SCT Motorsport driver Jaxon Evans gained crucial experience and data at the Bathurst 500 to begin his maiden season as a primary Supercars driver.
Following a career racing primarily Porsche sports cars across the world, Evans returned this year to contest the Repco Supercars Championship, replacing Jack Smith in the SCT Motorsport Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 run by Brad Jones Racing.
Having been the squad’s endurance driver for the past two seasons, Evans is a known quantity and no major changes at the team, ensure its an environment of relative continuity.
The Kiwi built up his confidence throughout each early session as he endeavoured to add to the mileage accrued in the Bathurst 1000 last year and the all-in Supercars test day at Winton earlier in the month.
Finishing 23rd in his maiden qualifying session, Evans kept it clean and managed to climb up a few positions in the final stint to be 20th at the chequered flag.
Starting from 24th in Race 2, Evans moved up to 17th until a heating problem in the footwell led to an incident at The Esses where he hit the wall on the penultimate lap. Finishing 21st, Evans emerged post-race with an injured foot.
Two finishes for Evans ensures he leaves as the leading rookie in the Repco Supercars Championship standings.
There was a lot going on, it was obviously a very big learning curve from Friday practices to Sunday afternoon,” he said.
“Two races under the belt, unfortunately no commendable results I guess you could say, but Sunday’s race was a big improvement on Saturday’s. We had some good race pace, competed against a few guys and moved forward from our grid position.
“Unfortunately, I made a mistake on the second last lap on Sunday struggling with some heating issues around my feet that may have led to that, but no excuses.
“I’m grateful to the team around me for giving me the support I needed. We’re only just getting started and I can’t wait to see where we end up in a few rounds.
“There’s no easy way out of this and no easy way to the front, I think most of the drivers in the field can definitely back up that statement. That’s all part of the challenge, that’s why I’m excited to be here.
“It’s an awesome event. I have a little bit of track knowledge and I think in one of these cars it will be pretty exciting. Hopefully there will be heaps of close, tight racing and we can keep working our way forwards, but I can’t wait to be part of the circus that comes with Formula 1, but obviously within Supercars.
“It’s a good atmosphere and a great show, so we’ll have a crack!”
The Australian Rolex Formula 1 Grand Prix will be the next venue Evans contests on March 21-24.
