So what's this Goodwood malarky then?

Here be a brief history of how all this came about, and how the Mongol Ralliers of 2009 fit in...

Home to the Dukes of Richmond for over 300 years, the estate was donated in 1939 by the 9th Duke of Richmond, the rather competent amateur racer Freddie March, to assist the war effort. After a brief stint as a military airfield, Goodwood started out life as a Motor Circut in September 1948, hosting Britain’s very first post-War motor race meeting. This grand opening was met with a rapturous response from enthusiasts long deprived of luxuries such as motor racing since 1939.

After a rather long nap beginning in 1966 when Goodwood closed it's lovely wrought iron gates to the world of motor racing, the estate was rejuvenated with the launch in 1993 of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, now the world's largest celebration of motoring culture.  Staged every summer in the grounds of Goodwood Park, the Festival attracts the best drivers and vehicles on the planet, including most of the current Formula 1 teams, plus Le Mans winners, racing motorcycles, supercars, and much more besides.  

This year, the notorious Festival of Speed will be immediately followed by the soon to be notorious Festival of Slow, the launch of the Mongol Rally 2009 UK teams, gathered together in an array of
small and slightly ridiculous vehicles about to undertake the 10,000 mile journey to Mongolia's
capital Ulaanbaatar.  A classic I think you'll agree...

Thanks to Goodwood for the image, who own the copyright to it too.