The Goodwood Competition of Pace is a mainstay bucket listing merchandise for automotive lovers of all ages, as is getting a ride-along in an unique supercar with a seasoned racing driver behind the wheel.
On a current vacation to Europe and the UK, I used to be in the fitting place on the proper time and was provided the unbelievable 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 good friend’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 direction of the Supercar Paddock, the place a slew of very high-end automobiles are saved on show to the general public.
It was right here I used to be greeted by a stupendous burgundy DB12 Volante that might be my experience 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 particular person, 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 kinds after which shortly slipped into full-length trousers and a jumper per motorsport security guidelines – thoughts you, it was fairly presumably 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
Regardless of. Regardless of quite a few questions of concern from Aston Martin employees that I’ll overheat whereas ready to go to the beginning line, I used to be grinning from ear to ear and brimming with pleasure for what was to return.
Driving me within the DB12 Volante can be Ben Seyfried, manufacturing unit driver for not solely Aston Martin but in addition Ferrari and Maserati; he has additionally participated in aggressive motorsport for 25 years throughout quite a few disciplines. Large thanks to Ben for being an absolute legend and making my day.
The crew of Aston Martins made a procession up in direction of the beginning line alongside different members of the ‘supercar’ group, which included various 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 street forward. It felt like I used to be a part of some parade. The joy and keenness was palpable, and I believe a few of them might 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: Bizarre metallic lining up for the Goodwood Hillclimb
Rolling as much as the beginning line there have been much more unbelievable automobiles 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 have been all right here.
In my pleasure I realise I took principally movies, not images, of all of the extremely unique and costly metallic that I rolled previous on the beginning space. For those who’d prefer 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 direction of the beginning line – which took what felt like an eternity – Ben and I’d have little chats with employees as they walked previous and did their checks. I used to be additionally busy ensuring I knew the right way to activate the in-car digital camera suctioned to the windscreen as a result of, content material.
I’d hear the automobiles 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 some extent the place all of the intoxicating sounds kind of mesh collectively and you’ll’t even decide up which automotive is setting off. I used to be sort of in a daze.
Lastly, we have been rolling as much as the beginning line.
I squeezed my head (and hair) into the equipped Aston-branded race helmet. “Strapped in?” Ben requested – I tugged twice at my seatbelt to ensure (having already executed this 50 instances whereas I waited) – “yep!” I replied, then he lit up the rear tyres for dramatic impact and off we went.
The DB12 Volante will be described as a critically fast automotive, quoting a 0-100km/h sprint in simply 3.7 seconds on its option to a claimed high velocity of 325km/h, however amongst its unique firm on the backside of the Goodwood hill some may label it as mundane by comparability. I actually had no such thought, having pushed one myself again dwelling final 12 months.
And whereas the Volante is perhaps seen as a Sundown Boulevard cruiser slightly than a circuit bruiser like its hard-topped sibling, I’d argue {that a} second like that is greatest 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 quick hillclimb stage coming by way of the windscreen was an unbelievable delight for the senses. Ben was onerous 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 verify the speedo, which thoughts you was additionally in miles per hour, however I’m fairly positive I glanced over and noticed a giant quantity beginning with ‘9’ on the digital speedo at one level, which suggests we hit no less than 145km/h someplace.
Earlier than I do know it, we’ve crossed the end line. Ben hits the brakes, and we coast in direction of the top of the observe the place the automobiles that went earlier than us have collected in what seems to be 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 will see every automotive come by way of one-by-one after they’ve accomplished their run. Given the balmy English circumstances, some have been understandably puzzled at my totally sleeved and trousered match in comparison with their shorts and T-shirts.
We have been shortly ushered again into our automobiles for the leisurely parade again to the paddock. “Have a wave in the event you 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 unbelievable 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 a few of the coolest automobiles and race automobiles in historical past on show – as a part of the 75 years of Formulation 1 celebrations, in addition to a highlight on Gordon Murray Automotive – however I acquired 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 informed me I’d want days to see all of it, and so they weren’t joking, I’d in all probability want a number of extra laps of the grounds to get the total image.
Britain’s automotive tradition is absolutely one thing to be admired. Folks there are actually captivated with every part on 4 wheels and can proudly use their prized possessions as modes of transport (you need to have seen the carpark finds), slightly 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’t suggest it sufficient in the event you occur to be within the UK when it’s on – simply ensure you get tickets shortly, they promote out quick!
Lastly, a giant thanks to the staff at Aston Martin and EVH Company for this once-in-a-lifetime alternative that made a little bit boy’s dream come true.
Click on the pictures for the total gallery
