Maeving will be attending the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July 2023 to showcase our first model, the Maeving RM1, to the hundreds of thousands of attendees visiting the iconic automotive festival. The annual event showcases a vast array of historic and modern vehicles and it is an honour to bring the UK's first electric motorcycle into the historic grounds at Goodwood House.
Goodwood 2023: What To Expect
Formula 1 legend, Jensen Button, once described the Festival of Speed (FoS) as "the most special weekend for motorsport ever." These are strong words coming from a man who has tasted victory as World Drivers' Champion in 2009 and competed at the most legendary race tracks around the world. But FoS is to motorheads what Glastonbury is to music. The four day event is a truly special occasion, and we are beyond delighted to be a part of it. Here's why:
Maeving at Goodwood
We're thrilled to be returning to the Goodwood Festival of Speed for the second time after the success of last year. You can find us at Stall 129 from 13th-16th July where we will be showcasing the Maeving RM1.
If you're planning on attending, this will be a fantastic opportunity to take a seat on our motorcycle, chat to our friendly team, see the new Maeving Roll Top Pannier and take a sneak peek at an exclusive collaboration we have worked on with helmet heroes, Hedon.
The Hillclimb
FoS is, perhaps, best known for the iconic hillclimb, an unassuming, narrow and windy stretch of road that transforms into one of motor racing's most challenging courses. Each year, anything from vintage classics to cutting-edge supercars make their way to the start line to showcase the raw speed and precision of the vehicles.
The 1.16 mile hillclimb is at the heart of the event, attracting thousands of spectators and famous faces since its inception in 1993. Last year, a McMurty Spéirling, a small electric hypercar, smashed the Goodwood hillclimb record. Ex-F1 driver, Max Chilton, was behind the wheel as the EV zoomed up the course in 39.08 seconds.
Now, as much as it would be a dream to take the Maeving RM1 for a spin up the iconic hill, we're unlikely to challenge McMurty's record any time soon.
The F1 Pit Lane
Unless you're attending a Grand Prix weekend, there's nowhere quite like FoS for seeing some of Formula 1's greatest cars, drivers and teams. The F1 Pit Lane produces one of the most exciting atmospheres at the event, as racing cars from all eras are displayed in the paddocks, before they make their way to the hillclimb.
The F1 Pit Lane is also the best place to catch a glimpse of your favourite drivers. Legends, champions and rising stars attend the festival every year to meet with fans and take on the hillclimb.
Race without Trace: Sebastian Vettel at FoS
This year, four-time Formula 1 world champion, Sebastian Vettel, is making a special appearance to celebrate his astonishing career but also to promote the sustainable future of the sport. Despite having retired in 2022, Vettel continues to be one of the most prominent and important voices in motorsport.
Before the Grand Prix at Silverstone last season, Vettel drove a Williams FW14B on e-fuels around the circuit to highlight the capabilities of alternative fuels in motorsports. Since then, Vettel launched "Race without Trace", an initiative that demonstrates the viability of combustion engines and e-fuels in shaping the future of motorsport.
"I can't wait to get behind the wheel of some of my most memorable cars which will be running on sustainable fuel over the weekend," Vettel commented on his return to FoS, "I'm a passionate racer and it's important to me that we continue to enjoy racing iconic cars in the future, but that we do so in a responsible way."
You can catch the F1 legend across Saturday and Sunday for special celebrations of Vettel's career on the Goodwood balcony and to learn more about his sustainability efforts.
Electric Avenue
Speaking of sustainable transport, since its introduction in 2019, Goodwood's Electric Avenue has become one of the most celebrated and popular areas of the festival. Showcasing the latest advancements in electric mobility, it offers visitors the opportunity to explore and experience a wide range of EVs, from cutting-edge cars to innovative electric motorcycles.
Electric Avenue is well worth a visit over the weekend to take a look at the latest models and learn about the benefits of switching to electric. This year is set to see 20% of all the vehicles at the event run on alternative fuels - the highest ever. We're proud to be a part of it.
The Story of the First FoS
The inaugural Festival of Speed began in 1993 when Lord March, Charles Gordon Lennox, 11th Duke of Richmond, sought to bring motorsports back to the Goodwood Estate. The history of motorsports in Goodwood began when Lord March's grandfather, Freddie Richmond, opened the Goodwood Motor Circuit in 1948. Initially, Lord March hoped to host the event at the circuit but, after failing to gain a permit, he decided to host it on his own grounds at Goodwood House.
"Do you think it'll work?", Lord March asked on the first ever press day for the event. When 30,000 enthusiastic motorheads turned up for the festival in the summer of 1993, those doubts were quickly set aside. Despite it being the first ever FoS, the flashiest cars and people rocked up to soak in the atmosphere. Two V16 BRMs, a gorgeous Alfa Romeo Alfetta, Ferraris, Aston Martins and Formula 1 McLarens left attendees in awe, whilst renowned automotive names like Damon Hill, Gordon Murray, Roy Salvadori and Ron Dennis added sparkle to the spectacle.
One particular surprise came on the final day when Lord March was taking a walk through the grounds. "We did not allow modern road cars into the park [at the time], to preserve the historic feel of the event ," the Duke of Richmond explains, "walking past the Stables I came across a Rocket, the Light Car Company's new car designed by Gordon Murray and Chris Craft. I was about to have it removed when... along comes George Harrison." To the spectators' great delight, The Beatles' legend drove the Rocket up the hill and became a regular visitor at FoS over the years.
The Maeving RM1 will be one of many stars at this years' Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Here's to making more history
CHARGE ON.