New Zealand Supercars driver Jaxon Evans will line up alongside 2023 Porsche Supercup champion Bastian Buus and DTM race winner Joel Eriksson at Phantom Global Racing for February’s Bathurst 12-Hour.
Phantom Global Racing is a new team formed in partnership with Timo Bernhard’s Team 75 Motorsport and will debut at the event. They will field the #13 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992).
Backed by Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific, Phantom Global Racing will also count on Porsche Motorsport’s comprehensive technical support, along with Bernhard’s Team 75 Motorsport outfit. The German driver-turned-team manager took overall victory with Porsche at the 2017 24 Hours of Le Mans, while his squad secured the marque’s first DTM win in 2022.
Phantom Global Racing will take on the event sporting a bold deep blue livery, with nods to its Chinese heritage in the form of a gold dragon totem on both sides of the car, along with a postmodern impression of a panda by Chinese artist Zhang Changjiang on the roof.
Martin Young takes on the role of Team Director for the squad and believes they can challenge towards the front.
“I’m happy to announce that we’ll be taking part in one of the biggest GT3 races, the Bathurst 12 Hour, as our first official race as Phantom Global with the support of Team 75,” he said.
“As a new team, it’s amazing to have the opportunity to take part in the Pro class, and I would like to express my appreciation to Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific and Porsche for their trust and support. It’s going to be a new track for the team, but with the young talent we have, I’m hoping we can be a surprise package and achieve strong results.”
It will be Evans’s fourth time competing in the famed enduro at Mount Panorama, having finished second in class with EBM-NEW Racing Team in 2020 and recording DNFs with Objective Racing and Competition Motorsports/McElrea Racing in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
“I’m extremely excited to team up with Phantom Global Racing for the Bathurst 12 Hour, one of the most prestigious endurance races in the world,” said Evans. “With the technical support of Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific, I’m confident that we can challenge for the highest honours.”
Buus is racing for the first time on the mountain. The 20-year-old Dane is currently competing for Earl Bamber Motorsport in the Asian Le Mans Series following his breakthrough Porsche Supercup triumph.
“Bathurst 12 Hour has been on my bucket list for a long time,” he said. “It’s a truly unique race on a legendary track with some incredible scenery. I’m eager to start working with Phantom Global Racing, together with Jaxon and Joel.”
Eriksson raced in DTM in 2018 and 2019 and completed half a Formula E season in 2020/21, achieving a best result of 10th at the London E-Prix.
“I’m proud to be taking part in the iconic Bathurst 12 Hour on the amazing Mount Panorama Circuit,” said the 25-year-old Swedish driver. “It’s been a dream of mine for a long time to compete in this event, and to finally get this great opportunity with Phantom Global Racing is an incredible feeling. It will be a new track and team for me, but I can’t wait to get started.”
The Bathurst 12 Hour begins a 10-day ‘Bathurst SuperFest’ from February 16, with the opening Supercars round, the Bathurst 500, taking place the weekend after.
Evans is one of several Supercars stars set to feature at both events, with Thomas Randle and Cam Waters joining Craig Lowndes in Scott Taylor Motorsport’s Mercedes-AMG GT3 and Chaz Mostert securing a seat in Method Motorsport’s McLaren GT4.
The Bathurst 12-Hour grid continues to take shape, with further announcements expected in the near future.
