The Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard is excited to announce big changes to the Goodwood Actions Sports (GAS) arena, including a new location and layout, more live shows featuring top BMX, Mountain Biking, Trials and Freestyle Motocross riders, as well as a new E-Sports zone.
For 2019, GAS has moved to north of the cricket pitch to create more space for a refreshed layout and bigger live shows. Riders will be challenged in new ways with a completely different course that utilises shipping containers, sculpted dirt, modular structures and ramps. The audience will be able to immerse themselves into the World Class action sports and be within touching distance to of the world’s greatest action sports athletes.
For the first time at the Festival of Speed, GAS will include a brand new GAS E-Sports Zone, where customers will play the latest action sports games within the GAS compound, competing against GAS athletes and friends in the fully interactive zone. Visitors will also be able to enter in to a daily competition and be crowned on the GAS podium in exactly the same way as the athletes.
With the calibre of two wheeled action sports athletes attending GAS this year, the level of riding will be at an all-time high. The new competition format will include FMX Best Trick, BMX Big Air, MTB Best Run, FMX Best Trick and ‘never-been-done-before’ GAS moments – combining the riders’ competitive nature and cheering crowds, delivering new tricks and pushed boundaries.
British freestyle motocross riders Dan Whitby, Samson Eaton and Arran Powley are part of the UK’s Bolddog FMX Team and will return to the Festival of Speed this summer along with Russian Freestyle Motocross rider Alexey Kolesnikov. The BMX line up will feature X Games Medalist Cory ‘Nasty’ Nastazio, TJ Ellis and the UK’s Ben Wallace and Kye Forte.
Joining them will be Flatland BMX rider Lee Musselwhite, as well as top mountain bikers; Matt Jones, Sam Reynolds, Tom Reynolds, Freddy Pulman and Daryl Brown. When asked what his favourite part of the Festival of Speed, Matt Jones said “The best part of FOS is the atmosphere and it’s great to spend time with all the riders and crowds outside of our normal riding environment.”
With bigger and better live shows, GAS has stepped up another gear and will be a fully immersive zone with a packed-out schedule that will entertain fans thought the entire day. The fully choreographed shows will showcase the best in Freestyle Motocross, BMX, Mountain Bike, Trials and Flatland BMX.
As part of the new layout, the arena will feature a new GAS Action Sports Bar – offering refreshments throughout the day; and athlete pit areas, where event-goers will be able to get up close and personal with the bikes and GAS athletes as they prepare for their competitions and shows in the arena.
Those inspired by the GAS arena will have the opportunity to get involved in the action, in an extensive Experience Zone for members of the public to learn and try a number of different bikes. With different tracks, experienced instructors and full kit, the Experience Zone will be perfectly set up for those just looking to have a go or improve their two-wheeled skills. New for 2019 the experiences will be free and pre-bookable on Goodwood.com, closer to the event.
Limited tickets for the Festival of Speed still remain and are can be purchased at Goodwood.com or by calling Customer Sales on 01243 755055.
