Evans hails BJR turnaround after strong Taupō start
Jaxon Evans, Andre Heimgartner crack top eight at Taupō
BJR drivers missed the top 10 in all four Melbourne races
Evans tested at Queensland Raceway before Taupō event
Jaxon Evans has hailed Brad Jones Racing’s efforts between events, with the team getting two cars in the top eight in practice in Taupō.
BJR stuttered through the opening two rounds, with Bryce Fullwood the highest placed driver of the quartet in 14th overall.
All four BJR Camaros have struggled with braking, with Fullwood saying the team had homework to do. BJR rolled Evans out for a rookie test at Queensland Raceway last week to fine-tune parts ahead of Taupō, with the Kiwi feeling gains were made.
The test has paid early dividends, with Andre Heimgartner sixth and Evans eighth after 90 minutes of practice on Friday, with Chaz Mostert quickest ahead of Ford rivals Matt Payne and Will Davison.
Evans credited the work the team put in since the Grand Prix, where BJR Camaros failed to reach the top 10 in the four races.
"The 90 minutes almost didn't feel like enough track time,” Evans said.
"Pretty happy with where we rolled the car out of the truck. And a credit to the team for putting in some work in between the Grand Prix and here, things certainly felt better.
"To finish inside the top 10 in our only practice session is a positive feeling leading into qualifying.
"Still some things to work on and we still want to be fighting further up, but I think it's a really positive step forward and can't wait to go racing tomorrow."
Critically, BJR’s efforts may get its two homegrown heroes in the fight at Taupō, with Heimgartner and Evans two of five New Zealand-born drivers on the 2024 grid.
Heimgartner feels he left plenty the table in his qualifying simulation run, saying his #8 R&J Batteries Chevrolet responded well to changes.
"I think it's hard to know exactly where we will sit,” Heimgartner said.
"Car felt good, we made some good changes. We just have to see what tomorrow brings.
"Hopefully we'll make some good changes overnight and and stay up there with everyone but positive first day."
Supercars will return to the track on Saturday with Boost Mobile Qualifying at 8:20am AEST/10:20am NZST, followed by the Top Ten Shootout at 10:00am AEST/12:00pm NZST.
The first race of the weekend, the 60-lap Race 7, will start at 1:05pm AEST/3:05pm NZST.
