Townsville teenager Lachlan Evennett on fast track to motorsports glory with GRM

Lachlan Evennett is set to become the youngest professional driver to race V8s for Garry Rogers Motorsport, following in the footsteps of Jamie Whincup, Garth Tander and Scott McLaughlin. Read more about his latest success on the track.

Townsville race car driver Lachlan Evennett, 16, winning race 2 at the Bridgestone GR86 Championship at Hampton Downs, New Zealand. Picture: Toyota NZ.

Townsville race car driver Lachlan Evennett has taken another huge step in his racing career, winning race 2 in his debut event in the New Zealand Toyota 86 series on Sunday.

The 16-year-old rising star of Australian motorsports set a blistering pace from pole position, holding off fierce competition to finish first in a field of 26.

Evennett was already buzzing after signing a deal with Garry Rogers Motorsport (GRM) which will see him become the youngest professional driver to race for the team steeped in more than 60 years of history.

The GRM stable has a track record of developing motorsports royalty including Jamie Whincup, Garth Tander, Lee Holdsworth, Scott McLaughlin, Marcos Ambrose and currently James Moffat.

The Pimlico High student, who is preparing to begin year 12, will race for GRM in the 2025 Trans-Am Series while also competing in the Toyota 86 GR Cup and Formula Ford with different teams.

Townsville race car driver Lachlan Evennett, 16, winning race 2 at the Bridgestone GR86 Championship at Hampton Downs, New Zealand. Picture: Toyota NZ.

Evennett said he was looking forward to getting behind the wheel of one of the most powerful cars he has ever driven during the Trans-Am.

“The way I describe them is they’re kind of like a NASCAR. They’re 500-plus horsepower, big V8 cars, and they run on tyres similar to NASCAR,” Evennett said.

“They look a lot like a NASCAR. They’re still four-speed manuals, there’s no assists, and they’re pretty raw race cars.

“Getting the opportunity to be on TV in some of those races (on the Supercars circuit) and getting that experience on the tracks will be really good.”

GRM company director Barry Rogers said that while it was unusual to sign a driver so young, it was evident Evennett was ready to make the step up.

3/03/2016 Clipsal 500 day 1- Owner of the Wilson Security Racing GRM then Volvo Polestar Team Garry Rogers and son Barry Rogers. Picture: Mark Brake.

“He’s a great young guy, and quite talented, so we’re certainly looking forward to having him as part of GRM this year,” Rogers said.

“As a team, we get a lot of satisfaction out of bringing young guys through.

“We run a training combine each year down in Tasmania along with Marcos Ambrose, and Lockey attended that with our team last year. I think he was only 15 at the time but you could see he’s got a natural ability.

“You can see it in him. He’s got that feel for a car that you can’t teach – a bit like a cricketer or a tennis player with their hand-eye coordination, you’ve either got it or you haven’t.

“You can see he’s got that feel for a car, and that ability to understand what the car is doing.

“It’s one thing to drive a car quickly, but it’s also about providing the feedback to engineers and things so they know what adjustments are needed to make it go faster.

“He’s only very young but we have high regards of where we think we can get him.”

Up and coming Townsville racing driver Lachlan Evennett, 16, on the Strand. Picture: Evan Morgan

Evennett has quickly garnered plenty of support from local Townsville businesses including CAMM Concrete and Quarries, which has come on as naming sponsor for all three of the young driver’s cars in 2025.

Evennett said managing his final year of studies while becoming GRM’s youngest ever driver was a challenge he was ready to take on.

“It’s a little bit of pressure, but I’m looking forward to spending the year with them in the Trans Ams and hopefully beyond,” Evennett said.

“It’s a bit harder in year 12 than year 11 because you can’t move around exams and all that. I’ll go into the year hoping that I can be at all the exams and work around my schoolwork.

“As long as I’m not clashing with exams, I should be right, and I can do my work away while I’m travelling.”

Townsville race car driver Lachlan Evennett, 16, winning race 2 at the Bridgestone GR86 Championship at Hampton Downs, New Zealand. Picture: Toyota NZ.

Rogers said it was Evennett’s maturity that would allow him to succeed in racing.

“Age is one thing, but maturity is another. For his age, he’s got a probably got an old head on him in regards to that he’s not rash, he’s sensible.

“He’s got raw speed, he’s quick in the car straight away, and he’s respectful.

“To be a good race car driver, you’ve got to be respectful of the equipment, because if your equipment falls apart around you, you can’t do too much.

“But he respects his car, understands that bashing into other people isn’t going to get you to the finish line. And he’s also very good interacting with the staff.

“His age doesn’t hold him back in regards to feeling like he can’t ask questions or do things.

“He’s not shy, but he’s also not a smart alec. He speaks up and he can relate to and talk to senior people in a really good manner.”

Originally published as Townsville teenager Lachlan Evennett on fast track to motorsports glory with GRM