With the 2009 Festival of Speed now just days away (3-5 July), excitement is growing as Goodwood puts the finishing touches to what promises to be the largest motoring extravaganza in the world this year.

Part of Goodwood’s celebrations includes a tribute to one of the stalwarts of  Formula One racing – Sir Frank Williams – who marks 40 years involvement in Grand Prix racing this
year.

Throughout the Festival weekend a number of significant Williams Grand Prix cars and ex-team drivers will be present, culminating on Sunday 5th with a gathering of all of the cars and drivers in the Goodwood F1 Paddock Assembly Area as tribute to Frank.

Formula One favourite Murray Walker will say a few words about Frank’s remarkable career in motor sport with the main man present. Also in attendance will be a number of former Williams team drivers, including Damon Hill, Alan Jones, David Coulthard and Jacques Laffite.

A gathering of 13 important Williams F1 cars will be at the Festival, ranging from the 1970 De Tomaso-Cosworth Tipo 505, right through to the recent Williams-Toyota FW29. The 1980 F1 World Championship-winning Williams-Cosworth FW08 of Alan Jones and Damon Hill’s successful 1996 Williams-Renault FW18 will also be present and can be seen in action on the challenging 1.16-mile Goodwood hill climb over the Festival weekend.

Commenting on his visit to Goodwood, Sir Frank Williams said, “It will be great for me, and for all of the people that have been a part of Williams, or supported the team over the years, to be there to see a broad selection of our cars, past and present.”

AT&T Williams race driver Nico Rosberg, who drove at the 2008 Festival for the team, added, “The Festival of Speed is a very special event for us. It has a great atmosphere and I really encourage people to go along and witness one of the greatest motor sport spectacles of the year!