Thousands of motorsport fans are expected at this weekend's 2003 Festival of Speed at Goodwood, near Chichester.

About 200 vehicles and seven Formula One teams will be at the three-day event, which started today.

About 140,000 people are expected to visit the Earl of March's estate.

One of the highlights is 30 racing cars from the Fifties, Sixties, and Seventies which have been shipped over from the United States.

They include the Chaparral, which will go on display in a Texan museum later this year.

Famous names at the event include Giacomo Agostini, Mick Doohan, Sir Jack Brabham and David Coulthard. Former hill-climb champions David Good, Peter Westbury, Joy Rainey and Tony Marsh will also attend the festival.

Visitors can watch the Goodwood hill-climb tackled by drag-racing hero Bob Riggle, who returns in the Plymouth Barracuda Hurst Hemi Under Glass.

Mick Grant rides the Yamaha OW 48R in tribute to the late Barry Sheene.

Historic car fans can see a 1934 Alfa Romeo Tipo B (P3), 1939 BMW 328 Mille Miglia coupe, and 1971 Porsche 917/10.

The Red Arrows were due to perform air acrobatics today.

Tickets cost £18 for today, £24 for tomorrow and £32 in advance for Sunday. For information, call 01243 755000.