Amateur Profile: Tyler Evanitski

Although Tyler Evanitski is yet to be a household name in Ontario motocross, we think you will soon be hearing his name more and more. Living just down the road from Gopher Dunes, Tyler not only has the chance to practice regularly but with some really fast riders. To his credit, Tyler has also mastered the art of indoor riding and his results at this winter’s Chesterman’s Indoor Series have been amazing. We recently caught up with Tyler as he was recovering from a crash and getting ready for Christmas.

Tyler has had alot of success so far at the Chesterman’s Indoor Series.

Q: Hey Tyler, let’s start off by telling us where you call home?

A: Sure, I am from Courtland, ON and have lived there my whole life. In case some people don’t know, Courtland is home of the Gopher Dunes track.

Q: That is a beautiful area of Ontario. With living so close to Gopher Dunes do you ride there a lot?

A: Yes, I usually ride there 2 or 3 times a week. With it being so close it’s easy to just pack up and drive down the road. I really like the track there. Some nights there are a lot of riders there so it gets pretty competitive. The Schusters are also very nice to me so it makes it fun going there; Gopher is definitely my favourite track.

Q: I know what you mean, it’s fun going there when it’s busy and you get to race with other riders. How old are you Tyler?

A: Right now I’m 13 years old.

Q: When did you start riding?

A: I actually started riding quads when I was three and then I began racing quads when I was six until I was nine. When I got my CR60 I rode that for the fall, then over the winter I got my new bike to start the next season. I then moved to a KX65, and now I’m on a KX85.

Q: You sure have progressed very fast considering you’ve only been on two wheels for a few years. How were your 2013 results?

A: I rode a lot of TVR this year and did very well. For TVR year end results, I finished second in the Super Mini class and third in 85cc 12-16. I also rode the Gopher Dunes National where I finished third in 85cc 12-16. I’m pretty happy with how I finished this year. I’m still learning and getting faster so that’s all that matters right now.

Q: One of reasons I wanted to catch up with you was because of how good you’ve been riding at the Chesterman’s Indoor Series. For a kid that rides in the sand so much, you sure ride AX well.

A: Thanks Chris. I think I’m a good technical rider and that is why I do well at Chesterman’s. I enjoy the challenge of riding indoors and I hope do some more as soon as I heal up. It seems like some riders who do really well on outdoor tracks seem to struggle on the tight indoor tracks. I want to be a rider who can do well at both so I work hard on my indoors skills.

Q: It sounds as though you really enjoy riding indoor tracks?

A: I do like riding indoors, minus the cold of course. Some days Chesterman’s can get pretty cold.

Q: That’s cool. When I was young I used to love to ride indoor tracks as well, I think it makes you a better rider as well. Who are some of your favourite riders?

A: My favourite riders in Canada are Tyler Medaglia and Cole Thompson. I’ve seen them ride a lot at Gopher in the last few years. As far as USA riders, my favourites are Chad Reed and Ryan Villopoto.

Tyler has a very smooth style and isn’t afraid to jump.

Q: Those are definitely good riders to look up to. Where do you go to school and what are your favourite subjects?

A: I go to Our Lady of Fatima in Courtland. It’s a small school where everyone knows each other, but it’s fun. My favourite subjects are Phys-Ed and Math. I do well in Phys-Ed and I love the challenge of Math.

Q: Those were my favourite subjects in school as well and for the same reasons. We are only a few weeks away from the New Year. What are your plans for 2014?

A: For 2014, I really want to step up my program. I’m going to try to qualify for the Walton TransCan and also I really want to get into Loretta Lynn’s. I know it won’t be easy to get into Loretta’s but I figure it’s a good time to try. Even if I don’t get in it will be fun trying.

Q: Well Tyler, thanks for doing this. We hope you have a Merry Christmas and we hope you heal up fast. Good luck in 2014. Who would you like to thank for their support?

A: I would like to thank Gopher Dunes Racing, Brian Bonney (Bones) for help with training, Jamie Klein for carting my butt around and mechanical support, my Dad, Greg Evanitski, and my Mom, Mandy Zylstra, for supporting and cheering me on for all these years. Finally, thank you Chris for calling me. I really appreciate it!

With plans to attend the Parts Canada TransCan and Loretta Lynn’s, 2014 is going to be a busy year for Tyler.