This was likely the last race of the season for Evan, so he wanted to make sure to rip it up! And rip it up, he did. Miles even got in on the fun on his CRF100F. Evan had a great weekend—his biggest problem was that his leathers were getting so small it was hard to hang off the bike (time for new leathers!) Alex snuck up on Evan and put a few passes on him during practice, but Evan was able to walk away during his heats and decisively won his main. Not a bad way to cap off the season!
Miles got the rock star treatment at Sonoma this weekend, getting the chance to set up in a garage thanks to Z2 racing. Plus, after delaying it much longer than he should have, Miles finally got a new set of leathers. He struggled a bit at Sonoma, as usual, but was able to pull off a new personal best during his 650 Production race, where he placed 6th at the back of a tight middle pack. He also took 6th in 650 Twins and placed 13th in Formula 4 dealing with a bent clipon after someone clipped him from behind (on a straightaway?) Somehow Miles stayed upright and his new leathers finished the weekend unscathed!
This was a special event because it was Evan’s first ever night race! Evan had a good day of practice and then took the hot part of the day off to relax before his heats races. An old minimoto friend, Errol, made the drive up from L.A. for the race, and really pushed Evan during the heats! Evan was able to just edge him out and win both of his heats to start on pole for the main. It was getting pretty late by the time the main started, but Evan was pumped. He put his head down and took the checker in his first night race.
Minimoto USA was running one combined event with Minimoto Alliance for 2015 at Apex Kart Track, and this was without a doubt going to be the biggest event of the year for Evan. In preparation for the event, Miles had Evan’s cylinder refinished and put in a new top end. During break-in something sounded odd and when investigating, Miles found a piece of the piston skirt broken off and a very scuffed cylinder. With only two days before the event the Texas Devil Racing crew was thinking about throwing in the towel, but decided to make the push and whatever was going to happen was going to happen. If nothing else, it would be a chance to see old friends and cheer them on. Miles took the best piston and ring he could find and put it together with the scuffed cylinder. It sounded like it was running strong, but Miles couldn’t help but feel it was a ticking time bomb.
The bike was running strong on Friday for practice, but an old familiar problem was coming back—the bike was dying after running a few laps just like the previous weekend. This time Miles already knew where to look, though. After disassembling the fuel petcock half a dozen times, he finally tracked the problem down to the fuel quick-disconnect and bypassed it. Now the fuel was free-flowing, and all was good!
Evan had two unbelievable races on Saturday, dicing with Rocco Landers, a rider Evan has looked up to since he started racing. Evan finished second to Rocco in both of his races, but just being close to him was a huge accomplishment. Rocco and Evan left the field and had such a lead that when Evan lowsided during the Minimoto Unlimited race trying to pass Rocco, he was able to get back on his bike and finish without losing a position.
On Sunday, there was a new gremlin to work out on Evan’s bike in the morning. His ignition ground wire broke, so the kill switch wasn’t working, but that was a pretty quick fix. Evan had another great Minimoto Pro race. Rocco edged him out, but the Minimoto Unlimited race had a twist. Rocco’s pro bike wasn’t working, so he was racing on his sister’s junior bike with a smaller 10mm restrictor. It wasn’t easy (Rocco is FAST!), but Evan was able to stay ahead of Rocco from flag to flag for the win. It was a challenging weekend, but it was worth it. So good to see the Minimoto USA families again!
Father’s Day at the track—everything Miles could wish for! The kids were cheering Miles on for all his Father’s Day fun, and he had a great weekend on track. Miles was able to set a personal best during his 650 Production race, dipping into the 2:02s for 6th place. He rounded out the weekend with a 6th in 650 Twins and a 12th in Formula 4. Looking forward to round 5 at Sonoma!
