Wednesday, January 16

Tyler Evans to leave Metal Mulisha?

By Eric Johnson

This morning, Tyler Evans called Eric Johnson in the Racer X West Coast news bureau to inform us that there is a very likely possibility that he will race round three of the 2002 EA Sports Supercross slated for Edison International Filed in Anaheim, California this Saturday evening aboard a Fast by Ferracci factory Husqvarna.

"The guy from Husqvarna is supposed to call me back today," said Evens via his cell phone. "If we can get the money thing down, I just might do it."

Impressed with the Californian's early season speed aboard a jet-black, privately-backed Honda CR250 (for the record, Evans has been supported by Clawson Motorsports, FMF and Brian Deegan and the Metal Mulisha), Husqvarna contacted Evans this week and arranged a test for him to ride recently injured Steve Lamson's factory Husqvarna 250 at Lake Elsinore. "I rode Lamson's bike yesterday and it really impressed me," offered Evans. "It's already better than my bike - not to say that anything was wrong with my bike at all - and I was able to adjust to it in five laps. I mean right there I felt like I could race it."

Rapidly gaining a fan following in the West Coast stadiums, ostensibly due to his connection with the Metal Mulisha, Evans feels that the deal is a bit of a trade off: "Some things could be good and some things could be bad," Evans said referring to the fact that the Husky deal will take him away from Mulisha backing. "I mean there are some things about being a privateer that certainly aren't good. Going with Husqvarna can help me make up things like hotels and travel expenses and entry fees."

A self admitted individual who seems to excel better when not pressured by team bosses, Evans, after doing a little bit of footwork, believes the Fast by Ferracci program just may be a good fit for him.

"You know I've asked around to find out if the guys on the team are pushy," Evans conceded. "In the past, it's when people get pushy with me that I get frustrated and make mistakes. But I've heard the main guy with the team (Mr. Ferracci) is pretty chill and kicked back; he's not the kind of guy that's down your throat, you know, "get out there and ride the bike!"

After making the show at Anaheim and just barely missing the main at San Diego with a third place finish in the LCQ (although he did score $250 from the Racer X Gas Card), Evans, who has become something of a fan favorite, is really enjoying himself. "Oh man, I'm loving it. It's all so cool," he said. "And it's funny because I actually felt better at San Diego than I did at Anaheim. My plan is to make the main event and get better each week. I'd love to do this as a privateer, but it's really hard. The Husqvarna deal could really help me to excel."

Notorious for losing his cool on more than one occasion in the past few years, does Evans believe that the personal melt down and on-track altercations are now a thing of the past? "Oh yeah, for sure. I learned a lot in the last two years. I mean I mistakes every day but I'm learning from them. I'm learning to keep a level head and not get upset and pout when things go wrong."

Added close friend Cameron Steele who phoned in from the X Games in Aspen, Colorado to relay some additional information on the potential Evans/Husqvarna deal: "Tyler Evans with a factory ride? I never thought I'd hear that," said Steele who helps advise close friends Evans, Brian Deegan and Jeremy Stenberg with various deals and public relations work. "But he can really do well with this deal. Tyler just needed a push and a calming voice in his ear. With the Husqvarna I really think he can be a top 12 rider. Some of the other factory-backed riders better start worrying about the Man in Black because Evans is coming for them."