BJR signs international star Evans for 2024
BJR signs international star Jaxon Evans for 2024
Evans named as Jack Smith’s replacement in SCT Motorsport Camaro
Kiwi raced with Smith in 2022 and 2023 enduros
Brad Jones Racing has signed Kiwi international star Jaxon Evans as Jack Smith’s replacement for the 2024 Supercars season.
Evans, 27, will race the the SCT Motorsport Camaro in the Repco 2024 Supercars Championship.
The New Zealander will fill the seat recently vacated by Smith, who confirmed his departure from full-time racing at the end of the 2023 season.
Evans is no stranger to Supercars, racing with Smith in the 2022 and 2022 enduros. He also raced in Porsche Carrera Cup Australia, and won the 2018 title.
The Carrera Cup title led to Evans becoming a Porsche junior in 2019, with a move to Europe delivering success in the likes of Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland and Porsche Carrera Cup France.
His decorated resume also includes a his first World Endurance Championship podium with the Dempsey-Proton Racing team in Bahrain on debut, and a Bathurst 12 Hour podium in 2020.
In 2021, Evans scored a top five finish in class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and in 2022, he won the inaugural Nürburgring 12 hour race.
Supercars is Evans’ next pursuit, and his 2023 campaign included a stirring run from 22nd to 14th in his opening stint at the Penrite Oil Sandown 500. He also made up over 10 positions in the first stint at the Repco Bathurst 1000.
According to BJR, Evans will be based in Australia as he focuses on the 2024 Supercars campaign amid other racing commitments.
"Very excited for the opportunity to join the Supercars grid full time,” Evans said.
"Having started my racing career here — returning to Australia at some stage has always been an aspiration.
"Supercars produces some of the closest and most exciting racing — a massive attraction for any driver here or overseas.
"Of course a big change in scenery, but an exciting one — I think the challenge of something new is a situation I thrive in, so I can't wait to get going.
"This opportunity gives me the chance to expand my profile as a complete driver and still engage with the GT and endurance racing I have been doing for the past four years in Europe and the USA.
"I have to extend a massive thank you to SCT logistics, the Smith family and Andrew Jones for placing their trust in my ability to perform both on and off the track.
"There are many moving parts in the background, so a big thank you as well to my support network here in Australia.”
Evans will test the SCT Logistics Camaro at a pre-season test day on February 7 at Winton Motor Raceway.
He will be one of five New Zealanders on the 2024 grid, along with teammate Andre Heimgartner, Penrite Racing duo Matt Payne and Richie Stanaway, and Walkinshaw Andretti United rookie Ryan Wood.
Team owner Jones added: “We’re excited to welcome Jaxon full-time to the team in 2024.
"We all know each other quite well and Jaxon has always been a pleasure to work with.
“He has shown potential as a co-driver and has a lot of speed at hand, he’ll be one to watch next year that’s for sure.
“What Jaxon achieved overseas is the envy of most drivers and he’s an amazing asset with his breadth of experience across so many professional categories. He’s a natural fit for us.”
