Supercar Sunday at the Goodwood Breakfast Club

For me Supercar Sunday at the Goodwood Breakfast Club marks the beginning of the Summer car season. And what a start it proved to be this year.

There is always something to relish about the opportunity to have a blast through the Sussex countryside with the knowledge that some of the finest machinery in the country awaits alongside an equally good bacon and egg bap. So despite the early start with the sun already rising I hit the start button in the M3 and headed for the Motor Racing Circuit.

Unlike previous years there was little in the way of interesting vehicles on the trip down, so much so that I wondered if I had got the day right. However just beyond Petworth this question got answered as I came upon a trio of Porsches clearly heading the same way. On arrival it became clear why the roads had been pretty clear – a good slug of people were already parked up and headed into the circuit. And with good reason despite it being 7:20am there was already a full and increasingly busy grid.

And on Supercar Sunday there really is something for every type of petrol head or motoring enthusiast. Whether you like Italian horses, American muscle or German perfection there is more than enough to meet the bill. Walking up the grid it was easy to be distracted with the muscular strength of a Mercedes SLR with its immense 5.4L supercharged V8. Barely 100 yards further on a almost box fresh 458 speciale sat alongside one of my favourites the Alfa 8C.

On the other side of the track one of a multitude of Lamborghini Aventadors sat next to somewhat rarer a Jaguar XJ220 gleaming in the sunlight. From one Supercar which is now 20 years old to one which is barely launched, the stunning follow up to the MP4-12C, the McLaren 650S. Having been underwhelmed by the first launch from the Woking based company the successor looks and sounds immensely different. From the P1 inspired front end to the brilliant gull-wing doors it looks every bit like a true supercar for the generation.

Walking round the garages and there is still no shortage of interesting automotive weaponry whether its a gleaming red Carrera RS, to Ferrari 328 and 365 GTB models and the more recent Mercedes SLS

Back on the grid and even more exotica had arrived. Its hard to succinctly describe all of the different manufacturers and vehicles that were represented. In that context there were several things that caught my eye. I’m not a huge fan of Pagani – finding their style slightly too far on the quirky side for my taste – but do recognise the Zonda as a special car definitely worth its place at the meeting. Within a small number of paces of the Zonda another distinctly special car, the Ferrari Enzo, this time one of an even smaller number made available in black. With the engine cover lifted it was possible to look in detail at the 6.0 V12 mounted in the rear.

Next door the slightly less illustrious but equally powerful Koenigsegg CCX packing in excess of 8oo bhp from a 4.7L v8. While admiring these another F40 rolled down the grid reminding me of the incredible nature of events like this. Strolling on the car park behind the grid also was packed to the gills with vehicles to gaze over and contained a regular favourite – the Ferrari 599 baring the ‘599’ silver/ black plate which I had enjoyed following back along the M23 barely 10 days previously. Also featuring in the ‘car park’ a 458 carrying a noticeable SP13 DER registration and a yellow/ black speciale version of the same model – a properly awesome beast.

Having spent a thoroughly enjoyable couple of hours in the grounds of the Motor Circuit it was time to start to head back. But true to form on my way out there were a few other things to turn my attention to – not least the two McLaren F1 GTR present, one the 10R test car and the other the Lark car M1 GTR. Both pieces of automotive history.

I was also thoroughly taken by the plethora of Porsche GT3 RS represented during the morning. Its clear that these remain a popular option amongst those looking for track day thrills.

So with the sound and vision of super cars resonating in my memory I took took the return back through the Sussex countryside. This time much to my enjoyment in the company of a couple of the morning’s stars – firstly a Jaguar XJ220 and secondly a Lamborghini Aventador which was keen to exhibit glimpses of its supercar pedigree on the carriageways back to the motorway south. As always a thoroughly enjoyable Sunday morning and one to wet the appetite for the rest of season’s events. With the next Breakfast Club on 1st June the events come thick and fast.