Jaxon Evans will drive his late friend, mentor and supporter Tim Miles’ car in a race to be run in his tribute at this weekend’s 70th New Zealand Grand Prix at Highlands.
Evans will drive the late Tim Miles’ Swift DB4 Formula Atlantic this weekend in the Tim Miles Memorial Trophy event; the race is named after the racer, businessman, and passionate Kiwi competitor who tragically passed away in an accident while cycling in July last year.
The Miles family asked for Jaxon to drive the car this weekend – with Evans and the Miles family in every respect but their surnames.
Though based full-time in Sydney for work, Miles was a proud Central Otago resident and spent significant time at his house located not far from Queenstown and Cromwell.
He raced the Atlantic, which he purchased in 2024, for the first time at last year’s Taupo Historic GP.
While Evans has raced at Highlands before, he’s yet to race a ‘wings and slicks’ open wheeler; however, he says the opportunity to drive the ex-Jos Verstappen-driven car – one that raced in New Zealand in the early 1990s – was exciting.
“I’m super honoured to even be asked to drive the car,” Evans said.
“It’s something completely new to me, but I knew Tim had a lot of fun driving it, so I’m sure I will be the same, though I am hoping I fit!
“Being back in New Zealand is always a pleasure, and to go back to the Highlands is especially cool.
“Having family and friends here together, making a weekend of it, is going to be pretty special too.”
The Tim Miles Memorial race will feature a competitive grid of Formula Atlantic machinery from the 70s, 80s, and early 1990s as part of a two-event series that kicked off at the Giltrap Group Historic GP at Taupo two weeks ago.
That event was claimed by Kaleb Ngatoa, who will return this weekend, while Greg Murphy will also race in his Ralt. Murphy raced against Verstappen in the car that Evans will race this weekend during the 1992/93 season.
Family and friends of Tim will be present this weekend in what is set to be a true celebration of his life.
The Atlantic field will be part of a busy program at the 70th New Zealand Grand Prix, the fifth round of the NextGen NZ Championship.
As well as the finale of the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy, the weekend includes racing from the GT New Zealand Championship, TA2 New Zealand Championship, Bridgestone GR86 Championship, and Mazda Racing Super Series.
Tickets can be purchased online, with all tickets bought prior to the event going into the draw to win a hotlap in a Gen 3 Camaro or Mustang Supercar this weekend.
Action will be broadcast live on both days on Sky Sports NZ, Fox / Kayo in Australia, and YouTube around the world.
Header Image: Supplied
Drive well Jaxon. What an honour to be representing Tim. I know Hunter would love to be there.
Enjoy yourself
Best wishes
Chris and Lindy
Wow cousin what a honour! This is Paul Sides, uncle Bills son. Have a great race. Hope to get down & watch
So when are you racing in Cant next? Oh can you say hi too Mum & Dad for me.