2025 RAC TT Celebration preview | Goodwood Revival

What is the RAC TT?

The Goodwood Motor Circuit originally hosted the RAC Tourist Trophy from 1958 to 1964, when it was primarily a round of the World Sportscar Championship, but also a part of the FIA GT Cup in 1960 and ’61.

The first running on the Motor Circuit was won by Stirling Moss and Tony Brooks, who headed home a formation one-two-three finish for the works Aston Martin DBR1s. Roy Salvadori and Jack Brabham shared the second car, with Carroll Shelby and Stuart Lewis-Evans third. The likes of Graham Hill, Bruce McLaren and Innes Ireland were also present at Goodwood’s first Tourist Trophy race.

Moss won again with Aston Martin the following year and made it four RAC TT wins in a row when he claimed victories in both 1960 and ’61 driving Ferrari 250 GT SWBs.

Ferrari dominated the remaining TTs held at Goodwood, first with Ireland in 1962 at the wheel of a 250 GTO, before Graham Hill took over the mantle with victories in 1963 and ’64. The RAC TT continued to be awarded to the winners of various races around the country in the following decades, most recently as a prize for the winner of the 4 Hours of Silverstone, a round of the 2019 World Endurance Championship.

What is the RAC TT Celebration?

The Goodwood Revival’s recreation of the RAC TT brings together a grid of cars most closely resembling that of the closed-cockpit GT class in the 1964 running that formed part of the World Sportscar Championship. Big V8-engined AC Cobras and V12 Jaguar E-types make up much of the field, mixing it with TVR Griffiths, Porsche 904s and more.

It’s a two-driver, one-hour race that takes its place as the blue riband event of the Revival, but also historic racing worldwide. The grid regularly tops £30million in value, which also makes it one of the most valuable races on the planet.

Not only are the cars among the most spectacular racing machinery in the world, but the list of drivers behind the wheel is also filled with legends. The RAC TT Celebration has been held every year since the inaugural Revival back in 1998, and now itself holds a substantial history, with a roll of honour that includes names like Emanuele Pirro, Tom Kristensen, Giedo van der Garde, Gordon Shedden, Andre Lotterer, Andy Priaulx and Tom Ingram.

Which drivers are racing in the 2025 RAC TT Celebration?

So far, we know that Jenson Button has invested a great deal in this year’s running of the RAC TT Celebration. He’s brought a new car, the ‘Cut 8’ Jaguar E-type, specifically to try and win this hugely important race.

He’ll be joined in the field by fellow Formula 1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve, who himself will be making his competitive debut at the Goodwood Revival driving the savage ‘Hairy Canary’ AC Cobra.

Another driver making their Revival debut is 2013 Indy 500 winner and 2004 IndyCar Series Champion Tony Kanaan, who will be racing aboard a 1961 Jaguar E-type 'semi-lightweight' that was originally raced by Bruce McLaren.

When is the 2025 RAC TT Celebration?

The cars of the RAC TT Celebration will emerge from the Assembly Area for their first Official Practice session at 16:15 on Friday afternoon. The 25-minute session will be the first opportunity for the drivers to get to grips with their cars on race weekend.

They return on Saturday morning at 10:10 for second Official Practice, where the grid for the race will be confirmed. Each car’s fastest lap across both sessions will be counted as their qualifying time.

Sunday is race day, and the entire Revival will take a pause as we enjoy the build up to the weekend’s biggest spectacle. The cars will leave the Assembly Area at 14:05 and form up on the grid for a GRRC grid walk. The flag will wave to begin the one-hour race and set window frames a-shaking at 14:30. We’ll find out the winner of the 2025 RAC TT Celebration when the chequered flag flies at 15:30.

Previous winners of the RAC TT Celebration 

Tickets for the Goodwood Revival are limited! Saturday tickets have sold out, so secure your Friday and Sunday tickets to avoid missing out on the world's best historic motorsport event.

Photography by Jordan Butters and James Lynch.