Goodwood Festival of Speed returns with BIGGEST EVER line-up of car debuts

The Goodwood Festival of Speed returns this weekend with its BIGGEST EVER line-up of car debuts - and you can still buy tickets for this Thursday.

The 30th edition of the event, sponsored by Mastercard, will feature more than 100 cars on display in the Supercar Paddock and First Glance Paddock.

Thursday already promises to be the most memorable opening day to date, accoring to organisers.

Visitors will be allowed to get up close and personal to some of the most innovative and anticipated vehicles from across the automotive industry.

You can see some beautiful machines at Goodwood (Drew Gibson)

This will include public debuts of the Caterham Electric Seven, Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, McMurtry Spéirling Track Car, Porsche 718 Spyder RS, and the UK debut of the BMW 5 Series Saloon – with many other marques promising something special but keeping things under wraps for now.

The world famous Goodwood Hill will also be open on Thursday morning to all those who wish to explore the iconic track. The walk will allow visitors to see the event from a whole new perspective, sharing the views experienced by the great and the good of motorsport past, present and future.

Cars from every era will be on show (Dominic James)

And, for the first time, Thursday will also play host to practise for Sunday’s Shootout, as competing cars take to the Hill in timed runs. They will be joined by fan favourites such as ‘Mad’ Mike Whiddett, Travis Pastrana and WRC teams.

Elsewhere, fresh from the British Grand Prix, the Festival of Speed will host McLaren Formula 1 Team, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 Team and Williams Racing.

You can get up close and personal with the cars (Drew Gibson)

And in what is set to be the Festival of Speed’s biggest-ever celebration of MotoGP, teams including Ducati Lenovo Team, GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3, LCR Honda and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will take their place at the event, with additional teams and riders to be announced shortly.

The Red Arrows are also set to stun spectators with a spectacular display on both Thursday and Friday, as well visiting the event to meet and greet crowds - with Thursday ticket holders entered into a draw to win lunch with the team.

You too could be in the crowd watching the thrils (Drew Gibson)

Other highlights at this year's Festival will include:

* The Goodwood Festival of Speed Central Feature celebrating 75 years of Porsche - expect to see cars from Porsche’s history displayed on the sculpture, designed by Gerry Judah

* One of the finest concours d’elegance in the world at the Cartier Style et Luxe Lawn - stunning static displays that celebrate incredible automotive design and elegance, with an incredible line-up of classics on show

* A selection of the latest electric vehicles on show in Electric Avenue presented by BP Pulse - a curated line up of EVs from more than 20 pioneering firms.

All in all, it promises to be an exhilarating day out.

• The Festival runs from Thursday to Sunday (July 13-16th) and you can still purchase tickets for Thursday here: goodwood.com.