Stars come out for Goodwood Festival of Speed

This year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed (June 25-28) will see the world’s biggest stars of two wheels come together for a spectacular celebration of performance. Headlining the autograph hunter’s wish-list will be nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi, who will fly in the West Sussex country estate direct from battling for a win at the Assen round of MotoGP.

It’s the Italian’s first visit to Goodwood, and as a confirmed petrolhead, he’ll be in his absolute element. Rossi will take to the famous hillclimb course to ride a special Yamaha 60th anniversary liveried YZR-M1, and will also share the same tarmac with Casey Stoner for the first time since the Australian walked away from MotoGP at the end of the 2012 season.

Stoner will be riding a Honda RC213V MotoGP bike up the hill every day, joined by a rotating cast of other Honda star riders aboard the newly-revealed RC213V-S road bike, which will make its all-action UK debut at the event.

In total, 85 championships will be represented at this year’s Festival, led by Giacomo Agostini with 15, via the likes of Rossi (9), Surtees (7), Roberts (3), Stoner (2), down to Chaz Davies’ one. If you want to be part of it you’ll have to book fast – limited tickets are still available for Thursday and Friday – head to the Festival of Speed website for the latest news and to buy tickets.