Currently reading: McLaren P1 to lead Festival of Speed supercar run
A grid of up to 40 supercars will compete on the Goodwood hillclimb in June to set the fastest time at the Festival of Speed

A grid of up to 40 of the newest supercars will have the chance to speed up the hill at June’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in a new timed, ‘shoot-out’ format for road cars.

The ‘Supercar Paddock’ will get the chance to run up the hill individually at competitive speeds in a single, Saturday afternoon slot that will show off their maximum performance and handling to spectators.

‘It will be run to full RAC competition rules, no passengers and a driver in full overalls and helmet, cleared to go for the fastest time up the hill,’ said a Goodwood spokesman.

Which cars will take part has yet to be finalised, although Goodwood is confident that the McLaren P1 will take part, while the Porsche 918 Spyder is a strong possibility.

The Supercar Paddock, usually sponsored by Michelin, has grown in size to number around 40 cars in recent years. Names represented in the past include Bentley, BMW, Bugatti, Ferrari, Infiniti, Koenigsegg, Lotus, Maserati, McLaren, Morgan, Porsche and Spyker.

Although Goodwood has announced that the new 911 GT3 RS will take part, Porsche GB has since denied that will be the case. “The Festival is too early for our launch timing,” a Porsche spokesman said.

As in previous years, supercars will run up the hill twice a day during Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Manufacturers and drivers that wish to go for a time on Saturday afternoon will be given the go-ahead for a flat-out run up the 1.1 mile hill in front of Goodwood House.

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