Revving up for Island Magic

Redcliffe driver Kyle Evans, pictured above, is preparing for one of the biggest tests of his 10-year racing career.

The 19-year-old has a drive at the Australian Formula Ford Open at Phillip Island in Victoria this weekend (November 25-26).

Evans said, on Facebook, he was “super pumped” to be competing and gave “humungous thanks” for the opportunity.

The ex-St Patrick’s College student was offered the place by Gilmour Racing/KCK Racing after a private practise session at Morgan Park, Warwick, in June.

Evans drove a 2011 Dallara F3, a Formula Ford and an Aussie Racing Car at the Queensland circuit as part of a birthday present.

The different techniques used when driving all three cars caught the eye and impressed Matthew and Donna Gilmour.

Fast forward five months and Evans will drive a Dallara F3, the current championship winner running number 1 on the front, at Island Magic.

Hosted by Phillip Island Auto Racing Club (PIARC), Island Magic attracts the best drivers in Australia on the country’s fastest permanent race circuit.

F3 in Australia ranks around fourth or fifth in the world. Formula Open is the fastest in this country and F3 the fastest race car within that level.

Evans made his debut in the Australian Formula Ford Championship last month finishing ninth with 20 points after the three-race round at Sydney Motorsport.

His racing career began at the age of nine in karts and by 14 he had switched to cars in the Hyundai Excel X3 Series.

A year later Evans was in the Formula Ford Kent and after the disruptions of COVID, joined the national and southern Formula Ford Duratec competition.