star at the Sussex venue.
Uniquely, visitors to Goodwood will once again be invited to experience Porsche power first hand, with high-speed rides on offer in the Porsche Cayenne around a specially-designed circuit located next to the famous speed hillclimb course.
The driver-oriented chassis of the Porsche Cayenne has been designed to combine sports car handling on the road with the added versatility of extreme agility off-road. The grass-surfaced course, around which the 385bhp V8-engined Cayenne S models will power, is intended to demonstrate perfectly the outstanding dynamic ability of the four door Porsche.
Rides in the all-wheel drive Cayenne S will be available in exchange for a donation to the Make a Wish Foundation. Members of the public will be able to jump into the passenger seat alongside a Driving Consultant from the Porsche Driving Experience, and enjoy an exciting high speed run.Manufacturers and private owners are invited to demonstrate cars of historical significance at Goodwood, relating to the motor sporting disciplines celebrated. Sports car and endurance racing plays a major part in each year’s Festival, and given the unparalleled achievements by Porsche in this field, the world-renowned Porsche Museum team from Stuttgart is showcasing two ground-breaking cars from its past – the 1970 908/03 Spyder and the 1973 917/30.
The Goodwood Festival of Speed each year has an overall motor sporting theme and for 2008 it is ‘Hawthorn to Hamilton – Britain’s Love Affair with World Motor Sport.’ Over the years, many famous British racing drivers have enjoyed success behind the wheel of sports cars from Stuttgart.
A further unique feature of Goodwood is that the event seeks to reunite famous cars with drivers from the original factory teams. This year sees a star-studded line-up of former Porsche drivers assembled together once more. These will include Richard Attwood, the winner of the first Porsche victory at Le Mans in 1970, who will be driving the 908/03 Spyder; Jackie Oliver, who will once again be behind the wheel of a Porsche 917; and Brian Redman will also be reunited with the Stuttgart marque.
Porsche enthusiasts visiting Goodwood will be pleased to learn that there are many more examples of the marque, and former factory race drivers, participating in the Festival of Speed. These will include Derek Bell, five-time Le Mans winner; and Allan McNish, winner of the 1998 Le Mans with the Porsche factory team.
And for visitors wishing to re-fuel themselves, the Porsche Café Le Mans will be once more situated on the outside of the track near the footbridge, offering meals and refreshments.The Goodwood Festival of Speed takes place in the grounds of Goodwood House, near Chichester, Sussex, between July 11 – 13. Admission is by advanced ticket only. For further information about the weekend’s activities and admission prices, visit goodwood.co.uk, or telephone 01243 755055.
Video:
Derek Bell tests the new Porsche 997 GT2 and compares it to the old Porsche 911 2.7 RS
