From https://www.v8sleuth.com.au (18 June 2025)
Evans celebrates Rotuman heritage with Darwin special
By Connor O'Brien
BRAD Jones Racing and SCT Logistics have taken the chance to
recognise the roots of Supercars' only Pasifika driver at this weekend's
Indigenous Round in Darwin.
That will see the #12 Camaro of Jaxon Evans take on a stunning new
look crafted by Fijian artist Nakita Russell-Watling.
The design is based off Russell-Watling's 'Wings of the Ancestors'
artworks and features the native frigate bird, plus garlands and tattoo
art of the Rotuma island from where Evans hails.
"This whole collab with Nakita has been something really inspiring," said
the New Zealand-raised driver.
"For someone from Rotuma, being seen and represented like this,
especially in a sport where that rarely happens, means a lot.
"Nakita's artwork isn't just an amazing piece to look at, it tells a deeper
story about where we come from and how far that can take you.
"Massive thanks to SCT, Supercars & Nakita for making this project
come to life. It is something I'll carry with me on and off the track."
Russell-Watling explained: "A friend that I grew up with reached out to
me, and he was in contact with a person that was looking for an artist.
And he asked me, 'Hey, I got this thing. Would you be interested?' And
then I sort of squealed and screamed and said, 'sure!' And didn't even
realise that this is where we'd be now just a few months later.
"It really just came from a friend saying, 'hey, what do you think of this?'
That happens a lot in Fiji. You just have to be a yes woman in Fiji. So as
scary as this opportunity was, it's quite huge.
"When I first started the conversation, my brain just went into overdrive.
And then I went into a deep dive of Jaxon. I went online and I researched
him, and I learned all this stuff about him, and then I felt the first thing
that came to me was the frigate bird.
"I just knew the frigate bird and what it stands for. As in frigate birds'
natural instinct is to always return home. And these birds can be out at
sea for days, weeks and months. They're out there for ages. But no
matter where they end up, these birds always have a sense to return
home.
"So I thought the bird could be a nice guide for Jaxon. And then I just
envisioned him absolutely smashing that race with the bird leading the
way.
"I also feel that whatever comes of this artwork locally here in Fiji will
spark conversation, because Rotuma is very small, and not many people
talk about it or know about it. So I thought that was significant too, and I
felt a little bit of pressure, because of that and because of Rotuma's
history with Fiji.
"My mum sent me a snippet of an interview with Jaxon where talks
about being the first Pacific racer. And how he wishes that he could
influence or inspire people to come into the field. And it's not just racing,
there's other jobs in this field. I feel like I've just made his wish come
true. He's just given me this opportunity; the domino effect of that is
huge too.'
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