One of the UK’s flagship motorsport events has been given the green light to go ahead next month.
Doubts were cast over whether the Goodwood Festival of Speed would be able to happen this year due to the government pushing back its lockdown lifting date from June 21 to July 19.
With the Festival of Speed – held near Chichester, West Sussex – taking place between July 8 and 11, there was uncertainty around the event in 2021.
However, Goodwood has now confirmed that it can go ahead as a pilot event from the government’s Event Research Programme (ERP) that looks to explore how large events can take place with Covid-19.
Under the restrictions, all attendees will be required to prove they have had both doses of the coronavirus vaccine at least 14 days prior to the event or offer proof of a negative lateral flow test within 48 hours of the event, which can be taken at home or at a recognised centre free of charge.
However, the measures in place will mean that the Festival of Speed can go ahead with all those already with a ticket, hospitality or grandstand pass able to attend.
Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “We are continuing to expand the Events Research Programme’s remit to include more of our iconic cultural and sporting events and the Goodwood Festival of Speed will now return for the first time since the pandemic broke.
“Festival goers will now be able to enjoy the raw horsepower of Goodwood’s legendary automotive, aeronautical and equine offerings up close thanks to our tremendous vaccine rollout and the increasingly popular use of the NHS App to prove your Covid status.”
This year’s Festival of Speed is set to celebrate Lotus as its central feature, with this main theme being ‘The Maestros – Motorsport’s Great All-Rounders’, which looks to honour the drivers, teams and manufacturers that have been successful across a range of different types of motorsport.
