Goodwood drive-in gala

Astronaut Tim Peake and Rush producer among the guests at Goodwood and Secret Cinema gala launch

Astronaut Tim Peake and the producer of Rush were among the guests at the gala launch of Goodwood and Secret Cinema’s venture The Drive-in.

There could be no better film than Rush to launch an American-style drivein movie experience which is located on the edge of Goodwood’s legendary motor racing circuit.

Rush tells the titanic battle between racing giants James Hunt and Niki Lauda for the Formula 1 world title in 1976. It’s a deeply personal as well as professional rivalry.

Goodwood – famous for its retro Revival motor racing – was pitch perfect to transport us back to that historic encounter.

In a year when Covid-19 restrictions have forced a year-long postponement of boththefestival of Speedand

Revival, the estate has once again shown its ingenuity to ‘bring people together’ – as the Duke of Richmond rightly proclaimed.

With a forensic eye to safety and enjoyment, the audience is cocooned in their own personal bubble, their car – but this is very much a shared experience.

The season, presented by Secret Cinema and Goodwood, opened on the first night with an interactive session with Frankie and Johnny Starlight designed to get everyone in the mood – transmitting their in-car celebratory moments via Zoom on to the silver screen.

You could order food and drinks – inspired by the American diner – on your phone and they were brought direct to your car. Goodwood burgers topped the menu with the meals realistically priced.

The first night raised cash for the two charities Medicinema and the Sussex Community Foundation’s work to help those impacted by the current virus.

Audiences dressed up ‘to impress’ and give a little extra sparkle to a grey Saturday evening.

But there was no rain and the view to the giant screen was uninterrupted. The sound – each car is loaned its own speaker system – was first class.

A great innovation. Let’s hope there’s a real Rush for tickets and this concept becomes embedded in the Goodwood calendar long after the current pandemic has itself faded into history.

Tim Peake and his wife Rebecca before the film. For film times and to book, visit Goodwood.com

The event featured speeches from the Duke (pictured with the Duchess) and Secret Cinema Ceomaxalexander

Film and television stuntman Niki Faulkner (right) with his guest