Video: Jenson Button’s mission to win the RAC TT Celebration

18th November 2025

Russell Campbell

Jenson Button didn’t race at Goodwood Revival until 2021, but he’s been making up for lost time ever since, even buying two cars specifically to compete. His Jaguar C-Type fit for the Freddie March Memorial Trophy is a gorgeous thing, but today we’re poring over his E-Type FHC as he preps for the RAC TT Celebration.

Button’s lining up for this year’s race, but the car’s story stretches far further back. Dick Protheroe — a Bomber Command veteran and test pilot for the Victor and Valiant jets — spent the 1960s racing Jaguars with some enthusiasm. He owned four competition e-Types, including a low-drag coupé and the very first FHC ever built. All wore his distinctive French-blue and grey colours and the now-iconic ‘CUT 7’ plate.

When Protheroe died in 1966, crashing a Ferrari 330P at Oulton Park, his wife Rosemary — a racer herself — honoured him in the most fitting way she knew: by building a ‘CUT 8’ E-Type in his memory. She raced it for two seasons and the car continued in historic events after it was sold. A 1990s restoration gave it fresh paint and a new Sigma-built engine.

Goodwood Revival

2026 Goodwood Revival race list

The 2025 Revival earlier marked the car’s first appearance at Goodwood since 2016, and it arrived in rude health after being gone over with a fine-tooth comb.

Button shared his drive with long-time friend Chris Buncombe, who made his historic-racing debut on what shaped up to be a decidedly wet weekend. Things could get ‘interesting’ in a car that wheelspins the entire length of the start–finish straight and relies on drum brakes to haul itself down from 140mph at the end of the back straight.

Button already took his Jaguar C-Type to victory in the Freddie March Memorial Trophy, can he repeat this feat in the E-Type for the RAC TT Celebration? Watch the video to find out.

The Goodwood Revival takes place on 18^th-20^th September. Tickets are on sale now.

If you’re not already part of the GRRC, you can sign up to the Fellowship today and save ten per cent on your 2026 tickets and grandstand passes, as well as enjoying a whole host of other on-event perks.