While this year’s Goodwood Festival Of Speed highlighted the 75 year history of F1 there was a myriad of other spectacles to be seen both on and off the track.
A clear favourite of the crowds was the antics of the “Drifters” whose wild smoke inducing driving style brings people flocking to the straw baled edges of the track The doyen of the group is undoubtedly “Mad Mike” Whiddett – who fully deserves his nickname. Mike was driving one of his favourite cars – a highly modified Mazda RX7 named “Humbul” and also interacts with other cars as can be seen from the shot above. We were privileged to be in the company of world renowned photographer, Larry Chen, who choreographed the shot. His work can be seen at larrychenphoto.com.
Here is Mad Mike driving in, as opposed to jumping over, a car.
Drift cars often seem incapable of being driven in a straight line – much to the delight of the crowd
The onset of darkness brought huge entertainment to the Duke of Richmond’s honoured guests when the drifters burst back onto the track for a display of smoke and pyrotechnics, after which calm once again returned to the front of the house.
While the Drifters were the main “supporting act” to the F1 cars three other action packed shows were to be found.
The Forrest Rally Stage is always a must see and provides a pleasantly shaded area from the sun.
While the Off Road Arena showed the brute force of machines designed to tackle all terrains.
Though for sheer skill, athleticism and bravery the prize probably goes to the MotoX performers in the Goodwood Action Sports (GAS) arena.
From apparent nonchalance:
To total detachment:
To hanging on by their fingernails:
Their actions are truly death defying!
My next piece will be on old and new vehicles at the Festival which may have been driven or ridden less exuberantly – but hopefully are no less interesting.
Larry Chen Larrychenphoto.com
