Others felt the day also needed a dedicated marine trade area, so Peters has organised an exclusive BMF dedicated bar and restaurant facility.

Last year's Platinum Package was the top price deal that gave the sponsor a named televised race and hospitality for 40 at a cost £19,000. The equivalent deal this year for the two major televised races will cost the sponsoring companies £10,000 each, with full hospitality for 20.

Take one of the two supporting televised races for £5,000 and you'll get the race name and hospitality for 10 people.

The remaining three nontelevised races can be named and obtained with hospitality for 10 people for £3,500, while the non-race naming packages cost £2,500 with a table for 10 in the Charlton Hunt or Double Rigger restaurants. Additional tables can be booked in units of 10 in connection with any of the packages at £750.00. VAT will be added to all these prices.

All entertainment packages include programme and CCTV advertising. All race sponsorship packages include banners on the course and presentations to the winning owner in the Winners Enclosure after the race, the option to present a Best Turned Out Horse award to stable lad/lass, press releases/photo stories, a race day photographer to take presentation shots and escorted visits to the Parade Ring.

3,000 free tickets Peters has also persuaded Goodwood to include in the deal 3,000 free Richmond Enclosure tickets - worth £35 a pair - which will go to BMF regional associations and member companies. Goodwood will also make a donation to charity.

Additional incentives for race sponsors include two Goodwood annual metal badges for the 21-day racing season, including the first day's motor racing at the Revival Meeting and the Festival of Speed Hill Climb.

"The normal hospitality day rate for the Goodwood season is £275 a head, " said Peters, "so this part of the package alone is worth £1000 plus."

In addition, race sponsors will be invited to attend a private dinner - as guests of Goodwood - at Goodwood House the night before the race day.

"We need 27 sponsoring companies to make it work, " said Peters, "and we've already got Sunseeker, Avon, Peters, Fairline, De Novo, Raymarine, Halyard, Opal, Saltwater Communications, Volvo, IPC, Caterpillar (Finning) and the Bank of Scotland."

But make no mistake - this is not a dedicated marine trade event. Some companies will take the opportunity to "thank their clients" as they did last year, so prepare to be part of a day out that includes the odd well-heeled Sunseeker or Fairline owner.

Speaking at the BMF South AGM and Gala Dinner in December, Peters told BB every race now has a sponsor but there are a number of tables available at the £2,500 plus VAT rate.

"It's looking extremely good, " he said. "We took note of all the comments passed to us after last year's first event and we've acted positively to make it a day out the whole industry will enjoy."

In addition to the marine industry, Goodwood expects a total crowd of some 8000 plus on the day.

To make a booking contact Marie Grufferty or Pippa Hutchings at Peters plc on 01243 511 381. Goodwood will be dealing direct with confirmed bookings from Peters and the contact at Goodwood is Karen Lock on 01243 755 000 or direct dial 01243 755 102.

A mailshot outlining the day and the opportunities will be sent to BMF member companies after the Schroders London International Boat Show in connection with TheDaily Telegraph in January.