Challenging weekend shows huge potential for Erik Evans
Making the move from karting to cars, Georgia resident Erik Evans joined the Velocity Racing Development program for the 2020 season. With the first two event weekends being delayed due to COVID-19, it was time for Erik to make his Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda debut at the fast and competitive Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio two weeks ago. With realistic goals in place, Evans closed his first weekend of the season with a pair of top-ten results in a talent filled thirty-three car field and now shifts his focus to the second event weekend at the Virginia International Raceway (VIR).
With rain falling during the formation lap of race one and Evans set to start from the 13th position after his qualifying session on Friday afternoon, officials forced drivers to the pits for wet weather tires and a shortened race. With only fifteen minutes on the clock, a good opening lap would be in order as the caution flag would be anticipated among several of the thirty-three starters.
Stalling the start and losing ten positions, he was able repass those cars by the third corner and gained one more position before the yellow flag would be displayed shortly thereafter. That would be the only chance he would have in his debut race as removing the cars from the gravel trap was a difficult process for officials and the race would not go back green. Disappointed in the lack of race laps, Evans was happy to bring his Storm & Savage Apparel machine home in one piece.
"Heading into race one practice, I worked on race craft instead of focusing on qualifying and set-up, and that was a big mistake, leading to a mediocre qualifying run," explained Evans. "When it started raining, I was super confident, I knew I was fast on the wet weather tires. Trying not to spin the tires at the start, I unfortunately stalled the engine, but reacted quickly, restarting the engine, and finishing 12th. To be awarded two positions after post-race technical inspection and come home with a top-ten finish is a great feeling. I can't thank Storm & Savage Apparel and VRD for all of their hard work and support."
Back on track Sunday afternoon and starting from the same 13th position, race two saw plenty of green flag running and experience building for the young Evans. Moving forward yet again, Evans ended his second wheel-to-wheel event in as many days in tenth and gained even more confidence for the future. 
Evans added, "I was a little tardy coming off the line, but quickly recovered. I made some good passes working my way up to ninth. I had a big moment in turn nine, pushing the braking zone, trying to run down the lead pack, but was able to keep it on track giving up a couple of spots. We had pace with the leaders, but the end result was a direct relation to a less than satisfactory qualifying effort. I think we have solid top-ten pace and results, maybe even better when everything gets sorted out. Checked off a lot of my goals this weekend, so we will reset them for the next event at VIR."
With less than three weeks to regroup and prepare for the next event of the 2020 F4 United States Championship Powered by Honda, Evans will now prepare for the 3.27-mile Virginia International Raceway. Taking place July 16-19, the Storm & Savage branded driver will take advantage of a Thursday Promoter Test Day that will see four unofficial practice sessions before the weekend officially gets underway on Friday. Unlike Mid-Ohio, VIR will be the home of three wheel-to-wheel events, rounds three through five, providing more track time to learn and opportunity for podium results.
To view the STORM + SAVAGE t-shirts and hats, or learn more about this growing apparel company, please visit them online at www.StormAndSavage.com and be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram by searching @StormAndSavage, or follow their hashtags, #stormandsavage, #iambeast, and #thebeastwithin.
For more information on Erik Evans, please contact RTD Media & Management at Info@RaceTechDevelopment.com or follow him via his social media channels.
