Brothers from another... thread. Rushy's even said that he liked PGR, and the fact that even the guy who directed/edited all the prerendered videos (like intros and such) does work for Evo means that it's basically a sequel in everything but name. Right down to them focusing on a single musical track as the games "theme" (read: Shadow by The Prodigy).
Can you verify that info on the person concentrating on the driving model? I believe that Ged Talbot works for Evo, but last time I checked there wasn't any info on his employment there on the 'net (particularly LinkedIn) nor any gaming news sites since the closure of Bizarre (give or take a few months).
With any luck, your position of being an insider of sorts can confirm that for me