The Driver - The Man

Fast Facts
· Name: Evan Evans
· Age: 41
· Birth date: 2-11-65
· Height/Weight: 5'10" / 165
· Marital Status: Single
·Years in racing: 32
· Children: Chad born August 1989
· Residence: Riverside, CA - Winter, Crandon, WI - Summer
· Racing Series/Class: CORR / Pro-2
· Race Truck/Number: No.5 Chevy Pickup

Behind the Scenes
· Personal Vehicle: Chevy 2500 Duramax Diesel
· Favorite Food: Mexican
· Favorite Beverage: Pepsi
· Favorite Colors: Blue and Yellow
· Favorite Music: Country Rock
· Hobbies: Botany
· I couldn't live without: Racing
· If I weren't a racer, I would be a: Man without a job!

Profile
With the perseverance and courage that define a champion, Evan Evans' personal motto is "Never Give Up!" Sixteen years ago it would have been easy for him to sit and rail against his misfortune, but instead, he fought hard. And then he went back to racing.

On July 13, 1989, a motorcycle accident dramatically altered Evans' life. He and a passenger were thrown from the bike when they hit a ditch that had been dug for a construction project near his home. The incident left him paralyzed from the chest down. "When the doctors told me my spinal cord 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 didn't think that not being able to walk was any reason to stop doing what he loved.

Having completed his rehabilitation sessions, Evans entered a few desert races to develop his hand controls and hone his skills. He also competed in the (now defunct) Mickey Thompson Stadium Series, and found that he favored short-course racing. And so in 1996, Evans built a Chevrolet C1500 truck, which he successfully campaigned in the popular Midwestern SODA (Short Course Off-Road Racing Association) Series.

Not only did Evans claim seven class victories and one second-place finish, but he captured the 1996 Class 13 Championship title and 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 also joined Chevrolet as a spokesperson for the GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities, and became a member of the Chevy Thunder off-road motor sports team. "Winning the (Class 13) title, joining Chevrolet, and becoming associated with the GM Mobility Program were like a dream come true for me," said Evans.

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. Taking the checkered at five of the eight races in 1997, Evans finished the SODA season in second place in the Class 13 point standings.

One of the most popular drivers in all of off-road racing, Evans graduated to the Pro-2 (2WD trucks) division in the CORR (Championship Off Road Racing) Series. Faced with a new challenge in 1998, 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 competitive Pro-2 class.

In 2000 Evan earned the opportunity from Chevrolet 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 Porches 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. Evan Raced the CORR (Championship Off Road Racing) Series and won seven races and placed second in the final points standings.

In 2001 in the CORR Series Evan placed second in the final points standings, with five wins and 12 top-five Finishes.

In 2002 in the CORR Series Evan won four races and placed second in the final points standings. Evan also set a record for the winningest driver at Bark River, MI. track. Evan also set a fast track record for a Pro-2 at that track.

2003 Evan 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's time has beat a 4 wheel drive's time) at Bark River, MI. Evan also qualified for the poll position for the "Fabulous Five" in the Borg Warner.

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.

"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."

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