Kiwi wins inaugural Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy race

Kiwi Simon Evans has won the inaugural Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy race, making history in Saudi Arabia on December 15.

The Team Asia New Zealand driver started in pole position after qualifying was cancelled due to heavy rain in Riyadh.

The starting grid of 12 cars was based on the results of Friday’s free practice session.

Evans led the race for 23 minutes plus one lap after an extra sighting lap was added due to the changing conditions.

Jaguar’s VIP driver Alice Powell won the Pro-Am category and placed fifth overall, after starting in seventh position. Powell, Katherine Legge and Célia Martin were among the first women ever to race in Saudi Arabia, and the race was the first time men and women competed together in the Kingdom.

Legge set the fastest lap of the race with a 1:32.36.

“It feels amazing to win the race from pole to flag – it’s very special,” Evans says. “It wasn’t an easy race, and it just shows from the practice times and the race itself, the pack is incredibly close. The very first win is the one everyone wants and hopefully we can continue the momentum to the next race in Mexico.”

“We battled the weather conditions and were disappointed not to complete qualifying but the race was exactly what we hoped: close, competitive racing that’s exciting to watch,” Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy championship manager Marion Barnaby says.

“The cars performed well and showed the power and reliability of the Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy, a production-based car that really shows the public electrification is here.”

The eTrophy series is run as a support event to the ABB FIA Formula E.

Evans’ brother Mitch was fourth in the season’s weather plagued opening Formula E round at Ad Diriyah with Jaguar team-mate Nelson Piquet Jr 10th.

The next Formula E event is in Morocco on January 12 and the next Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy round is in Mexico City on February 16.