The Goodwood Festival of Speed is one of the highlights of each calendar year for the car-obsessed. Its 2019 event has today been given its theme, ‘Speed Kings – Motorsport’s Record Breakers’.

It intends to celebrate the people, cars and teams that have made history and set the records for others to chase in whatever form of motorsport they happen to compete in: most wins, fastest laps, land speed records…

Conveniently, 2019 also marks the 20th anniversary of the current Goodwood hillclimb record, set by Nick Heidfeld in a McLaren MP4/13 Formula 1 car. We’re hoping that the drivers and manufacturers will be going all out to complete the 1.16-mile course in less than the German’s time of 41.6 seconds – especially as the electric Volkswagen ID R Pikes Peak car came so close last time out, proving it’s not impossible.

“The team are working hard to ensure the paddocks are bursting with the most talented drivers and riders alongside the most iconic road and race machines in the world,” said Goodwood’s Will Kinsman.

“They are also delving into the more obscure corners of the motorsport world to ensure the Festival of Speed maintains and enhances its reputation as the greatest motorsport show on earth.”

Expect to see a seriously competitive field on that narrow climb up the driveway, then. The 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed will be held on July 4 to 7. Roll on the summer.