Well done, Your Lordship! Your 3-day Goodwood Festival of Speed is underway again and as always since its inception in 2003 it will thrill up to150,000 spectators while leaving the rest of us dripping with envy.

For the benefit of the uninitiated, a little background. The vast Goodwood estate in England is owned by the Earl of March, an auto racing enthusiast who creates a spectacular annual hillclimb for historic motor vehicles combined with several other fun events, under the heading "Goodwood Festival of Speed." Nearly 200 cars in various classes race up the 9-turn incline, then come back down for another go. The variety of competing cars is remarkable, going back over 100 years. Motorcycles have recently been added and F1 cars will also attack the hill, although the latter are limited to demonstration runs. The roster of world-famous drivers includes both current and retired champions from Europe and America.

A specially-built forest stage for rally cars driven by past and present international stars is an added bonus while a novel event at this year's festival will feature F1 drivers on bicycles paired with professional cyclists in 2-man teams. Anthony Davidson, Jensen Button and Mark Webber will race up, then down, the hill, along with former F1 drivers Damon Hill and Allan McNish. Need a respite from all that speed and noise? The Cartier Style et Luxe, a concours d'elegance, is held on the estate grounds and this year will include no less than four (out of six made) Bugatti Royales. For updates on the activities go to the Festival site or to Autoblog, which has one of its US reporters on hand (lucky fellow).

[artwork: © Goodwood Festival of Speed]