Visit the Goodwood Festival of Speed with the experts

Advertising feature

Nestled in the countryside of West Sussex is the ornate 17th-century stately home of the Earl and Countess of March. The Earl holds the annual 'Goodwood Festival of Speed' hill climb featuring historic motor racing vehicles in the grounds of the estate.

Such is the popularity of the event that it is a sells out every year and is limited to one hundred and fifty thousand guests. Tickets are bought in advance for the June or early July date.

The Earl of March's heritage goes back a long way, and he was expected to take responsibility of Goodwood House and its estate at the age of 40 as is the family custom. Previous generations built a horseracing track, "Glorious Goodwood" as they call it, an auto race circuit where 50 some years ago they held an Easter meeting for the Glover trophy, an aerodrome, where I'm sure many WWII planes are housed, and a couple of golf courses. The Earl of March has contributed the Goodwood Festival Speed and Revival which have become incredibly successful. The March families are great entrepreneurs and take their family responsibilities very seriously.

The heritage of the Earl of March has been created several times in the Peerage of Scotland and the Peerage of England. The title derived from the "marches" or boundaries between England and either Wales (Welsh Marches) or Scotland (Scottish Marches), and was held by several great feudal families which owned lands in those border districts. Later, however, the title came to be granted as an honorary dignity, and ceased to carry any associated power in the marches. The title is now a subsidiary title of the Dukes of Richmond and the current duke's eldest son Charles Gordon-Lennox, Earl of March and Kinrara uses it as a courtesy title.

You are staying in Portsmouth about 30 minutes from Goodwood. It is a dynamic waterfront city packed with great reasons to visit. From the pomp and ceremony of the proud naval and maritime heritage, to towering world-class visitor attractions, museums and galleries, unique shopping destinations, great places to eat and miles and miles of beautiful waterfront, Portsmouth offers something for absolutely everyone.

It is also home to the Royal Navy Museum and has some incredible ships lined up on the wharfs. HMS Victory, the ship that Admiral Lord Nelson devastated the French and Spanish armada in Trafalgar, is displayed in all her splendor. When you look through the museum make sure you have half a day. Your hotel is just a stone's throw from the Museum.

Grand Prix Tours has offered Formula 1 and Historic events weekend experiences to race fans for over 30 years. Their inside connections allow them to get the best rooms and the best viewing locations available, along with their knowledge of the each event location you will be sure to have an experience of a life time and a hassle-free weekend. Call Grand Prix Tours today at 1 800 400 1998 for more information on the Goodwood Festival of Speed or visit their website at www.gptours.com to see all the weekend experiences they offer.

RACER's Formula 1 coverage is presented by Grand Prix Tours. Feel the power and the glory of Grand Prix racing now via Grand Prix Tours' Pick 8 competition.