Jaguar has announced Team Asia New Zealand will compete full season in the Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy, the world’s first international championship for production-based electric cars.
Simon Evans, brother of Panasonic Jaguar Racing driver Mitch Evans, will compete in the championship, which begins on 15 December in Saudi Arabia. The Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy will be the support race at ABB FIA Formula E rounds, and will take place on the same city street circuits at 10 rounds of the championship.
“My brother races in Formula E, and I’ve been following it for a few years now; it’s definitely the future, so it’s great to be involved,” says Evans. “I am thrilled to be representing Team Asia New Zealand, and am grateful for the opportunity to be part of electric racing history.”
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The Team Asia New Zealand eTrophy car is sponsored by the Giltrap Group, as well as Wearnes Automotive, and Access Group, Sri Lanka; all official importers and distributors of Jaguar Land Rover vehicles in their respective countries.
“Motorsport is a great passion for Giltrap Group, and we are proud to support New Zealander’s racing all over the world. So the chance to back the Team Asia New Zealand e-TROPHY entry was an easy decision,” said Michael Giltrap, Joint Managing Director of the Giltrap Group.
“Not only does it further confirm our commitment to zero-emission vehicles, but it showcases both Jaguar’s impressive I-PACE and New Zealand’s impressive driving talent in Simon Evans.”
Evans attended the championship’s acclimatisation test at Silverstone in September, as well as pre-season testing at Rockingham in October where he banked valuable test laps.
Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy race will be 25 minutes plus one lap, following two free practice sessions and one qualifying session. Each race will feature a VIP entrant, with famous faces from the world of motorsport and beyond set to take part. The prize fund for the series is in excess of £500,000 (NZ$935,000) per season.
Jaguar returned to racing in October 2016, becoming the first premium manufacturer to join the all-electric ABB FIA Formula E Championship street racing series. Last season, Nelson Piquet Jr and Mitch Evans contributed to Panasonic Jaguar Racing’s most successful season to date in 2017-18, as their scored more than quadrupled the team’s points from season three.
The team’s objective for Season Five is to compete as a front-running team, with regular podiums. Season Five sees the introduction of the Jaguar I-TYPE 3, with a powertrain that has been developed entirely in-house at Panasonic Jaguar Racing.The Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy races will be an exciting addition to this much-anticipated race season.
Read more: First drive: Jaguar I-Pace launched in Portugal
Full Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy calendar:
|
Round |
City |
Country |
Date |
|
1 |
Ad Diriyah |
Saudi Arabia |
15 December 2018 |
|
2 |
Mexico City |
Mexico |
16 February 2019 |
|
3 |
Hong Kong |
Hong Kong |
10 March 2019 |
|
4 |
Sanya |
China |
23 March 2019 |
|
5 |
Rome |
Italy |
13 April 2019 |
|
6 |
Paris |
France |
27 April 2019 |
|
7 |
Monaco |
Monaco |
11 May 2019 |
|
8 |
Berlin |
Germany |
25 May 2019 |
|
9 |
New York City |
USA |
13 July 2019 |
|
10 |
New York City |
USA |
14 July 2019 |
