- 10. Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25
- 9. Ferrari 488 Challenge
- 8. Ford Puma Rally1
- 7. Rimac Nevera
- 6. Chrysler Viper GTS-R
- 5. Calsonic Nissan GT-R R32
- 4. Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
- 3. McLaren-Cosworth M26
- 2. Subaru GL Family Huckster
- 1. McLaren Solus GT
And there's only one EV on this list.
The 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed had a massive electric presence, but despite this, internal combustion nearly made a clean sweep in the Timed Shootout, claiming nine out of the 10 top spots.
We were expecting the McMurtry Speirling Pure to beat the standing record and walk all over the ICE competitors, but it was not to be. McMurtry made it clear that it was just there for an exhibition run, stopping halfway through the lap to show off a bit. This left the door wide open for the Rimac Nevera, but it did not capitalize.
Without any further ado, these are the 10 fastest cars at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed, in ascending order.
10. Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25
The 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 you see here was created as an anniversary celebration for Manthey-Racing. Power was kept the same as in the “regular” GT2 RS at 690 horsepower, but Manthey added “vehicle components and elements from familiar and future Porsche racing cars” to widen the track and further enhance aerodynamics. Like the 992 GT3 RS that has been revealed since, this car uses a central radiator for more longevity on track, while center-lock wheels and suspension from the modern Porsche 935 ensure it's a capable handler.
Unsurprisingly, this car managed a very quick time indeed, completing the run in 51.45 seconds.
9. Ferrari 488 Challenge
The 488 Challenge was the first turbocharged vehicle in the Challenge series, obviously based on the Ferrari 488 GTB. Ferrari builds its Challenge vehicles specifically for private teams and gentleman racers, but they're not simply standard cars with massive rear wings. Thanks to much shorter gear ratios, an intense diet, and complex aero additions, the 488 Challenge was nearly eight seconds faster around Ferrari's private Fiorano circuit than the standard 488.
As a pure-blooded racecar, it was expected to be quick, and it certainly was. What was once the most powerful Ferrari Challenge car went up the hill in a time of just 49.99 seconds.
8. Ford Puma Rally1
The M-Sport Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1 is a new breed of hybrid racer. It's equipped with a 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine and a 134-horsepower electric motor, producing a maximum combined power output of 500 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. That power goes to all four wheels (split 50/50 over both axles) via a five-speed sequential transmission. With front and rear mechanical limited-slip differentials, a spool center differential, brake discs as large as 370 millimeters, and a low weight of just over 2,777 lbs, this feisty Fiesta replacement can cut corners like a boss.
It completed the run up the Duke of Richmond's driveway in 49.47 seconds.
7. Rimac Nevera
One might have expected the record-breaking Nevera to boss the annual hill climb, but the Timed Shootout is contested by racing cars as well as road cars, so the Croatian EV has a performance disadvantage. Despite this, it managed to hang with the big boys and is the only road-legal car on this list. That said, the Nevera is exceptional among road cars, with 1,914 hp on tap, genius torque vectoring, and composite construction, enabling it to embarrass hypercars with far more heritage.
This year, the Nevera went up with Lord March's driveway in a time of 49.32 – mighty impressive for the only car that could legally drive home after the event.
6. Chrysler Viper GTS-R
This car exists because privateer teams wanted to take the Viper racing. So Chrysler approved the development of a Viper GTS with a roof to make it easier to build a Le Mans racer, and Dodge teamed up with Oreca to co-develop the GTS-R. It's one of the coolest Vipers ever and claimed eight championships, including the American Le Mans Series and Euro GT. It also scored class victories at Le Mans, the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, and the 12 Hours of Sebring. Just 57 were built, including five prototypes for testing and early use.
It may be on the old side, but the Viper put up a time of 48.291 seconds.
5. Calsonic Nissan GT-R R32
The Calsonic Nissan GT-R R32 is partly responsible for the nickname “Godzilla,” which is still (incorrectly) used for the current GT-R. It started racing in Japan in 1990, and by the time it was finished in 1993, it had won every Japanese Touring Car race. The Calsonic Skyline had the most iconic livery of all and became widely associated with the success. In fact, the Australian racing series feared this car so much that it changed the rules to make Godzilla ineligible.
This may be an old piece of JDM legend, but it completed the hillclimb in 48.18 seconds, beating far more advanced machines.
4. Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
The 911 GT3 Cup is proof that you don't need thousands of horsepower for a good lap. It's more about putting the power down effectively. The car you see here produces 510 hp, yet it beat a 2,000-hp EV. The 4.0-liter flat-six is paired with a six-speed sequential dog-type transmission with paddle shifts. As the body clearly shows, significant aero changes, a wider track, and a built-in roll cage contribute to a beautifully coherent package that allowed this production car-based racer to set a time of 47.40 seconds – almost two seconds quicker than the Nevera and not far behind a bona fide Formula 1 car.
3. McLaren-Cosworth M26
The McLaren-Cosworth M26 is a 1,290-lb racer with a naturally aspirated 2.9-liter V8 introduced in the 1977 Formula 1 season. It was one of McLaren's less successful racers, only scoring three wins, despite a top speed of 192 mph. It frustrated James Hunt so much that he left McLaren to join Walter Wolf Racing – despite having won the World Championship with the Woking-based outfit the year prior. Hunt retired a year later, but the car he campaigned continues to draw smiles wherever it goes.
The McLaren M26 climbed the driveway in 46.89 seconds, and seeing how gnarly these old racers were, that's mighty impressive.
2. Subaru GL Family Huckster
The Subaru GL Family Huckster was built so Travis Pastrana could kill tires and eventually film a new series of Gymkhana videos. That means it needs to have lots of power, and it does. Pastrana's family car is equipped with a turbocharged Boxer four-cylinder that produces 862 hp, sent to an all-wheel-drive system via a six-speed sequential 'box. Active aero includes several opening body panels and a functional carbon fiber roof rack that helps direct air toward the Boxer's rear-mounted radiator.
Despite not being built to decimate lap times, the Family Huckster completed the run in 46.38 seconds. Not bad for a family car.
1. McLaren Solus GT
Despite Pastrana's best efforts, the Brits won on home ground. The McLaren Solus GT was crowned King of The Hill with a time of 45.34 seconds. It's good enough to claim victory this year and get the Solus on the list of the 10 fastest Goodwood runs ever, thanks to just one seat, a 5.2-liter V10 that revs to north of 10,000 rpm, and a top speed of over 200 mph. Just 25 will ever be built, so it was important not to bin it in one of the few running Solus GTs there are. Thankfully, Marvin Kirchofer is no slouch and did McLaren proud.
What will take the top spot next year? If we had to guess, EVs will be back in force to show what they can do.
Keyword: Top 10 Fastest Cars At 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed