We normally associate the Goodwood Festival of Speed with old (and recent) competition cars, blasting up the gentle hillclimb lined by straw bales driven by motor racing stars young and old, watched by tens of thousands.

It is all that, but its ability to concentrate in one place an exceptionally large number of well-off enthusiasts for high performance cars makes it the ideal place to launch your new super-dooper dream sports car and manufacturers are flocking to do just that.

Promised for this year's Festival on June 22 are:

The Acabion GTBO, claimed to do an incredible 342mph (we doubt it!)

The Bristol Fighter T, claimed to be the most powerful production car at 1012bhp (possibly)

The Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe

The Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera

And even the third-generation Ford Mondeo and the Mazda 2.

Making their public debuts with runs up the hill will be Maserati Gran Turismo, Caparo T1, Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR Roadster, Audi R8, Bentley Brooklands Coup, Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, bio-ethanol-powered Concept Climax, the electric Tesla Roadster, RUF CT3 and Artega GT, to name but a few.

 A couple of still top-secret concepts from major manufacturers are also due to be revealed for the very first time at the Festival.

Also worth a visit will be the FoS-TECH Goodwood Technology Pavilion, a new, covered, state-of-the-art technology exhibition showcasing the future of motoring and environmental issues in a series of interesting new initiatives from motor manufacturers, design specialists and other motor industry suppliers.

It will contain recent concept cars such as the hydrogen-powered Ital Design Vadho, the Honda Small Hybrid Coup and Mazda Hakaze, appearing for the first time on British soil.

Also high on the list of appropriate exhibits are other ecologically-advanced concept vehicles not seen in Britain before, such as the hybrid Toyota FT-HS and diesel-hybrid Peugeot 908 RC, along with projects such as the personal mobility Toyota I-Swing, Nissan Pivo and Hondas Asimo robot, which illustrate how the automotive world is changing and pioneering new technologies to meet future transportation requirements and legislation.

To order advance tickets, please contact the Ticket Hotline: +44 (0)1243 755055, Email: bookings@goodwood.co.uk or book online at: www.goodwood.co.uk

Malcolm McKay, Motorbase News Editor