JAXON Evans hopes a hectic recent schedule including a critical test can breathe life into his rookie Supercars season.
Evans is just 22nd in the championship – albeit the top rookie – heading into Round 3 at Taupō Motorsport Park.
It’s been a ragged start for the entire Brad Jones Racing fleet with braking issues crippling its Camaros.
Based on the Gold Coast these days, Evans has spent the weeks between rounds travelling to Phillip Island twice for a Ferrari GT3 test and race meeting, Sepang in Malaysia to steer a Porsche, and Queensland Raceway for a rookie Supercars day.
Now, it’s over to his homeland for his first opportunity to race at Taupō.
“I’ve tried to fill up my calendar as much as I can and it has certainly been a busy time between the Grand Prix and Taupō,” said Evans.
“I think any seat time is good just to try to keep your eye in. I know they’re completely different cars, but for me I feel like when I’m on the track driving it’s the best thing I can do for my preparation to be race fit.”
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It’s hoped the QR outing last week will help BJR get back on track as a whole, not to mention giving Evans the chance to refine his own game.
“It definitely felt like I made some gains,” he said.
“It was super beneficial not only for myself, but I think for the team as we’ve been struggling, so it was good to get some testing done.
“It was awesome to get some test items over the line and either cross them off or give them the tick of approval before we get to a race weekend, so we’re not learning on the fly at an event.”
So, what’s possible for the #12 SCT Camaro this weekend?
“We’re going to continue to improve and I’m confident even without the rookie test it would have been a step forward, but now having done that running it will be better. Fingers crossed I can perform in front of the home crowd and make everyone proud,” said Evans.
“The Kiwis are super passionate and I know they’ve been crying out loud to get Supercars back. With the way Taupō is sold out, the Kiwi fans are 100 percent behind the event and I think it will be a great success.”
