Just one Bugatti...give it to me...

If I had a mansion house surrounded by acres of the finest of England's green and pleasant land I think I would invite to the grounds a few hundred people with fantastic cars and motorcycles to race up my driveway. And I'd even open it up to the public to come along and see for themselves this bevvy of automotive beauty.

This 250 Ferrari GTO is valued at 7 million pounds!

That's exactly what Charles March, the current Earl of March has done every single year since 1993. His house is Goodwood House, synonymous with motor racing since 1936 when a private hill climb was staged through the park by the 9th Duke of Richmond who then opened the infamous Goodwood Motor Circuit in 1948. Racing continued at Goodwood well into the 1960s only halting because of the increasing burdens of safety. The Festival of Speed and it's sister event the Goodwood Revival are a must for anyone who adores the sound of an engine, the smells of wax polish, oil and fuel.

Couple of gorgeous Italian 'disco' dollies

I attended my first Festival of Speed last year. I was like a blind man being given back his sight, it was heaven. I saw cars that I had only ever read about and never thought I would ever see in my lifetime. From the most modern of Le Mans racers and F1 cars to the Bugattis of the 1930s, each and every one is paraded before you, like a motoring sushi bar and you're completely spoiled for choice. The Festival of Speed is much more than a mere hill climb, it is the biggest and most diverse celebration of the history of motor sport in it's various forms. Maddened crazed wildebeeste couldn't prevent me from going back this year.

Magnificent Mercedes

How clean is your engine?

You wouldn't see this in Sainsbury's car park

However wonderful it is to see these vehicles in action with the vast array of well known personalities behind the wheel. Far and beyond this and what makes the Festival of Speed the best motoring event in the country for me is the fact that you can get unrestricted access to get up close to the cars and see them for yourself. This year I spent a good 15 minutes with my head in various orifices of the Bugatti T35, one of my all time favourite vehicles, something that I never thought I'd have the opportunity to do. I now have an ambitious daydream to take a T35 up the hill at the Festival of Speed, so Nick Mason if you ever find yourself reading this; I really like your Bugatti and I'd look after her.

Just one Bugatti, give it to me....

There is only thing I would change about the Fesitval next year and that is to ensure I go for the weekend instead of just one day, oh and remember to take my picnic out of the boot of the car!

Penelope Pit Stop's car attracted lots of little girls...