The Goodwood Competition of Pace is a mainstay bucket record merchandise for automotive fanatics of all ages, as is getting a ride-along in an unique supercar with a seasoned racing driver behind the wheel.
On a latest vacation to Europe and the UK, I used to be in the appropriate place on the proper time and was supplied the unimaginable alternative to attend the 2025 Goodwood Competition of Pace as a media visitor of Aston Martin, together with a stint within the passenger seat of a DB12 Volante fanging up the famed hillclimb.
Clearly, I accepted this invitation with no hesitation, and after a 2.5-hour drive from my buddy’s home in London (shoutout to Kia UK for loaning me a brand new EV6), I made it to the hallowed grounds of the Goodwood occasion.
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After being chaperoned by Aston Martin employees by way of a particular entrance and to the marque’s visitor tent, I used to be quickly whisked away once more in the direction of the Supercar Paddock, the place a slew of very high-end autos are stored on show to the general public.
It was right here I used to be greeted by a gorgeous burgundy DB12 Volante that might be my journey for the morning run, sitting alongside the brand new Vanquish Volante, the Vantage S, in addition to Aston Martin’s Valkyrie Le Mans-inspired hybrid hypercar and the brand new Valhalla mid-engine plug-in hybrid supercar.
As a ’90s child who grew up solely dreaming of ever seeing this sort of metallic in individual, not to mention sitting in them in addition to listening to their sonorous exhaust notes in actual life, I used to be merely in awe.
Our group signed indemnity varieties after which rapidly slipped into full-length trousers and a jumper per motorsport security guidelines – thoughts you, it was fairly probably the most well liked day of the 12 months within the UK on that fabled Friday, peaking at round 34 levels Celsius.
Above: Assembling the Astons at Supercar Paddock
Irrespective of. Regardless of quite a few questions of concern from Aston Martin employees that I’ll overheat whereas ready to move to the beginning line, I used to be grinning from ear to ear and brimming with pleasure for what was to come back.
Driving me within the DB12 Volante could be Ben Seyfried, manufacturing facility driver for not solely Aston Martin but additionally Ferrari and Maserati; he has additionally participated in aggressive motorsport for 25 years throughout quite a few disciplines. Huge thanks to Ben for being an absolute legend and making my day.
The crew of Aston Martins made a procession up in the direction of the beginning line alongside different members of the ‘supercar’ group, which included quite a lot of new and up to date McLarens just like the Artura and P1 GTR, in addition to the brand new Lamborghini Temerario, works by Gordon Murray, and even a Pagani Huayra R.
Competition goers lined the makeshift highway forward. It felt like I used to be a part of some parade. The thrill and fervour was palpable, and I feel a few of them may need thought I used to be considered one of Aston’s racing drivers – as a Leo, I used to be joyful to make-believe for my 5 minutes of supposed fame.
Above: Strange metallic lining up for the Goodwood Hillclimb
Rolling as much as the beginning line there have been much more unimaginable vehicles lining up for his or her blat up the hill. Coach-built restomods, working ideas and design research. Stuff that I had solely ever seen in photos or video video games – they had been all right here.
In my pleasure I realise I took principally movies, not photographs, of all of the extremely unique and costly metallic that I rolled previous on the beginning space. In the event you’d wish to see extra, I’ve a particular spotlight on my Instagram profile right here which paperwork my day on the occasion.
As we slowly snaked our means across the makeshift cul-de-sac and headed in the direction of the beginning line – which took what felt like an eternity – Ben and I might have little chats with employees as they walked previous and did their checks. I used to be additionally busy ensuring I knew the way to activate the in-car digicam suctioned to the windscreen as a result of, content material.
I’d hear the vehicles forward go for his or her runs one after the other, often signalled by clouds of smoke and the symphony of engines revving to their redlines. There comes a degree the place all of the intoxicating sounds form of mesh collectively and you may’t even decide up which automotive is setting off. I used to be type of in a daze.
Lastly, we had been rolling as much as the beginning line.
I squeezed my head (and hair) into the provided Aston-branded race helmet. “Strapped in?” Ben requested – I tugged twice at my seatbelt to verify (having already carried out this 50 occasions whereas I waited) – “yep!” I replied, then he lit up the rear tyres for dramatic impact and off we went.
The DB12 Volante could be described as a critically fast automotive, quoting a 0-100km/h sprint in simply 3.7 seconds on its solution to a claimed prime velocity of 325km/h, however amongst its unique firm on the backside of the Goodwood hill some would possibly label it as mundane by comparability. I definitely had no such thought, having pushed one myself again house final 12 months.
And whereas the Volante may be seen as a Sundown Boulevard cruiser somewhat than a circuit bruiser like its hard-topped sibling, I’d argue {that a} second like that is finest loved with no roof – which is precisely what we did.
The bellow of the 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 behind me, the cheers of the gang round us, and the sheer pleasure of seeing the brief hillclimb stage coming by way of the windscreen was an unimaginable delight for the senses. Ben was exhausting on the throttle, then the brakes, then the throttle, with tight turns thrown in there for good measure.
I used to be too targeted on what was in entrance of me to essentially test the speedo, which thoughts you was additionally in miles per hour, however I’m fairly certain I glanced over and noticed a giant quantity beginning with ‘9’ on the digital speedo at one level, which suggests we hit a minimum of 145km/h someplace.
Earlier than I do know it, we’ve crossed the end line. Ben hits the brakes, and we coast in the direction of the tip of the observe the place the vehicles that went earlier than us have collected in what seems like a really costly meet.
It seems probably the most elite of Goodwood visitors have entry to seating areas across the finish of the observe the place they’ll see every automotive come by way of one-by-one after they’ve accomplished their run. Given the balmy English situations, some had been understandably puzzled at my absolutely sleeved and trousered match in comparison with their shorts and T-shirts.
We had been rapidly ushered again into our vehicles for the leisurely parade again to the paddock. “Have a wave if you happen to like,” Ben says, as we roll previous spectators and observe marshalls giving us a nod and a wave. Possibly I’ll.
I arrived again at Supercar Paddock and needed to pinch myself. What an unimaginable expertise for my first time on the Goodwood Competition of Pace.
Not solely did I get a entrance row seat at one of many world’s largest automotive occasions with among the coolest vehicles and race vehicles in historical past on show – as a part of the 75 years of Components 1 celebrations, in addition to a highlight on Gordon Murray Automotive – however I received to expertise first hand what it’s love to do a timed run up the famed hillclimb.
I then proceeded to have a fast stroll across the grounds, capping it at round one hour earlier than making a break for the carpark so I didn’t cross out within the warmth. A number of individuals instructed me I’d want days to see all of it, and so they weren’t joking, I’d most likely want a number of extra laps of the grounds to get the complete image.
Britain’s automotive tradition is actually one thing to be admired. Folks there are actually captivated with the whole lot on 4 wheels and can proudly use their prized possessions as modes of transport (you must have seen the carpark finds), somewhat than cooping it up in a glass field or making an attempt to flip it for a revenue six to 12 months after taking supply.
I look ahead to attending the Competition of Pace in future years, and completely can not advocate it sufficient if you happen to occur to be within the UK when it’s on – simply be sure to get tickets rapidly, they promote out quick!
Lastly, a giant thanks to the crew at Aston Martin and EVH Company for this once-in-a-lifetime alternative that made somewhat boy’s dream come true.
Click on the pictures for the complete gallery
