On 13th May 2026 Goodwood confirmed that the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard will dedicate its 2026 programme to American motor sport, staging an Americana Celebration presented by Bank of America. The event will run from Thursday July 9 to Sunday July 12, 2026, timed to follow the United States’ 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Organisers plan a wide-ranging showcase that spans racing history, grassroots scenes and cultural touchstones, all brought together around the famous Goodwood hill.
The heart of the tribute will be the Cathedral Paddock, where a specially curated collection of up to fifty cars and bikes will illustrate the depth and variety of American automotive influence. The display and dynamic demonstrations are set to cover everything from open-wheel and prototype racing to heavy V8 stock cars and hillclimb specials. Expect machinery drawn from disciplines such as IndyCar, NASCAR, Can-Am, Trans-Am, IMSA and even historic Formula 1.
Line-up highlights and machinery to watch
Goodwood’s announcements name an eclectic mix of machines: classic single-seaters like the Scarab F1 and Lola Haas THL1B, mighty Can-Am entries such as the McLaren M8F, the fearsome Shadow DN4, and endurance icons including the Shelby Cobra Daytona. One headline moment will be the reunion and hill run of the three Ford GT MkIIs that finished 1-2-3 at Le Mans in 1966; Goodwood says this is the first time in a decade the trio will appear together and that all three are scheduled to run the hillclimb. The programme also promises high-revving, loud V8 NASCAR cars linked to names such as Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon.
Special acts and spectacle
Alongside the historic racers, visitors can expect contemporary showstoppers and stunt-driven acts. Travis Pastrana is confirmed to bring his signature flair in his latest Gymkhana-style car, the Subaru Brataroo, while Can-Am legends from marques including McLaren and Porsche will be displayed. The mix aims to balance parade and performance, giving spectators both static context and the visceral thrill of machines running up the hill.
People who made the sport
Goodwood plans to invite a broad roster of drivers and personalities with strong links to American and international motorsport. Names mentioned include Aaron Shelby, Al Unser Junior, Chris Forsberg, Colin Edwards, Dario Franchitti, Derek Hill, Emerson Fittipaldi, Freddie Spencer, Kenny Roberts, Kenny Roberts Jr, Kevin Schwantz, Ryan Tuerck, Scott Speed and Travis Pastrana. Several guests will represent notable family names and legacies—Aaron Shelby, for example, will stand for the Shelby lineage—bringing personal stories as well as on-track demonstrations. These appearances are intended to connect machines to the people who campaigned, tuned and popularised them.
Historic milestones on the programme
The Americana Celebration will also mark several anniversaries from across US motorsport: 110 years since both the Indianapolis 500 and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, 60 years of Can-Am and Trans-Am, 75 years since the formation of the National Hot Rod Association, and 20 years since Jimmie Johnson’s first NASCAR Cup Series title. Outside pure racing, the festival will nod to the centenary of Route 66, recognising its cultural role in American motoring history.
Practical details and what to expect on the day
The organisers stress that tickets are limited: Goodwood reported that Friday, Saturday and four-day passes are now sold out and that Thursday tickets are selling fast. The festival’s format will combine static displays in the Cathedral Paddock with timed runs up the hill and special demonstrations around the estate. Goodwood has previously used Cathedral Paddock for themed exhibitions, and the space will serve as the focal point for the Americana narrative throughout the weekend.
Further additions to the Festival of Speed line-up will be published in the weeks ahead, so enthusiasts are advised to watch Goodwood’s official channels for updates. The programme is designed to be both a celebration of landmark cars and anniversaries and a living, noisy demonstration of why American motorsport remains a powerful influence on global car culture.