The 30th edition of the Festival of Speed promises to be another special one. At least four MotoGP teams have confirmed their presence, including the factory Ducati team with current world champion Pecco Bagnaia.
The Goodwood Festival of Speed, which attracts 100,000 spectators annually, manages to sign big names every year. Giocomo Agostini celebrated his 80th birthday there last year and Wayne Rainey made his amazing return on the YZR500 with which he won the world title in 1992. In 1993, Rainey suffered a spinal cord injury in a crash at Misano.
Four of the current MotoGP teams have already confirmed their presence for this year’s edition: MotoGP world champions Ducati, GasGas Tech3, LCR Honda and KTM. In addition, the Moto2 team GASGAS Aspar will also be present with their British driver Jake Dixon.
In addition, quite a few greats of yesteryear will be present: Alex Criville, Freddie Spencer, Giacomo Agostini, Casey Stoner, Kenny Roberts Jr, Kevin Schwantz, Mickk Doohan and Wayne Gardner, together good for an impressive 32 world titles.
“I am absolutely thrilled that the Festival of Speed will host its biggest ever MotoGP celebration this year. My thanks to Dorna Sports, the teams and drivers for including us in their busy schedules – it means so much to everyone at Goodwood and all our fans that they will be here to celebrate with us.”
“We are very proud to announce this celebration of MotoGP at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. It is an honor for us to play a key role in the 30th anniversary and to be invited to showcase the best of our sport by sharing the stage with our fellow icons of speed.
It will be something truly unique and I would like to thank our teams, drivers and legends for their enthusiasm during their presence. We hope we’ll be able to put on an incredible show for the fans – and for the Duke of Richmond! We have always been honored by his unwavering passion for our sport. Thanks for the invitation!”
“We recently celebrated the 1,000th FIM Grand Prix and next season will mark 75 years since motor racing became the first world championship in motorsport in 1949. At the same time, 2023 is a milestone year of a different kind, with more races than ever and the Tissot Sprint race added to the calendar.
At this crossroads of history and innovation, the Festival of Speed 2023 is the perfect opportunity to celebrate both the sport’s rich heritage and the heroes of the incredible spectacle we enjoy every weekend in this modern era.”
This year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed will take place from 13 to 16 July at the Goodwood estate.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.