Kiwi GT star Jaxon Evans is set to take centre stage when Arise Racing GT returns to Mount Panorama for the 2026 Bathurst 12 Hour, leading the team’s headline Ferrari assault in one of the world’s toughest endurance races.
Evans will pilot Arise Racing GT’s lead Ferrari 296 GT3 in the Professional class, joining forces with factory Ferrari drivers Daniel Serra and Davide Rigon for the February 13–15 classic.
The New Zealander steps into a key role after playing a major part in the team’s breakthrough Bathurst campaign last year, where Arise announced itself as a serious contender on debut.
The Kiwi was instrumental in the squad’s success at Mount Panorama in 2025, helping deliver a Pro-Am class victory and eighth outright in the team’s second Ferrari. That result capped off a hugely impressive season for Evans, who finished runner-up in the GT World Challenge Australia Pro-Am championship alongside Elliott Schutte, claiming four race wins across the campaign.
Now, Evans returns to the Mountain with his sights firmly set on outright honours.
“The Bathurst 12 Hour is always a highlight, and returning with Arise Racing GT is something I’m really looking forward to,” Evans said.
“A privilege to join Daniel & Davide in the PRO car for 2026 – a very strong program, and I’m keen to see what we can achieve as a group.”
Arise Racing GT came agonisingly close to a podium on its Bathurst debut, running strongly inside the top three well into the final hour before a late fuel stop dropped the team to fourth at the flag. With a year of experience under its belt and an even stronger driver line-up, the Melbourne-based squad is determined to take the next step in 2026.
Brazilian ace Serra returns for a second consecutive Bathurst campaign with Arise, having been part of that impressive debut performance last year. The Ferrari factory driver arrives fresh from another strong international season and is confident the team is well placed for a front-running result.
“Heading back to Bathurst feels great,” Serra said.
“I’ve raced with the team once already, and after the season they had in GT Australia, I know how well they understand both the car and the circuit.
“Coming in for my second race with them, paired with Davide and Jaxon, I feel we have a very competitive lineup. Everything is in place for a strong performance.”
Completing the all-star trio is Italian veteran Davide Rigon, who returns to Mount Panorama for the first time in a decade. The 39-year-old brings a wealth of experience, including 11 starts at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Ferrari and a GTD Pro class victory at the 2024 Rolex 24 at Daytona in the Ferrari 296 GT3.
“It’s fantastic to be back racing in Australia, to be able to race at the Bathurst 12 Hour, a spectacular competition contested on one of the most fascinating and challenging tracks in the world,” Rigon said.
“It’s a race that puts drivers and cars alike to the test, where precise driving and the work of the whole team are essential if you want a good result. I’ll be returning to Bathurst 10 years after the one time I raced it before, back in 2016. I’m honoured I can do that with Arise Racing GT: I’ll give it my all, together with my teammates, to stand out in a great challenge.”
For Evans, the Bathurst 12 Hour remains a standout event on the international GT calendar and another major opportunity to showcase his talent on a global stage. The Auckland-born driver is also set for a busy year beyond Mount Panorama, having been named as part of Walkinshaw TWG’s driver roster for the Supercars Endurance races later in 2026.
Arise Racing GT will again field two Ferrari 296 GT3 entries at Bathurst, with the line-up for its Pro-Am class defence to be confirmed in the coming months.
The 2026 Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour takes place at Mount Panorama on February 13–15.
Header Image: SRO Australia – Daniel Kalisz
