full-time profession. Evans became so well respected in the Hollywood community that she became a pioneer in stunt work just as she had in trials riding. Evans began performing stunts that had previously been restricted to male stunt performers. She performed stunts on many of the top movies from the 1980s to present. She has been recognized for her accomplishments by winning numerous awards for her stunts, including a prestigious Taurus World Stunt Award in 2002. “I enjoy the adrenaline rush of stunts – being able to do something I’m really good at and being paid for it,” Evans said. “It thrills me to no end to have the police blocking off the street and I come down and do my thing – something I’d normally get thrown in jail for.”
By 1980, Evans had retired from full-time motorcycle competition to concentrate on stunt work and raising a family. She and Lane had three children. But Evans’ stunt work required her to stay in peak physical condition, and when women’s trial competition finally began to take hold, Evans jumped at the chance to return to the sport. In 1998, Italy hosted the first unofficial Women’s Trials World Championship (formally recognized by the FIM starting in 2000). After 18 years away from the sport, and at 40 years old, Evans still had enough skills to finish eighth. The next season she lead a U.S. squad that finished third overall in a Women’s Trials Team competition. In 2002, Sherco/Bultaco signed Evans to compete in the FIM Women’s World Trials Championship. In addition, Evans competed in her first road race at Daytona in February of 2002 as part of an endurance racing team.
On the personal side, Evans married three-time U.S. Trials champ Lane Leavitt. The two collaborated in business ventures, including teaching trials schools and Evans has been featured in numerous articles, not only forming a top stunt work agency. Evans’ sister, Donna, in motorcycle publications, but also in general interest is also a leading women’s trials rider in her own right. magazines such as Reader’s Digest and Glamour. Evans was named as Honda’s factory rider for the highly publicized Vetter High-Mileage Contest in 1982. Strong winds coming off the Pacific Ocean knocked over the totally enclosed streamlined 125cc Honda and the damage kept her from finishing in the prescribed time. Even though the motorcycle lost some of its fuel load in the crash Evans was able to squeeze an amazing 276 miles per gallon out of the Honda.
Evans will always be remembered for her pioneering legacy in the sport of trials and for her accomplishments in the world of Hollywood stunt work. Artilce and information sited from www. motorcyclemuseum.org/hallof fame.
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