The Goodwood Pageant of Velocity is a mainstay bucket checklist merchandise for automobile fans 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 correct place on the proper time and was provided the unbelievable alternative to attend the 2025 Goodwood Pageant of Velocity as a media visitor of Aston Martin, together with a stint within the passenger seat of a DB12 steering wheel 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 workers by a particular entrance and to the marque’s visitor tent, I used to be quickly whisked away once more in direction of the Supercar Paddock, the place a slew of very high-end autos are saved on show to the general public.
It was right here I used to be greeted by a ravishing burgundy DB12 Volante that might be my journey for the morning run, sitting alongside the brand new Vanquish steering wheelthe Vantage Sin 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 particular person, 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 kinds after which rapidly slipped into full-length trousers and a jumper per motorsport security guidelines – thoughts you, it was fairly probably the most well liked day of the 12 months 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 workers that I’ll 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 additionally Ferrari and Maserati; he has additionally participated in aggressive motorsport for 25 years throughout quite a few disciplines. Massive thanks to Ben for being an absolute legend and making my day.
The crew of Aston Martins made a procession up in direction of the beginning line alongside different members of the ‘supercar’ group, which included a lot of 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.
Pageant goers lined the makeshift highway 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 certainly one of Aston’s racing drivers – as a Leo, I used to be joyful 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 images, of all of the extremely unique and costly steel that I rolled previous on the beginning space. For those who’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 direction of the beginning line – which took what felt like an eternity – Ben and I might have little chats with workers as they walked previous and did their checks. I used to be additionally busy ensuring I knew how one can activate the in-car digicam 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 kind 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 ensure (having already accomplished 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 will be described as a severely fast automobile, quoting a 0-100km/h sprint in simply 3.7 seconds on its option to a claimed high pace 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 actually had no such thought, having pushed one myself again dwelling final 12 months.
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 the windscreen was an unbelievable delight for the senses. Ben was onerous 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 examine the speedo, which thoughts you was additionally in miles per hour, however I’m fairly positive I glanced over and noticed a giant quantity beginning with ‘9’ on the digital speedo at one level, which suggests we hit no less than 145km/h someplace.
Earlier than I do know it, we’ve crossed the end line. Ben hits the brakes, and we coast in direction of the tip of the monitor the place the vehicles that went earlier than us have collected in what appears to be like like a really costly meet.
It seems essentially the most elite of Goodwood visitors have entry to seating areas across the finish of the monitor the place they will see every automobile come by one-by-one after they’ve accomplished their run. Given the balmy English situations, some have been understandably puzzled at my totally sleeved and trousered match in comparison with their shorts and T-shirts.
We have been rapidly ushered again into our vehicles for the leisurely parade again to the paddock. “Have a wave for those who like,” Ben says, as we roll previous spectators and monitor 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 Pageant 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 acquired 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 go out within the warmth. A number of individuals instructed 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 total image.
Britain’s automobile tradition is basically one thing to be admired. Folks there are actually obsessed with the whole lot on 4 wheels and can proudly use their prized possessions as modes of transport (you need to have seen the carpark finds), fairly than cooping it up in a glass field or making an attempt to flip it for a revenue six to 12 months after taking supply.
I stay up for attending the Pageant of Velocity in future years, and completely can’t advocate it sufficient for those who occur to be within the UK when it’s on – simply ensure you get tickets rapidly, they promote out quick!
Lastly, a giant thanks to the workforce at Aston Martin and EVH Company for this once-in-a-lifetime alternative that made a bit boy’s dream come true.
Click on the photographs for the total gallery
