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The incredible 1,000bhp Bugatti Veyron made its first appearance at a UK event when it roared up the Goodwood hillclimb on March 23rd during the annual Festival of Speed press launch. There were also debut appearances for the Maserati GranSport Spyder, Prodrive P2 and Range Rover Sport Supercharged HST.

In total, more than 50 important racing cars and motorcycles took part, along with a host of motor sport heroes. Half a dozen great rally drivers were in action both on the hillclimb and the new, improved Forest Rally Stage. Former World Champion Hannu Mikkola, who acted as Goodwood’s consultant on the course design, was joined by fellow World Champion Colin McRae and legendary Monte Carlo Rally winner Rauno Aaltonen, British Champions Russell Brookes and Marcus Dodd, plus former Datsun Works star Tony Fall.

In recognition of the Festival’s theme this year, which is ‘Racing for Glory – A Century of Grands Prix’, Sir Stirling Moss and his wife, Lady Susie, donned Edwardian costumes reminiscent of the first-ever Grand Prix, while the Earl of March’s daughter, Lady Alexandra Gordon Lennox, wore a race suit belonging to current World Champion Fernando Alonso. Also on hand was a 1907 Renault similar to that which won the first GP race, as well as the reigning World Champion Constructor’s latest car.

In addition, Former World Sportscar Champion Jochen Mass took to the hill in a Porsche 962 and British Superbike star Ryuichi Kiyonari rode his Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade.

Lord March said: ‘I was thrilled to bring the Bugatti Veyron to Goodwood for its debut, even more so when they allowed me to drive it up the hill. It is a sensational piece of engineering. It is always an honour to welcome great drivers and riders to Goodwood for these occasions, and once again we were fortunate to be blessed with fantastic weather and a great day’s action. We are all looking forward to the Festival in July.’