Some of the worl'ds rarest and most expensive cars are parked on the lawn outside Goodwood House throughout the weekend for the Cartier Style et Luxe. That these cars mostly return to their owners without a scratch is testament to the respect paid to them by the Festival goers.
The sculpture immediately in front of Goodwood House provides the focal point for the Festival's featured marque for the year. 2009 marks the centenary of Audi and an automotive 'monument' is planned which the Festival claims will be 'one of the most ambitious and striking' sculptures to have been constructed for the event.
Current stars of Formula One flock to Goodwood and Lewis Hamilton has been the star attraction for the past two years. The reigning world champion returns this year as does the current star of the 2009 championship, Jenson Button. Has there been a better time for British F1 fans in recent years?
Because Goodwood celebrates motorsport old and new, it's no surprise there are scores of drivers from years gone by who get involved with the Festival. Jackie Stewart and Stirling Moss are just two stalwarts of the event but it's difficult to walk 50 yards without bumping into a familiar racing figure often complete with period overalls.
Peugeot finally beat Audi's domination of the Le Mans 24 Hours this year at the third time of asking. The victorious 908 HDi FAP, driven by Alexander Wurz, David Brabham and Marc Gene, will be at the Festival of Speed - complete with Le Mans grime.
Among the star attractions at the Festival of Speed will be double world rally champion Walter Rohrl. The 1980 and 1982 champion will be reacquainted with the Audi Sport Quattro S1 he drove up the legendary Pike's Peak hillclimb in record time in 1987. Other rally drivers linked with Audi and helping to mark the marque's centenary at Goodwood will be Hannu Mikkola and Stig Blomqvist.
The Sunday Times Supercar run is one of the highlights for lovers of automotive exotica. The new Audi R8V10 is one of the cars that will be making its way up the Goodwood hill. Others to watch out for include the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport and Ferrari California.
Anniversaries are often celebrated at Goodwood and this year the Festival marks Audi's centenary but also blowing out the birthday candles will be MINI, Bugatti and Morgan.