Goodwood is a traditional circuit and is still operated in
much the same way as it always has been. The marshals are
kitted out in period white overalls and the club house is a
shrine to motor racing greats. It is worth pointing out that
where you would find a crash barrier on a normal circuit at
Goodwood you quite often find an earth bank which is not as
friendly on either you or your car and with run off at a
premium this is an important note to remember.
The circuit
doesn't have many corners, but each one is a truly stunning.
Magwick being the first has a slight up and down approach.
From the turn in the apex is a long way round. Be careful of
the bump as you cross the track from the turning point to
the apex. On the exit be sure to use the full width of the
road.
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(if you do have a noisy car be patient with the power on the
exit.) The next corner is Fordwater and is essentially a
very fast right kink in the track. Due to the bumpy nature
of the circuit it is a truly terrifying corner and should be
treated with the utmost respect. This leads to St Marys
which is treated in two parts. For the first part take a
late turn in and apex to get the car tight to the right.
This will give you as much room as possible for the second
part which is steeply downhill under braking. The apex is
unsighted until after you turn in and you need to be careful
not to allow the car to run out too soon. From the bottom
you will then be looking up hill towards Lavant Corner.
There is a marshal's post to aim at initially to give you
some guidance as to where you need to position the car. Once
you arrive over the crest you can pick your braking point
and turn in quite easily. Once turned in, be careful not to
be greedy with the kerb on the inside or outside of the
corner because it is tight. Be patient with the throttle
application as the majority of accidents at Goodwood occur
here.
The run down the Lavant straight is very quick with
two slight kinks. These should be treated with the upmost
respect as a mistake here is usually severely punished. From
here the final section is Woodcote Corner. The high speed
approach it very tricky so try to ensure that braking is all
done in a straight line towards the first of the two turning
points. At the first turning point, turn the car towards
what will be the second turning point. From the second
turning point bring the car into an early apex this allows
you to get on the power very early for the short run to the
tyre chicane. This is a very simple chicane but care should
be taken as slower cars may be entering the pits just on the
exit of the chicane.
Eating on site is from the onsite burger van. Goodwood
has probably the strictest noise regulations of any circuit
in the UK so it worth making sure your car isn't over the
limit before you go. Words
kindly provided by
Jamie
Stanley
Closest Fuel Station
The nearest place for petrol is Sainsbury's just round the corner. Alternatively there is a Texaco only half a mile further which has an ultimate pump. It's on the A27 in the Havant / Portsmouth direction (there's one on each side of the dual carriageway); turn left at the roundabout by Sainsbury, & then do a right at the next one following the signs for A27 Portsmouth direction.
