Evan Evans (racer)
Encyclopedia
Evan Walker Evans is an American off-road racer
. He raced in the Championship Off-Road Racing (CORR) series. He has been the champion in the series despite racing using hand controls since he is a paraplegic. Evan Evans is the son of off-road racing "The Legend" Walker Evans
"It doesn't matter if you're in a wheelchair or have healthy legs," Evans added "If you have the will to do something, you can get it done. I race the same as anyone else does; I just don't use my feet. And, I never give up."
had been severed
, it was my worst nightmare come true," says Evans. "But I decided then and there, I was not going to give up." He saw no reason why not being able to walk should stop him from doing what he loved.
, a now defunct indoor stadium short-course off-road racing series. In 1996, Evans built a Chevrolet
C1500 truck, which he successfully campaigned in the popular Midwestern SODA
(Short Course Off-Road Racing Association) Series.
Evans claimed seven class victories and one second-place finish, and won the 1996 Class 13 Championship title. The season put his name in the record books as the winningest truck class driver in SODA history. His domination of the series earned Evans the special recognition of becoming the first paraplegic racer to capture a professional off-road racing title.
Evans' first-season success in the SODA Series netted him the honors of being elected to the 1996 AARWBA Auto Racing All-America Team in the "At Large" category; and he also received the 1996 SODA "Driver of the Year" award. After winning five of the eight races in 1997, Evans finished the SODA season in second place in the Class 13 point standings.
in the new series. He competed in the Pro-2 (rear wheel drive trucks) division. He took one win and eight top-five finishes to post a sixth place position in the final point standings.
In 1999 Evan took one win, 9 top-five finishes to post fifth place position, still adapting to the Pro-2 class.
In 2000 Evan Raced the CORR Series and won seven races and placed second in the final points standings.
In 2001 in the CORR Series he placed second in the final points standings, with five wins and 12 top-five Finishes.
In 2002 in the CORR Series Evans won four races and placed second in the final points standings. Evan also set a record for the winningest driver at Bark River, Michigan
track. Evan also set a fast track record for a Pro-2 at that track.
In 2003 Evans raced the CORR Series and won 1 race and had ten top-5 finishes. He placed third in the final points standings. In the CORR Series Evan set fast lap record overall (first time a 2 wheel drive truck's time has beat a 4 wheel drive's time) at Bark River. Evan also qualified for the pole position
for the "Fabulous Five" in the Borg Warner at Crandon International Off-Road Raceway
.
For the 2004 season, Evan placed second in the CORR points championship, Evan had 11 top 5 finishes and 4 wins. He is the first Pro-2 driver to get four consecutive wins.
to race a Duramax Diesel up Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. He was the only truck in his class (High Performance Show Room Stock) racing against Porsche
s and Toyota cars. Evan placed fourth in his class and set a record for fastest diesel vehicle ever up the Pikes Peak. Evan was named "Rookie of the Year" and also was awarded the Ralph Bruning "NEVER GIVE UP" Award.
Off-road racing
Off-road racing is a format of racing where various classes of specially modified vehicles compete in races through off-road environments.-North America:...
. He raced in the Championship Off-Road Racing (CORR) series. He has been the champion in the series despite racing using hand controls since he is a paraplegic. Evan Evans is the son of off-road racing "The Legend" Walker Evans
Walker Evans (racer)
Roger Walker Evans is an Off-road Motorsports Hall of Famer . He was also a driver and owner in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Walker Evans is nicknamed "the Legend". Walker is the father of off-road racer Evan Evans...
"It doesn't matter if you're in a wheelchair or have healthy legs," Evans added "If you have the will to do something, you can get it done. I race the same as anyone else does; I just don't use my feet. And, I never give up."
Accident
On July 13, 1989, a motorcycle accident significantly changed Evans' life. He was thrown from a bike when he hit a ditch from a construction project near his home. He was paralyzed from the chest down. "When the doctors told me my spinal cordSpinal cord
The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular bundle of nervous tissue and support cells that extends from the brain . The brain and spinal cord together make up the central nervous system...
had been severed
Severed
Severed: Forest of the Dead is a 2005 zombie suspense horror film directed by Carl Bessai and set in a remote logging community following an incident where a genetic experiment goes wrong.-Premise:...
, it was my worst nightmare come true," says Evans. "But I decided then and there, I was not going to give up." He saw no reason why not being able to walk should stop him from doing what he loved.
Early racing career
Having rehabilitated, Evans entered some desert races to develop his hand controls and hone his driving skills. He also competed in the Mickey Thompson Stadium SeriesMickey Thompson Entertainment Group
The Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group was a sanctioning body for an American off-road racing series that took place inside stadiums. Some events were televised, including on TNN and ESPN. -History:...
, a now defunct indoor stadium short-course off-road racing series. In 1996, Evans built a Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
C1500 truck, which he successfully campaigned in the popular Midwestern SODA
SODA (series)
The Short-course Off-road Drivers Association was an off-road racing sanctioning body in the United States.-History:...
(Short Course Off-Road Racing Association) Series.
Evans claimed seven class victories and one second-place finish, and won the 1996 Class 13 Championship title. The season put his name in the record books as the winningest truck class driver in SODA history. His domination of the series earned Evans the special recognition of becoming the first paraplegic racer to capture a professional off-road racing title.
Evans' first-season success in the SODA Series netted him the honors of being elected to the 1996 AARWBA Auto Racing All-America Team in the "At Large" category; and he also received the 1996 SODA "Driver of the Year" award. After winning five of the eight races in 1997, Evans finished the SODA season in second place in the Class 13 point standings.
Championship Off Road Racing
The SODA series was replaced by CORR (Championship Off-Road Racing) as the prominent off-road racing series in 1998. Evans moved up to a Trophy TruckTrophy Truck
Trophy Trucks are the fastest class of off-road racing vehicles designed and built to resemble modern pickup trucks. Although any truck that meets the safety standards can race the trophy truck class, they, for the most part, feature long travel suspensions and high power engines...
in the new series. He competed in the Pro-2 (rear wheel drive trucks) division. He took one win and eight top-five finishes to post a sixth place position in the final point standings.
In 1999 Evan took one win, 9 top-five finishes to post fifth place position, still adapting to the Pro-2 class.
In 2000 Evan Raced the CORR Series and won seven races and placed second in the final points standings.
In 2001 in the CORR Series he placed second in the final points standings, with five wins and 12 top-five Finishes.
In 2002 in the CORR Series Evans won four races and placed second in the final points standings. Evan also set a record for the winningest driver at Bark River, Michigan
Bark River, Michigan
Bark River is an unincorporated community located in Delta County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located in Bark River Township near the Bark River. It is situated on U.S. Highway 2 and U.S. Highway 41 about 13 miles west of Escanaba and just east of the Hannahville Indian Reservation...
track. Evan also set a fast track record for a Pro-2 at that track.
In 2003 Evans raced the CORR Series and won 1 race and had ten top-5 finishes. He placed third in the final points standings. In the CORR Series Evan set fast lap record overall (first time a 2 wheel drive truck's time has beat a 4 wheel drive's time) at Bark River. Evan also qualified for the pole position
Pole position
The term "pole position", as used in motorsports, comes from the horse racing term where the number one starter starts on the inside next to the inside pole. The term made its way, along with several other customs, to auto racing. In circuit motorsports, a driver has pole position when he or she...
for the "Fabulous Five" in the Borg Warner at Crandon International Off-Road Raceway
Crandon International Off-Road Raceway
The Crandon International Off-Road Raceway is an off-road racing racetrack that has hosts the "World Championship Off-Road Races".-Location:The track is located west of Crandon, Wisconsin on U.S. Route 8.-Track layout:...
.
For the 2004 season, Evan placed second in the CORR points championship, Evan had 11 top 5 finishes and 4 wins. He is the first Pro-2 driver to get four consecutive wins.
Hill Climb
In 2000 Evan earned the opportunity from ChevroletChevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
to race a Duramax Diesel up Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. He was the only truck in his class (High Performance Show Room Stock) racing against Porsche
Porsche
Porsche Automobil Holding SE, usually shortened to Porsche SE a Societas Europaea or European Public Company, is a German based holding company with investments in the automotive industry....
s and Toyota cars. Evan placed fourth in his class and set a record for fastest diesel vehicle ever up the Pikes Peak. Evan was named "Rookie of the Year" and also was awarded the Ralph Bruning "NEVER GIVE UP" Award.