Kyle’s motoring milestone

Published 9:00am 25 September 2021

Redcliffe motor racer Kyle Evans has notched another milestone – he’s officially allowed to drive solo on public roads.

Having made his national racing debut at the Australian Formula Ford Championships earlier in the year, Kyle passed his probationary on-road driving test with flying colours this month.

It’s been a busy few months for the former St Patrick’s College student, who started work with Dad Brett in the family’s Clontarf EzyStone Benchtops business and came second at last month’s three-day Warwick 1000 after a three month COVID-enforced sabbatical.

Kyle says he found notching up the required 100 hours of driving time before getting his P-plates was easy, driving to and from school each day.

Slower pace

While he’s used to clocking up the kilometres on the racing circuit, he says driving on public roads is vastly different – not least because he’s not allowed to reach the 230kmh he sometimes does on the track.

“They’re not the same at all,” he laughs.

“On the road you’re trying to get from A to B safely and on the track, you’re trying to go the fastest you can.

“Being on the road is like driving in slow motion and I keep an eye on my speed.”

While his driving test at Redcliffe went off without a hitch, his racing at Warwick threw him a curve-ball when Kyle’s Formula Ford – Duratec powered Spectrum hit an oil spill on turn one of the track in a qualifying round.

The spill launched his car into the ripple strip and sent it spinning off the track, resulting in extensive damage that his crew hastily repaired before racing resumed.

“I wasn’t expecting it. I hit the brakes and the car just looped in – I let go of the wheel, hoping I didn’t hit the wall.”

Kyle is relishing having his Ps and says his first drive alone was along the beachfront.

“It’s nice to be independent.”

His advice for other learner-drivers?

“Make sure you know the rules and get in with a driving school and they will tell you what’s you’re doing wrong and when they think you’re ready to do the test,” he says.