The Goodwood Competition of Pace is a mainstay bucket record merchandise for automobile lovers of all ages, as is getting a ride-along in an unique supercar with a seasoned racing driver behind the wheel.
On a current vacation to Europe and the UK, I used to be in the appropriate place on the proper time and was supplied the unbelievable alternative to attend the 2025 Goodwood Competition of Pace as a media visitor of Aston Martin, together with a stint within the passenger seat of a DB12 Volante fanging up the famed hillclimb.
Clearly, I accepted this invitation with no hesitation, and after a 2.5-hour drive from my good friend’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 employees by way of a particular entrance and to the marque’s visitor tent, I used to be quickly whisked away once more in the direction of the Supercar Paddock, the place a slew of very high-end autos are stored on show to the general public.
It was right here I used to be greeted by a wonderful burgundy DB12 Volante that might be my experience for the morning run, sitting alongside the brand new Vanquish Volante, the Vantage S, in 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 type of steel in individual, 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 varieties after which shortly slipped into full-length trousers and a jumper per motorsport security guidelines – thoughts you, it was fairly presumably 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
Irrespective of. Regardless of quite a few questions of concern from Aston Martin employees that I could overheat whereas ready to go 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 can be Ben Seyfried, manufacturing unit driver for not solely Aston Martin but in addition 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 the 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.
Competition goers lined the makeshift highway forward. It felt like I used to be a part of some parade. The thrill and keenness was palpable, and I feel a few of them might need thought I used to be one in all Aston’s racing drivers – as a Leo, I used to be completely happy to make-believe for my 5 minutes of supposed fame.
Above: Extraordinary steel lining up for the Goodwood Hillclimb
Rolling as much as the beginning line there have been much more unbelievable automobiles 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 had 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 wish 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 method across the makeshift cul-de-sac and headed in the direction of the beginning line – which took what felt like an eternity – Ben and I’d have little chats with employees as they walked previous and did their checks. I used to be additionally busy ensuring I knew tips on how to activate the in-car digicam suctioned to the windscreen as a result of, content material.
I’d hear the automobiles 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 some extent the place all of the intoxicating sounds form of mesh collectively and you may’t even decide up which automobile is setting off. I used to be sort of in a daze.
Lastly, we had been rolling as much as the beginning line.
I squeezed my head (and hair) into the equipped Aston-branded race helmet. “Strapped in?” Ben requested – I tugged twice at my seatbelt to verify (having already completed 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 may be described as a critically fast automobile, quoting a 0-100km/h sprint in simply 3.7 seconds on its strategy to a claimed high velocity of 325km/h, however amongst its unique firm on the backside of the Goodwood hill some may label it as mundane by comparability. I actually had no such thought, having pushed one myself again house final 12 months.
And whereas the Volante may be seen as a Sundown Boulevard cruiser somewhat 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 precisely what we did.
The bellow of the 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 behind me, the cheers of the gang round us, and the sheer pleasure of seeing the quick hillclimb stage coming by way of the windscreen was an unbelievable delight for the senses. Ben was laborious 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 actually test the speedo, which thoughts you was additionally in miles per hour, however I’m fairly certain I glanced over and noticed an enormous quantity beginning with ‘9’ on the digital speedo at one level, which suggests we hit at the very least 145km/h someplace.
Earlier than I do know it, we’ve crossed the end line. Ben hits the brakes, and we coast in the direction of the tip of the observe the place the automobiles that went earlier than us have collected in what seems like a really costly meet.
It seems probably the most elite of Goodwood visitors have entry to seating areas across the finish of the observe the place they will see every automobile come by way of one-by-one after they’ve accomplished their run. Given the balmy English circumstances, some had been understandably puzzled at my absolutely sleeved and trousered match in comparison with their shorts and T-shirts.
We had been shortly ushered again into our automobiles for the leisurely parade again to the paddock. “Have a wave for those who like,” Ben says, as we roll previous spectators and observe 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 Competition of Pace.
Not solely did I get a entrance row seat at one of many world’s largest automotive occasions with among the coolest automobiles and race automobiles 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 bought 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 folks informed me I’d want days to see all of it, and so they weren’t joking, I’d most likely want a number of extra laps of the grounds to get the total image.
Britain’s automobile tradition is absolutely one thing to be admired. Individuals there are actually captivated with every part on 4 wheels and can proudly use their prized possessions as modes of transport (it’s best to have seen the carpark finds), somewhat than cooping it up in a glass field or attempting to flip it for a revenue six to 12 months after taking supply.
I stay up for attending the Competition of Pace in future years, and completely can’t suggest it sufficient for those who occur to be within the UK when it’s on – simply be sure to get tickets shortly, they promote out quick!
Lastly, an enormous thanks to the workforce at Aston Martin and EVH Company for this once-in-a-lifetime alternative that made just a little boy’s dream come true.
Click on the photographs for the total gallery
