The first batch of drivers have been announced for the forthcoming Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy, as part of a test session at Silverstone race circuit.
Held to help the new racers become accustomed to their new electric I-Pace machines, the official test day saw a global field starting to be assembled for the race series.
Intended to act as a support race for the 2018-19 FIA Formula E Championship, the I-Pace eTrophy will be contested across ten rounds at nine different locations.
One of the first teams to be unveiled was Rahal Letterman Lanigan, a US-based outfit which has competed in IndyCar, Global Rallycross, and the American Le Mans Series. Their cars will be driven by Bryan Sellers, and British-born Katherine Legge who has spent much of her career racing in the USA.
Simon Evans, the younger brother of current Formula E racer Mitch Evans, was another driver making a debut at the test. Having an older sibling already competing in electric motorsport could be a useful bonus, and Simon believe that the two will be “pushing each other on” as the season progresses.
A Brazilian pairing of Cacá Bueno and Sérgio Jiminez also joined the grid at Silverstone. Bueno is a five-time Stock Car Brasil champion, and the duo will form the official Jaguar Brazil Racing team.
The promise of equal machinery and a world stage should hopefully produce dramatic racing, and showcase Jaguar’s EV technology.
Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy Championship Manager, Marion Barnaby, seemed impressed with the on-track action, commenting: “This week’s test confirmed the Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy is shaping up to offer exciting, close and really competitive racing. The standard of drivers is high and with five continents already represented on the grid it is going to be a truly international series.”
More driver and team announcements will be made in due course, with further test sessions scheduled ahead of the opening race in Saudi Arabia on the 15th December.