New Zealand’s Jaxon Evans will compete in the Pro/AM class in the 2025 Bathurst 12 Hour.
Evans joins his 2024 GT World Challenge Australia co-driver Elliott Schutte, Ferrari factory World Endurance Championship driver Alessio Rovera and experienced campaigner Brad Schumacher in an Arise Racing GT Ferrari 296 GT3.
It completes a strong two-car team from the Perth-based team, the Pro-AM entry to compete alongside the Pro class car to be driven by Chaz Mostert, Will Brown and Daniel Serra.
Schumacher paired with Will Brown to finish second in GTWC Australia last season following a year long battle with both of the Arise-entered Ferrari’s.
The Bathurst local lives within sight of Mount Panorama and will make his sixth Bathurst 12 Hour start this year, his first aboard a Ferrari.
“It’s amazing to join Arise Racing GT in the Ferrari, especially in my home town for this year’s Bathurst 12 Hour,” said Schumacher. “Driving with the Ferrari brand is literally something most can only dream of, so for sure I am pinching myself with this opportunity.”
“I am privileged to be co-driving alongside Alessio, Jaxon, and Elliott. Together, we make a very strong team. I am committed to giving my best for the team and cannot wait to get started.”
Evans and Schutte combined to win the eighth race of the 2024 season to claim third in the championship, a notable performance given it also represented Schutte’s first year in top-flight GT machinery.
The West Aussie graduated from one-make Radical competition into the heat of GT racing last season, having worked through the ranks in a career kicked off by winning a driver search competition backed by Arise Racing’s Radical Cup team in Perth.
“Five years ago, if someone had told me I’d be on the grid at the 12-hour in a Ferrari GT3, I’d have thought they were properly crazy,” said Schutte.
“Coming from computer games and driver search competitions, it’s surreal to be given an opportunity to compete at this level, especially at such an iconic race. The challenge ahead is immense, but sharing the car with the likes of Jaxon, Alessio, and Brad gives me a lot of confidence – we’ve got a great package and a brilliant team behind us.”
Rovera, driving for AF Corse, won the LMP2 Pro-Am drivers championship in the European LeMans series in 2024, while also finishing third in the LMGT3 drivers’ championship behind the wheel of a Ferrari 296 LMGT3 entry – his team winning the final race of the season in Bahrain.
“I’m very excited to be racing with Team Arise Racing GT!” he said. “This will be my first time in Australia and my first experience on the Mount Panorama circuit. I can’t wait to take on such an iconic track in a 12-hour race with my new teammates and with such a great team.”
Queensland-based Kiwi Evans, a full-time pilot for Brad Jones Racing in the Repco Supercars Championship, is a Bathurst 12 Hour veteran and will make his fourth start in the race this year having claimed fourth outright in 2024.
“Starting the season at the Bathurst 12 Hour is always incredible, and this year’s partnership with Arise Racing GT feels super exciting,” said Evans. “Having Ferrari factory ace Alessio Rovera and Brad Schumacher join Elliott and I gives us a strong shot at Pro-Am honours.”
“Following a successful debut with the 296 GT3 at Mount Panorama in GTWC Australia last year, I’m confident we’ll be competitive when February rolls around.”
The 2025 Bathurst 12 Hour will be contested across January 31 – February 2.
