The organisers of the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed have told ticket holders that they are ‘exploring all options’ after the decision was made to close the event today (Saturday) due to adverse weather conditions.
The Met Office issued a yellow warning for weather today, saying southwestern Britain is likely to be affected by high winds.
A statement was released by Goodwood at 10.32pm last night expressing “deep regret” that the site would be closed today and that visitors should not attempt to enter the area.
It said: “After consulting meteorologists, health and safety experts and other key stakeholders, we have taken the decision to close the event site due to a severe wind warning in the Goodwood area.
“On-site safety is our highest priority and the forecasted high winds will pose a serious risk to various temporary structures across the site. We politely ask that you do not travel to Goodwood or attempt to access the site.”
It is the first time the Festival of Speed’s 30-year history that the doors have had to be closed, for any reason, during its operating days. The event will resume on Sunday, organisers said.
The decision was not made lightly, the statement added, and The Duke of Richmond, who owns the Goodwood estate and is the mastermind behind the event, was said to be “deeply saddened” over the decision.
On Friday, heavy rain in the south of England made driving conditions treacherous for those leaving the event, and for Saturday ticket holders travelling to the area with plans to stay overnight before entering the show.
Sadly for the latter group, the trip will have been in vein, with Goodwood reminding them that Sunday is sold out and that Saturday ticket holders attempting to enter the site on the final day will not be allowed access.
“All ticket holders for Saturday will be communicated with in the coming days regarding a refund, and we ask that customers requesting refunds please do not try to contact the ticket office over the weekend, and instead visit our FAQs.”
Saturday ticket holders took to Twitter to express their disappointment. Sarah Bell said she had travelled from Nottingham with her nine-year-old and six-year-old children to be there today, and appealed for ideas of other things to do in the Portsmouth area.
As Saturday only ticket holders for @fosgoodwood and travelled down from Nottingham last night with a 6yo and 9yo we need some suggestions for Portsmouth to save the weekend…. Help! #Goodwood #goodwoodfos #portsmouth
— Sarah Bell 💙 #lovethenhs (@SarahJBell88) July 15, 2023
Another user, Mark Reeve said he was “gutted” but understood the decision to close the event, and asked if those who’d lost out today will have priority access to tickets for the 2024 Festival of Speed.
Gutted but fully understand the difficult decision and the reasoning. 6 hour drive down today was treacherous. However rather than a refund would @fosgoodwood not consider priority sale for those who can no longer enter tomorrow, for Saturday at 2024 event pls? @dukeofrichmond_
— Mark Reeve (@markreeve6) July 14, 2023
The Goodwood social media team thanked him for the suggestion and confirmed that they are “currently looking at all options.”
A spokesperson told Driving.co.uk: “Everyone who had a ticket for today will be contacted in the coming days with further information about a refund. We are also looking at what options might be available for ticket holders with regards to the 2024 – we will do our utmost to ensure that our valued ticket buyers and customers are looked after.”
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- If you were interested in this story about Goodwood Festival of Speed being closed due to adverse weather conditions, check out our exclusive Q&A with the Duke of Richmond ahead of this year’s event
- Also take a look at our guide to the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed
- And here are the top 5 fastest ever Goodwood Festival of Speed hillclimb cars
Keyword: Goodwood Festival of Speed ticket holders told 'all options being looked at' after Saturday running cancelled