Kiwi rookies Evans and Wood ready for homecoming

Supercars rookies Jaxon Evans and Ryan Wood will be the centre of attention this weekend as they race at home for the first time in Taupo.

In just their third full-time Supercars round, Kiwi youngsters Evans and Wood will enjoy the pleasure and pressure of racing in front of a sold out home crowd for the first time.

The more experienced Evans has had his battles getting comfortable with the BJR Chevrolet Camaro but is starting to show signs of progress with three straight P18 finishes to sit 22nd in the championship.

In preparation for Taupo the 27-year-old has been getting as much seat time as possible, ranging from a rookie day in the Camaro at Camaro at Queensland Raceway to racing a Ferrari around Phillip Island and driving a Porsche in Malaysia.

Evans hopes the busy build up will help him make a gain on home turf.

“It definitely felt like I made some gains,” he said.

“There was a trip to Sepang where I did some testing for Porsche, a test and a race in the Ferrari, and a Rookie Day in the Supercar, so I think any seat time is good just to try to keep your eye in.

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. 

“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.”

Despite being a local Evans has never raced at Taupo before and noted how tight the track is.

Jaxon Evans on the grid at Taupo today. Image: BJR

“I’ve never raced at Taupo, so I thought it would be a good idea to at least learn how the circuit goes and the characteristics of it prior to arriving there for our single 90-minute practice session,” he said.

“It was an eye-opener for sure, it was pretty interesting and it’s a fun circuit, but definitely I learnt a lot while finding it beneficial.

“The biggest thing is the surface changes. There are some very high grip parts of the circuit that have been resurfaced and also a lot of the track in its original state, so that side of things will be pretty interesting in managing tyre degradation. 

“There are also some interesting corners on how you approach and the appropriate lines, so I think we’ll definitely have our work cut out for us.

“It’s very tight, there probably isn’t a lot of outright passing opportunities, but at the same time I think the tyre deg will come into providing more of a racy feel especially in strategy.”

Ryan Wood in action at Albert Park. image: Peter Norton Epic Sports Photography

WAU’s Wood is one of the youngest in the field and has been hurt by the occasional incident, sitting last in the standings.

But there has been flashes of speed and he broke through for a maiden top 10 in the penultimate race at Albert Park.

Wood has had plenty of racing laps of Taupo and is determined to put them to good use on a weekend that will be one to remember, with fond memories of watching the Pukekohe and Hamilton rounds when he was younger.

“This is such a special round for me, my first home race! To be able to celebrate this big step in my career with my friends and family by my side is pretty choice,” he said.

“Taupo International Motorsport Park is such a cool track, I spent quite a bit of time there in my junior career so it’s awesome I get to debut with Supercars here, it’s a full circle moment!

“Growing up, my favourite weekend of the year was whenever Supercars were in New Zealand, it’s pretty surreal that I get to be a part of the show finally, let’s make it one to remember!”

Taupo Super400 schedule (all times AEDT)

Friday, April 19

Practice: 10.55

Saturday, April 20

Qualifying Race 7: 08.20

Top 10 Shootout: 10.00

Race 7 (60 laps): 13.05

Sunday, April 21

Qualifying Race 8: 08.45

Top 10 Shootout: 10.25

Race 7 (60 laps): 13.05

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Podcast: We’re going to Taupo… Tow Paw… Whatever. Supercars is back!

After a break that feels like months, the Supercars Championship is back and headed across the ditch to Taupo in the middle of the North Island. And yes, Brodie Kostecki will be there! As will the rain.

Somehow, the rain will also be in China for F1’s return to 中国. Philip Island was stunning on the weekend, just gone, if a little cold, but we chatted about whether Supercars should return to the land of penguins.

Plus, there’s more… all the news in the way only the Auto Action RevLimiter can deliver.

Listen to our latest episode on your podcast app of choice or here