At the world-renowned Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard, The Duke of Richmond and Gordon announced a landmark development for automotive enthusiasts across the United States: the launch of the Goodwood Road Racing Club of America, marking Goodwood’s first major expansion into the U.S. market.
Announced at Festival of Speed, during a celebration of American motorsport and car culture, the move marks the beginning of a new era for Goodwood, home of the Dukes of Richmond for over 300 years.
Founded nearly 30 years ago, the Goodwood Road Racing Club is the heart of Goodwood’s motorsport community in the UK, offering members access to events, experiences and a shared passion for all things automotive. The California launch now brings that model to a wider audience, heralding the start of Goodwood’s rollout across the United States and the arrival of a new force in American car culture.
As part of its strategic planning process, Goodwood engaged Northwood University, widely recognized as America’s Automotive University, to provide independent analysis and guidance on its U.S. expansion strategy. To assist the project, Northwood University President Kent MacDonald assembled a team of experienced professors, administrators, and distinguished alumni with deep expertise across the automotive sector to evaluate and strengthen every aspect of Goodwood’s American market-entry plans.
Northwood University was uniquely positioned to support this initiative due to its longstanding leadership within the automotive industry. For more than six decades, the university has been closely connected to the sector, producing graduates who now hold leadership positions throughout the automotive world. Northwood is also home to the nation’s largest student-run outdoor new car show, the Northwood University International Auto Show, which annually attracts enthusiasts, industry professionals, and consumers to its 400-acre campus.
President MacDonald said it is a genuine honor to work with Goodwood on its entry into the United States.
“When I met with His Grace in London in mid-May and he shared his vision for bringing the Goodwood Road Racing Club to America, I immediately recognized that Northwood possessed the expertise, industry relationships, and consumer insights required to help validate and strengthen the plan,” President MacDonald added. “Our team was proud to contribute to such an exciting project, and we look forward to seeing the Goodwood experience thrive across the United States.”
“Launching the Goodwood Road Racing Club in America is a monumental undertaking,” explained the Duke of Richmond and Gordon. “We needed an organisation with a comprehensive understanding of the American automotive landscape, from industry dynamics to consumer sentiment. Northwood University has been exceptional, and we are grateful for both the quality of its insights and the speed with which its team conducted a thorough analysis of our plans. Their contribution has been invaluable as we prepare to bring the Goodwood experience to a new audience.”
