GOODWOOD - The ultimate motoring event of the year is open, with lots of brand new metal, its the year to go !

The hundreds of exceptional competition cars and motorcycles are positioned in their paddocks, the motor racing stars are arriving, the supercars are being polished and the rally cars are earning their first mud splatters up at the Forest Rally Stage, all ahead of the 24th edition of the sell-out Goodwood Festival of Speed opening its gates at 7 am on Friday 24 June to thousands of excited enthusiasts.

Despite the recent rain, the weather forecast is currently promising a dry and sunny outlook for all three days of the 2016 Festival of Speed, which this weekend will be celebrating the theme of ‘Full Throttle – The Endless Pursuit of Power.’ This 2016 theme offers Goodwood an outstanding opportunity to showcase many of the fastest and most powerful machines ever conceived, illustrating motorsport’s continual quest for power.

As always, this weekend’s Festival of Speed has something for everyone, from a huge roll call of the very top drivers and riders, including current F1 stars, plus Grand Prix cars, seven current Formula 1 teams, rally champions, endurance racing legends, NASCAR, Indy, BTCC, WRC, WTCC, supercars, competition bikes, GAS extreme action sports, off-road buggies, the peace and tranquillity of the Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ concours lawn, and much much more besides.

In addition, Festival of Speed spectators will be able to marvel at the impressive and imposing ‘Central Feature’ installation, celebrating one hundred years since the founding of the important BMW brand this year.

Ahead of all of this though, the Goodwood Moving Motor Show kicks off the annual motoring excitement today (Thursday 23 June), with hundreds of the very latest new passenger car models – many making their UK or world debuts – being driven up the celebrated Goodwood Hill.

All in all, it promises to be an exciting the memorable weekend!

GOODWOOD - Skoda expands displays with addition of CitiJet Concept.

• CitiJet concept to make UK debut at the ŠKODA Pavilion
• Yeti Xtreme and VisionC concept cars already confirmed
• ŠKODA introduces new online sales facility for its cycle range
• Forest Rally Stage supported by ŠKODA set to wow Festival-goers

ŠKODA has confirmed that its innovative CitiJet concept car will make its first UK appearance at this weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed (26-29 June). The cheeky convertible is based on the brand’s award-winning Citigo, and will appear alongside the Yeti Xtreme and VisionC concept cars during Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 June.

Designed and built by 16 ŠKODA apprentices based at the firm’s headquarters in Mladá Boleslav, the CitiJet was created under the guidance of Jozef Kaban, Head of ŠKODA Design, who challenged the team to build their dream car. The end result is a striking cabriolet that combines a host of innovations and unique design features.

The exterior features distinctive two-tone metallic paintwork, 16-inch wheels and a hand-crafted rear spoiler to emphasise the car’s sporting image. Inside, the CitiJet is fitted out with a red-stitched, leather-trimmed steering wheel, bespoke seat trim and a dashboard panel finished in white and red. Completing the interior package is a 300 watt sound system and music-reactive LED lighting.

The CitiJet concept will form part of ŠKODA’s pavilion display, which for 2014 takes on a two-wheeled theme. The all-new stand explores and celebrates the brand’s cycling heritage, with a host of interactive displays and activities designed to engage visitors of all ages. These include a remarkable ‘Ride the ŠKODA Summit’ attraction that allows brave visitors to ride a ŠKODA bike up a special course constructed at the back of the pavilion. Other interactive features include a virtual Tour de France-style stage, and regular displays from a cycle stunt team.

The Pavilion will also showcase ŠKODA’s growing range of cycles, which from 26 June can be ordered via the main ŠKODA consumer website. The current range of cycles includes kids bikes, mountain bikes and road bikes with prices starting from £270*. Naturally, every bike in the range can be stored and carried safely in ŠKODA’s car range thanks to an extensive range of cycling-related accessories.

As in previous years, ŠKODA will be the main attraction at the Forest Rally Stage. The brand’s legendary Fabia S2000 – the most successful rally car of the Super 2000 era – will be demonstrating its remarkable talents on the ŠKODA-supported 1.7-mile Forest Rally Stage.

This year, British star and ŠKODA retailer Neil Simpson will be serving up the sideways action, with multiple daily runs through the stage. With vast experience in the world of rallying, Neil is currently campaigning his Simpsons Fabia S2000 on selected European Rally Championship rounds, and has already recorded a number of impressive results in 2014.