CONSECUTIVE PODIUM WINS FOR KYLE EVANS IN FF QLD STATE CHAMPS

December 2, 2020
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Formula Ford
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MEDIA RELEASE/Kyle Evans Motorsport – Photo: Velocity Magazine

Imagine the adrenaline rush while you wait to race after 10 months of delays with COVID19. Add to the mix the decision to purchase a new race car travelling up from Melbourne and the delays involved with the transport travelling from VIC through NSW and over the Qld borders. It was touch and go for a-while whether the Spectrum would even make it to Qld prior to WDSCC and Motorsport Australia Qld State Championships running consecutive weekends in November 2020. Kyle Evans intention was to compete in as many events in Qld to make up for the lack of events in early 2020 in preparation for the National Formula Ford Championship in 2021.

We made the decision to purchase a well-known motorsport competitor’s Spectrum; Jason and Ben Bargwannas front running Formula Ford Spectrum 014 from Melbourne. Along with decision to privateer a racing car for the remainder of 2020 and next year’s national championship. Our intention was to purchase a Duratec which was an manufactured locally with local support. The decision was made easy with the focus on purchasing an Australian manufactured supplier to ensure local support and spare parts. The Duratec powered 014 Spectrum was built in Braeside VIC by Michael Borland from Borland Racing Development. Michael and Tracey Borland have been a tremendous support in such a short period of time.

Kyle stated “straight out of the box the Spectrum was very fast with instant throttle and steering response. Due to my constant improvements on track the 014 Spectrum made it possible to achieve some of the fastest lap times in the heat of the day. The sprints were perfect for practicing qualifying laps while my consistency would come later.”

It was touch and go for a-while whether the Duratec powered Spectrum would even make it to Qld in time for the WDSCC – Warwick District Sporting Car Club Sprints race meet held at Morgan Park Raceway the weekend prior to the Qld State Circuit Racing Championship.

The QSSSC – Qld Super Sprints State Championship was held the weekend prior to CAMS Motorsport Australia – State Championship Race Meeting round 4 would give Kyle the opportunity to get a feel for the Formula Ford. There was just enough time to collect the Formula Ford, pour a race seat and a quick number change before driving to Warwick to compete for the weekend.

We entered into the sprints to get some much-needed seat time. The car was absolute brilliant. With a 2^nd place podium in Kyle Evans sight for the weekend in the QSSSC sprint event. For Kyle to place 2^nd to Jarrod Brilley driving a Radical was an outstanding achievement in a car Kyle had never driven before. Kyle managed some solid times during the race meet and finished a remarkable 6^th overall from 134 experienced competitors. Kyle was feeling confident with the Spectrum and just needed time to learn to drive the Formula Ford. Kyle returned to St Patricks College Shorncliffe on Monday to complete his final assessments and an exam to commence the school week ahead.

Pit Crew Brett Evans packed up the trailer to drive Warwick to compete at Kyle’s home track Morgan Park Raceway for the Motorsport Australia – State Championship – Round 4 the final Championship round in Qld for 2020. Friday was timed practice and time for Kyle to find his rhythm in the car before qualifying and race one on Saturday and three races scheduled for Sunday.

With eleven experienced competitors registered for event 3 for the Formula Ford & Racing Car qualifying. Kyle decided to leave the garage and eagerly line up at the front of the grid to give himself some clear racing space to achieve the best qualifying session possible. With the temperature rising it gave little time to achieve Kyle’s best lap of the session. Kyle’s fastest time in qualifying was on lap 3 with a 1:19.509 of the 11-lap session. Was it enough to make the front of the give in the Duratec powered Formula Fords? Yes it was. Kyle had qualified in 2^nd place behind the F3. Due to all open wheelers competing in the same race a small gap was left between the F3 and Duratec and Kent Formula Fords for the commencement of race one.

In race one Kyle achieved some consistent times of between 1:20 and 1:19 with his best time in Race one being on lap 8 of the 11-lap race with a 1:19.650. With little opportunity for Kyle Evans to practice standing starts in the new Duratec powered Spectrum the other Duratec competitor was in front of Kyle before turn one. Kyle with a never give up attitude he kept his cool and kept hot on the heels of his direct competitor. Kyle overtook the vehicle after turn one and Kyle never looked back continuing to rapidly increase the gap between the two race cars. Kyle’s best time in race 2 was a 1:19.155 on lap 8 of the 11-lap race. With Darin Mandy from Velocity Motorsport Magazine in the grandstand showing his support and Nathan Lepp from Aus Timing seen on the balcony congratulating Kyle on a PB personal best of 1:19.155 in lap 8 of the 11-lap race.

Kyle thanked Nathan Lepp from Aus Timing on social media, “it was a great feeling to get a PB. Sorry I did not see you, too focused on the track”. Nathan replied with “no sweat mate didn’t think you’d be looking up!!”

On Sunday morning the officials decided we needed to rack and stack the cars with each event to ensure the event ran on schedule due to the number of races to complete in one day. This meant that drivers and pit crews needed to ensure they were ready on the grid once their group was called to line up. Any driver who has competed in an open wheeler understands what is involved in suiting up and being harnessed into the Formula Ford in 36 degrees blistering heat knows it can get extremely hot and uncomfortable for the driver. Kyle competed the 11-lap race in 2^nd place once again behind the F3 with a best time of 1:19.736 in his final lap.

Prior to commencing race 4 there was an oil spill on the track which delayed the start of the race as the oil was cleaned up briskly and appropriately for Race four for Formula Ford to commence. Race 4 was the final race for the weekend was event 34 for the weekend. Was this a coincidence car 34 was in event 34? Kyle achieved a 1:19.296 in lap 6 of the 11-lap race. Kyle had to keep off the normal racing line after a competitor in the race prior had an oil spill along the straight up to turn one. Not an easy task at high speeds.

Evans in action at Morgan Park Raceway – Warwick QLD, turn two Sunday – Photo: Velocity Magazine

“Due to not using line locker because of lack of knowledge, I found myself rolling forward leading to a 5 second penalty for the jump start but I was determined to still win so I pushed on. Every lap was in the 1:19s. I used my constancy and a calm head to achieve qualifying laps every lap, putting out my fastest overall session of the weekend, with still more room for improvement, said Evans.”

Kyle Evans completed 44 laps over the weekend scoring an outstanding 25 points for each of the 4 races with 100 points accured for the weekend. Kyle secured 2^nd place behind Roman Krumins in a Formula Ford F3 – Dallara, with 124 points and Nicolas McLeod in 3^rd place also a Spectrum with 84 points. Due to Kyle completing all four races and finishing all races in 2^nd place Kyle was awarded 2^nd place for the State Championships.

WDSCC – Kyle Evans competed in the QSSSC state championships 13-15 November 2020 and achieved 2^nd place 1300-1600 cc racing cars and 6^th overall out of 134 competitors held at Morgan Park Raceway.
Motorsport Australia – Kyle compete in the Qld State Circuit Racing Championship – Round 4 held on 20-22 November 2020 at Morgan Park Raceway 2^nd place podium out of 11 competitors.
QRDA – Qld Racing Drivers Association – Kyle Evans received an email from Chris Donnelly the President of QRDA on Sat 28 Nov 2020 advising and congratulating Kyle on his 1^st placing in 2020 QRDA Formula Ford & Racing Cars club championship. Kyle received 174 points for 2020. Unfortunately, Kyle will be unable to attend the BBQ and Trophy Presentation on Sat 12 Dec 2020 as he will be competing in his final event for 2020 at Wakefield Park in the Nationals the same weekend in NSW.
On Monday 23 November 2020 Gary Goulding confirmed in writing that the points have been calculated and that Kyle Evans had actually received 161 points for Motorsport Australia 2020 – Qld Circuit Racing for Racing & Sports cars which equates to Kyle Evans placing 1^st place and winning the 2020 Qld State Championships for 2020.

Thank you to all the officials and volunteers from Motorsport Australia, Formula Ford, Qld Racing Drivers Association and Warwick District Sporting Car Club for making it possible to compete in the later half of 2020 due to the challenging times we all faced due to COVID-19 with Qld borders closures and social distancing and limited or no spectators at motorsport events for 2020. Without all of these people it is not possible for motorsport enthusiasts such as Kyle Evans and Drivers to compete safely at the events, which we are all truly grateful.

A special mention and thank you also to Kyle Evans Motorsport Partners EzyStone Benchtops, Velocity Motorsport Magazine, Aus Timing and Unleached Adventures. Along with all our loyal race fans and supporters who drop in to our garage at race meets or send Kyle and the team well wishes throughout social media.

“I am very excited for the upcoming race at Wakefield Park. While never racing cars past the Queensland border it will be good practice for next year while getting more seat time at a track that holds a couple of championship rounds for next year. Hoping there will be more Duratecs down at Wakefield Park to gain more wheel to wheel racing and race craft this will be perfect experience before the start of 2021.”

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