Also making its first appearance in the UK since the 1960s is what Widdows correctly calls "the spectacular 1924 Fiat Mephistopheles. This unique, 146-mph, 21.7-litre landspeed record-breaker will be taking part in a sensational class for Brooklands outer circuit cars along with its great period rival, the 10.6-litre Delage V12, and other legendary cars from the Brooklands era."
World Rally cars will be back at Goodwood this year, Widdows says, with a new date for the Safari Rally allowing teams to include the Festival of Speed on their busy schedules. Subaru, Mitsubishi, Ford and Peugeot have all been invited.
The 25th anniversary of James Hunt's World Championship will be celebrated with Jochen Mass driving a McLaren M23. This year also sees 40 years of Brabham and Sir Jack Brabham -- who is 75 this year -- will be seen at the wheel of his all-conquering Brabham-Honda, just one of a dozen important Brabhams due at Goodwood for the weekend.
Widdows says the motorcycle entry for the 2001 Festival of Speed is the biggest and the best ever. "World Superbike Champion Carl Fogarty will be back on his Ducati 916, " Widdows reports, "while both Honda and BMW will be bringing the best of their museum collections to rival Ducati in a spectacular line-up of around 40 motorcycles from Italy, Japan and Germany."
The Earl of March himself always this the upcoming Festival will be the best ever and he doesn't break with tradition this year. "To have Carl Fogarty here plus the Formula One teams and all the other great cars and bikes to illustrate the 'Will to Win' is very exciting. There will be something for everyone and we are still planning a few surprises."