Jaxon Evans and Elliott Schutte will reunite with ARGT for the 2026 season of the GT World Challenge (GTWC) Australia powered by AWS as they aim to secure the Pro-Am title after narrowly missing out last year.
The pair finished as Pro-Am runners-up in 2025 and will once again share the No. 26 Ferrari 296 GT3 fielded by ARGT, formerly known as Arise Racing GT. Having already spent two seasons together in the championship, Evans and Schutte now begin their third campaign determined to convert strong performances into a title-winning season.
Strong partnership built over two seasons
Evans and Schutte first joined forces in the 2024 championship and quickly proved competitive.
During their debut season together, the duo secured three podium finishes in the opening four races, including a podium in their very first outing. They later claimed their maiden victory at Sydney Motorsport Park during the penultimate round. After ten races, the pair ultimately finished third in the standings, establishing themselves as genuine contenders within the Pro-Am class.
The duo raised their performance significantly in 2025. Across the opening two rounds, Evans and Schutte dominated the Pro-Am field by converting three pole positions into three race wins while also adding another podium finish. That strong start propelled them into an early championship lead.
They continued their consistency over the next three rounds by securing four additional podium finishes from six races. One of the highlights came at The Bend Motorsport Park where the pair delivered another commanding lights-to-flag victory.
However, a series of setbacks later in the season ultimately prevented them from securing the title. Despite their strong form, they finished the championship just four points short of the Pro-Am crown.
International success for Evans and a switch from open-wheelers for Schutte
Outside the Australian GT scene, Evans has enjoyed an impressive international motorsport career. The New Zealander first rose through the ranks in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia before graduating to the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia. In 2018, he captured the Carrera Cup title with six victories and multiple podium finishes.
That success earned him a place in the prestigious Porsche Junior Shootout in Europe, which he won. The victory led to drives in the Porsche Supercup and Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland in 2019.
Evans later secured another championship by winning the Porsche Carrera Cup France in 2020. Following that success, he transitioned into GT racing, where he won the inaugural Nürburgring 12 Hour before returning to Australia to compete in the Supercars Championship with Brad Jones Racing until the end of last season.
Meanwhile, Schutte began his career primarily in open-wheel competition before shifting to sports cars. Early appearances in the Australian Prototype Series were followed by a successful two-year stint in the Radical Cup Australia with Arise Racing, where he frequently finished on the podium. His strongest season came in 2023 when consistent performances helped him secure second place in the championship standings.
That success led to his step up to GT racing with ARGT in GT World Challenge Australia, where he began his partnership with Evans.
Bathurst success highlights growing reputation
The pair also achieved a major endurance racing success in early 2025. Evans and Schutte teamed up with Alessio Rovera and Brad Schumacher at the Bathurst 12 Hour, the opening round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge.
Driving the ARGT Ferrari 296 GT3, the quartet secured victory in the Pro-Am class at the iconic Mount Panorama Circuit.
Evans eyes title in third attempt; Schutte confident ahead of 2026 GTWC Australia campaign with ARGT
Evans believes the team now has the experience and pace required to finally secure the championship.
“Coming back for a third season with Elliott and ARGT feels pretty special,” Evans said. “We’ve been knocking on the door for the last couple of years – third in year one, second last year – so naturally we’d love to go one better. The Ferrari 296 is a great car and the team dynamic is second to none! GT World Challenge Australia is never easy, so we’ll keep our heads down, do the work, and hopefully be right in the fight”
Schutte also expressed confidence in the team’s continued progress and their chances in the upcoming campaign.
“It’s great to be back with Jaxon and the ARGT crew for another season,” Schutte said. “We’ve built some strong momentum over the past couple of seasons which leans well to the direction the team is heading this year.
“The Ferrari 296 is an incredible piece of machinery and the atmosphere within the team makes it even more enjoyable to be part of. GT World Challenge Australia is always fiercely competitive, but we’re excited for the challenge and determined to push for that top podium this season.”
Evans and Schutte will begin their 2026 championship campaign at the LIQUI MOLY GT Festival Phillip Island from 27–29 March at the famous Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. With two seasons of momentum behind them, the ARGT pairing now aims to turn consistent podium finishes into a long-awaited Pro-Am championship victory.
