The Earl of March payed a moving tribute to the late Barry Sheene during the launch of this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed.

He said the event would not be the same without the former world motorcycling champion, who died last week.

Afterwards the Earl announced a new award, the Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy, for a motorcycle race at the Goodwood Revival Meeting in September.

The Festival of Speed offers a close-up view of top Formula One teams. Six have already confirmed their attendance on July 10, 11 and 12.

Held at the Earl's estate near Chichester, drivers will include Oliver Panis, Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button, Juan Pablo Montoya and David Coulthard.

Among famous faces in the paddock will be Murray Walker, Martin Brundle and Frank Williams.

Goodwood hillclimb record holder Nick Heidfeld will drive his McLaren-Mercedes MP4. He hopes to better the time he set in 1999.

Challenging him will be Rod Millen, who set the fastest time last year in his 800bhp Toyota Celica.

July's event will have the theme The First Decade.

The Earl of March said: "It's going to be a mind-blowing year."