- Goodwood honours Audi
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- Gallery: What's hot at Goodwood

The Goodwood Festival of Speed has just kicked off and 2009 promises to be a classic with a stunning array of vehicles and famous names gracing the event.

The annual celebration of motorsport takes place this weekend (3-5 July) and is an all-ticket affair only, so if you haven't already got yours, you'll need to get your skates on.

What's hot at Goodwood

What's hot at Goodwood

So, what's all the fuss about? Well, since 1993, the Earl of March has allowed thousands of race fans to tramp over his front lawn whilst taking in the sights and sounds of motorsport history. Now one of the biggest celebrations of motorsport in the world, Goodwood has soemtimes been described as 'Glastonbury for petrolheads'.

This year, those petrolheads are in for some real treats. Here are a few reasons to hit the Sussex countryside.

1. Formula One: No less than six of today's F1 teams will be at the Festival of Speed including the reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton and the current 2009 championship leader, Jenson Button. Red Bull's Mark Webber and Toyota's Timo Glock will also be there as well as famous names from the past, including Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jackie Stewart, Eddie Irvine, David Coulthard and Damon Hill, who will all be tackling the challenging 1.16-mile hillclimb course.

2. Forest rally stage: If you're more into the muddy sport of rallying, then you're best tramping up the hill into the forest stage that was designed by former world champion Hannu Mikkola. He will be driving the stage while another former world rally champion, Walter Rohrl, will make his Goodwood debut. Other WRC heroes to watch out for include reigning world champion Sebastien Loeb, Bjorn Waldegaard, Stig Blomqvist and double British rally champion, Guy Wilks.

3. Anniversaries: Celebrations always play a big part of the Festival and this year is no different. The central focus is on the centenary of Audi, who are bringing a number of memorable cars along, from the Auto Union Type D to the 2008 Le Mans-winning, R10 TDi. Others to watch out for include 50 years of the MINI and another couple of centurions - Bugatti and Morgan.

4. Cartier 'Style et Luxe': This prestigious annual homage to the finest in automotive design includes many of the most beautiful and extraordinary cars such as a class of coach-built Bugatti Type 57s, a 1938 Hispano-Suiza H6C Xenia and the only surviving Peugeot 601 Eclipse as well as bespoke Rolls Royces, special Minis and early cyclecars. Expect to see some ultra-rare exotic roadsters from the late 1960s, plus some crazy 1970s wedged concept cars, including the one off Aston Martin Bulldog, Alfa Romeo Carabo and wild Vauxhall SRV.

5. Motorcycles: A who's who of riders and bikes will be at Goodwood including Troy Corser, Mick Doohan, Max Biaggi and Phil Read. Highlights include no less than five current works World Superbike and World Supersport teams, including BMW Motorrad Motorsport, Kawasaki World Superbike RT, Suzuki Alstare Brux, Aprilia Racing and Ten Kate Honda. Hollywood legend Peter Fonda will ride up the Goodwood hill on an exact replica of the famous custom chopper that he rode 40 years ago in the 1969 movie Easy Rider.

6. The Sunday Times Supercar Run: A multi-million pound collection of the world's most desirable contemporary exotica will be demonstrated on the hill. Watch out for UK debuts of the stunning Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport, Tramontana and Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss being put though their paces, plus the first UK sighting of the new Audi R8 V10, Ferrari California and GTbyCitroen concept in action.