Goodwood Road Racing Club Launches in California for 2027
Goodwood announces the international expansion of the Goodwood Road Racing Club (GRRC), marking its first venture into the United States. The launch begins with a California-based membership offering in 2027.
Goodwood announced the news at the Festival of Speed, during a celebration of American motorsport and car culture. The move marks the start of a new era for Goodwood, bringing its distinctive approach to car culture to the United States for the first time.
Goodwood founded the GRRC nearly 30 years ago, and it now sits at the heart of Goodwood's motorsport community in the UK, giving members access to events, experiences and a shared passion for all things automotive. The California launch brings that model to a wider audience and marks the start of Goodwood's rollout across the United States, introducing a new force in American car culture.
The Goodwood Road Racing Club of America will set a new standard for automotive membership, offering unparalleled access and a programme focused on participation. It brings members closer to the cars, drivers and defining moments of motorsport than ever before. Designed with the American enthusiast in mind, the club focuses on getting behind the wheel, offering a comprehensive year-round calendar of events and experiences across California and Nevada, including track days, driving tours, private visits and curated social gatherings. The club will host its first event at Willow Springs in 2028.
At its core, the club celebrates the personal connection between people and their cars. It welcomes all tastes, without the constraints of marque or category, and fosters a genuine sense of belonging. Each year, the club will host a flagship event in California, inspired by US motorsport and car culture and delivered with the charm, wit and style for which Goodwood is renowned. The event places members and their cars at the very heart of the action. Combined with reciprocal access to Goodwood's UK events, the GRRC of America establishes a defining standard for what a car club can be.
Goodwood's connection with the United States stretches back more than two centuries. The 3rd Duke of Richmond, known as the 'Radical Duke', staunchly supported American Independence and worked closely with Thomas Paine to further the cause.
This year, as the United States marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, Goodwood celebrates its shared heritage. From the golden age of motor racing, when many of America's greatest drivers competed at Goodwood, to the present day, where American cars, drivers and fans play a central role in its headline events, the transatlantic connection remains strong. With a significant US audience, a growing base of GRRC members, and thousands of visitors travelling from across the Atlantic each year, this exciting new venture brings two deeply connected automotive cultures closer than ever before.
Three founding patrons will support the US club: Sir Jackie Stewart, Mario Andretti and Richard Petty. Each is a towering figure in global motorsport with longstanding ties to Goodwood, and each embodies the international spirit of the GRRC.
The Duke of Richmond CBE DL said: "I am delighted to be launching the Goodwood Road Racing Club of America. For almost 30 years, the GRRC has been at the heart of everything we do at Goodwood - a wonderfully diverse community brought together by a shared passion for cars and motorsport of every genre. Bringing that spirit to the United States is not only a defining moment for us, but one we believe will resonate across the wider car culture world. With California as our starting point, we aim to create something genuinely new - a club built around unrivalled access, extraordinary experiences and a sense of belonging unlike anything else currently available to enthusiasts in America. Announcing it at Festival of Speed, as we celebrate American motorsport and 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, makes this moment even more meaningful."
Mario Andretti, Formula 1 World Champion, Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500 winner, said: "Goodwood has always been a special place for drivers and fans alike - somewhere that truly understands the spirit of motorsport. I've had some wonderful experiences here over the years, so to be part of bringing the Goodwood Road Racing Club to the United States is incredibly exciting. America has an extraordinary passion for cars and racing, and if you're a true motoring or motorsport enthusiast, this is going to be the club to be part of. It's an honour to be involved at the start of something so special."
Goodwood will announce further details about the Goodwood Road Racing Club of America, based in California, including membership benefits and the full event calendar, in due course. Customers can register their interest now at grrcamerica.com.