Mick Doohan to make Goodwood appearance

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is one of the most anticipated motorsports events of the year, for both professional racers and ardent fans. And as the name suggests, it's a festival that celebrates full-throttle extremes.

Home to some of the world's most amazing cars and bikes spanning classic, modern, motor sports and even concept vehicles, the famous British event regularly attracts more than 100,000 visitors daily over its three-day duration.

On top of a who's who of Australian F1 GP talent, including Alan Jones and an in-form Mark Webber, motorcycle alumni including the legendary Mick Doohan will be in attendance riding, driving and possibly even competing in 2009.

The Festival of Speed -- of FoS as it known to aficionados - will be held from July 3-5 and revolves around the legendary 1.86km hill climb, located on the Goodwood estate.

There are various other categories and events during the weekend, including the eye-opening Goodwood Choice for Most Spectacular Motorcycle.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed was started in 1993 by a bloke known as the Earl of March, and encourages a range of vehicles to participate in the various events, including two and four-wheeled machines, both modern and classic.

Five-time 500GP world champion Mick Doohan will be riding a Respol-liveried Honda CBR1000RR, and two-time world superbike champion Troy Corser will also be attendance, where he is expected to compete on his BMW S 1000R race bike.

Other motorcycling greats confirmed for the event include Stanley Woods. The "Irish Dasher", as he was once known, won a score of Isle of Man TT races early last century.

John Surtees, the only person to win both F1 and motorcycle world championships, is also confirmed and will driving a Surtees F2 car and possibly even a classic two-wheeler.

As well as the usual racing of classic, modern, and motor racing machinery, the Goodwood event is also becoming a venue of choice for new model launches.

Other notable participants will include:

Max Biaggi - four-time world 250 GP champion and current world superbike rider
Troy Bayliss - three-time world superbike champion
Peter Fonda - actor (riding a replica of the motorbike he rode in Easy Rider)
David Coulthard - former F1 driver (driving a Red Bull STR1 F1 car)
Stig Blomqvistard - former world rally champion (driving an Audi S1)
Timo Glock - current F1 driver (racing a Toyota TF108 F1 car on the hill)
Lewis Hamilton - reigning F1 world champion (driving Ayrton Senna's McLaren MP4/4)
Alan Jones - former F1 world champion (driving a Williams FW07 F1 car he drove in 1980)
David Brabham - former F1 driver (driving a Cooper T51 his father drove in 1959)
Jackie Stewart - former F1 world champion (driving a Mantra MS10 F1 car)

For more information on the Goodwood Festival of Speed, click here.