Goodwood Festival of Speed and Revival events are raring to go

That is the reality for the Queen, whose prestige wheels come into sharp focus at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, as Her Majesty celebrates her momentous jubilee year.

Among them will be a state vehicle used for her visit to France in the 1970s, with any luck alongside some cars with a little West Sussex connection, given the royal household’s fondness for classic Rolls-Royce Phantoms. Such is the family’s attachment to the famous motoring marque that a Rolls-Royce accompanied them on state visits abroad in its very own garage aboard the royal yacht.

There will also be a presence from the marque’s present day equivalents, as the Goodwood-based company confirms it is among the event’s key sponsors.

Its allure for fans around the world is easy to see, with what are likely to be some of the most highly-prized cars in attendance, from McLaren’s first road sports car MP4-12C , which was released last year courtesy of its engine assembly at Ricardo in Shoreham, through to classic Lotus racers from the 1950s and 60s in celebration of the British manufacturer’s 60th anniversary.

Rolls-Royce continues to proudly fly the flag for British motoring and there will be dozens of fine examples in attendance this summer.

This year’s Festival of Speed (FOS) is set to feature an appearance from present Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel, who leads the charge for the event’s ‘young guns, born to win’ theme.

When you add in showings from Britain’s own former champions Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton and racing stars such as Pagham’s own Derek Bell who are scheduled to return, for those who love prestige and racing motors, there really are few other events that can truly touch it.

One of the most eagerly-awaited elements of FoS is the moving motor show. This takes place on the first day of the event and showcases some of the major manufacturer’s latest developments set for production this year. Its FoS-Tech area will also be unveiling even more technological developments in the pipeline for 2012 and beyond.

Once the festival is in full swing, one of its big draws will undoubtedly be its hill climb event, which will see everything from contemporary racing bikes through to Grand Prix cars in action. There’s also the equally popular forest rally stage which has previously proved a significant highlight.

As for Revival, between September 14-16, it will be time to bring out your very finest retro glad rags as it marks 50 years of AC Cobra racers.

Expect plenty of unmissable top-flight nostalgia racing from names which have previously included former world champion John Surtees, Sir Stirling Moss and 90s Formula one star Damon Hill. Grand Prix cars from the 50s and 60s, GTs and formula junior motors form a glorious motoring melting pot throughout the weekend.

Andy Musgrove, of Chichester Classics car restoration in Spitalfields Lane, is a long-term fan of the festival events at Chichester.

The Revival in particular is close to his heart, with many of the cars he handles dating from the 1930s onwards one way or another making their way to the Goodwood events each year.

“These events are just one big thrill – they’re a gentleman’s playground and I shall definitely be there at Revival.

“I think the festivals at Goodwood are important to Chichester, they’re good for the community and for the economy as well. They are very good events,” explains the mechanic who says working on such classic vehicles has been a real privilege.

That’s certainly appears the case for festival founder Lord March, who has been hugely devoted to all things motoring since his earliest years.

He said: “I am really looking forward to having so many great cars and drivers here at the Festival of Speed to celebrate our 2012 ‘Young Guns’ theme.

“For me it is always magical to see so many of the world’s greatest drivers, riders and machines in action.”