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Goodwood is only weeks away and it has just been revealed that the central feature for the first time ever will celebrate a person rather than a marque, that person being Ex F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone. The Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by MasterCard, will celebrate an individual rather than an honoured marque of car manufacturer. The giant sculpture this year on the Goodwood grounds in front of Goodwood house is a joint celebration between Goodwood and the life of Bernie Ecclestone.
 
Bernie has had a pioneering career in the sport of Formula 1, Bernard (Bernie) Charles Ecclestone is one of the most recognised and influential people in British motorsport, with a career spanning over the last 40 years - transforming F1 into a multibillion dollar global phenomenon rather than just a sport - this is not a tribute, but rather a celebration of Goodwood and Festival founder Lord March said "This is not so much a tribute, but rather a Goodwood celebration of a racer who has had such a huge influence on the sport we all love, and it's wonderful that Bernie has agreed to spend the weekend at the Festival with many of the great names with whome he has worked during a life dedicated to racing." Lord March added "I am also delighted that he will bring with him some of his great historic Grand Prix cars from his incredible collection".
 
The towering sculpture at Goodwood house will display cars from five different chapters of Bernie's life - The true legend of motorsport has been a racing team owner, a driver, a manager, and to this day Bernie Ecclestone at heart remains a racer and motorsport fan.
 
Bernie started in motorsport in the 1940's and early 50's in racing cars and motorcycles, entering the Monaco Grand Prix in Connaucht, in 1950. He turned his hand to management of drivers including Stuart Lewis Evans in 1970 and World champion Jochen Rindt. He went onto buy Brabham F1 team in 1971, creating a highly effective partnership with designer Gordon Murray, famed for designing F1 cars and the Mclaren F1. Bernie managed a number of drivers including Carlos Pace, Carlos Reutemann, Niki Lauda and Nelson Piquet who amongst them won over 12 world Championships. Bernie Ecclestone then took control of the F1 constructors Association FOCA, defining the route of F1 for the next three decades and making it the most watched sport in the world, 21 races broadcast with a global TV audience measuring in the hundreds of millions.
 
The great sculpture which will celebrate his life has been sculpted by Gerry Judah and is demonstrated with five ages of Bernie Ecclestone's life in detail:-
 
Driver
 
Manager
 
Team owner
 
Impresario
 
Legend
 
The 5 ages which will cover everything from him driving Racing Mini Coopers during the 40s and 50s to his management then purchase of Brabham F1 team then moving to control of the commercial rights of F1, including the dominance of Michael Schumacher in the early 2000's of F1 and finally the legend, everything Bernie achieved - There is only one 'Bernie' in motorpsort.
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Northern Group of Motoring Writers NGMW

Northern Group Of Motoring Writers

Annabelle Quirk Vice Chairwoman
Ben D T Quirk Member