At next weekend’s third round of the Toyota Racing Series at Hampton Downs, fans will see a former two-time series champion back in action – but not in a TRS car.

GP2 ace Mitch Evans is belting up in a tin top for the first time in his racing career for a yahoo in the NZ SuperTourers category.

Evans recently turned a few laps in his brother Simon’s Smeg racing machine and found the experience “interesting”.

“Dad called me up and asked if I wanted to have a one-off go in a V8 if he could get a car and some backing,” said Evans. “I thought, why not? It’ll either go well or I’ll get my arse kicked. It’ll be good to race against Simon again because it’s been a few years since we’ve been on the track together.”

Evans has also eyed single seaters and finished a creditable fourth in last year’s GP2 championship. Jumping into a tin top may come as a shock, as the two cars couldn’t be more different.

“A V8 is pretty basic compared to a GP2 car and drives a lot more lazily. They are a lot heavier but at least I won’t have to worry about rubbing wheels.”

It wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Evans, given his pedigree, put the frighteners up a few of the V8 pilots.