Arguably the most appealing aspect of the Festival of Speed, now firmly established as one of the staples of the motoring world, is that the event means something different to each of the 180,000-plus visitors who pass through the gates of Lord March’s country pile. The four-day extravaganza – from the curtain-raising Moving Motor Show through to the three days of the Festival proper – is now so vast that it is a challenge to absorb it all in one go.

Anniversary

Peugeot is celebrating 30 years of the GTI this year, with the landmark 205 GTI first terrorising roads in 1984. An enhanced 208 GTI 30th Anniversary Limited Edition will make its world debut at Goodwood. The car will be on static display in the Moving Motor Show and drive on the hillclimb at speed.

Bentley

Road and track align for the Crewe manufacturer, which is showing off the new high-performance version of the Continental GT inspired by its GT3 racer. Named the GT3-R, this two-seat, 572bhp V8 monster is described as the “fastest-ever accelerating” and “most dynamic road car” in Bentley’s history.

Citroen

The French manufacturer is unveiling its radical new Cactus hatch and latest C1 city car in the UK for the first time. It will also showcase the 80th anniversary of Traction Avant, the vehicle that helped to popularise front-wheel drive when it was introduced in 1934, with a display in the Moving Motor Show pavilion.

Damon Hill

Hill, the 1996 world champion, is among seven F1 title winners who’ll be present during the weekend. Also confirmed are Jenson Button, Emerson Fittipaldi, Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Räikkönen, Sir Jackie Stewart and John Surtees. Current F1 teams in attendance include Red Bull, McLaren, Williams and Mercedes.