Been a while...

Ok I have not posted much on here lately but get lots of people looking at it. Say hello or give me an opinion! We had a great fundraiser at The Faultline in LA with a great turnout of support! I would like to thank everyone involved for thier hard work and support to get me to the track. My search for a sponsor is still coming up empty and I would like some opinions on how to get some (or one big one!). I can use a private sponsor to put charities on the car or a commercial sponsor to promote thier products. It is very expensive to race and I am short for Lime Rock (race is May 23-25) and TV broadcast is May 31 at 8/11 pm. This is a great oppertunity for someone to get thier product name or charity of choice out there for the world to see and help sponsor the only active GLBT driver out there today!

I will be doing more fundraisers as the year progresses to try and make races but if sponsorship comes my way I would love to help local charities raise funds. Give it some thought and get back to me!

Evan

Testing

Well after the GTI lost its motor at Daytona, we have it together again. We are taking it to Roebling Road Raceway to test it this weekend for Lime Rock coming up. I have a new agent and we are working with a potential new sponsor for the rest of the season or a few races! I hope this works out as we really need it to continue!

I also will be doing a fundraiser at The Faultline Bar in Los Angeles on April 27 and at Charlies in Phoenix May 3. Come on out and support our cause!

More soon!

Daytona in the books-Lime Rock next!

Well the daytona race is done. I wish it went better but at least we got some great coverage when the motor let go LOL. Here is a copy of the press release:

Daytona, FL (1/28/08) - The GSM/Bildon GTI shows strong pace at Daytona setting the 2nd fastest time of all VWs in the event.

Close, competitive racing marked the first event on the 2008 calendar for the GSM Motorsports VW GTI sponsored by Bildon Motorsport. The Fresh from Florida 200 at Daytona International Speedway was the first event for the team since it's big setback last year which saw the #113 GTI destroyed in at Lime Rock Park.

However this was a new year, and with it, new drivers and renewed expectations. The team arrived well prepared after its successful testing in the weeks prior. The initial practice sessions were uneventful as the team drivers Evan Darling and Mary Katharine settled into a groove working on race setup and practicing driver changes.

When the green flag flew on Friday's race, the GTI made it's move with a strong push early on moving up as many as 5 positions. Throughout the first hour the GSM GTI held it's own and continued to move forward in a very large and competitive field. Avoiding a few crashes that took out a number of competitors was part of the strategy that the team was following, "stay out of trouble and it will come to you".

But this is racing and trouble can find you even when you are trying you hardest to hide from it. By the mid-way point it became evident that the car was down on power. Crew Chief and Team Owner Jon Lewis said "We were fighting what we thought was a computer program or diverter valve failure when we decided to do our driver change just over the mid way point of the race." Once Mary Katharine took control and settled in the real problem showed itself during a routine pit stop in the form of a telltale wisp of smoke. As it turned out the number one cylinder was on its way out, most likely the result of a broken piston ring. The team soldiered on until just before the 10 min mark before before they radioed to driver Mary Katharine to pull off the track to save the motor from further damage.

So with the knowledge that the car when healthy had been turning laps as faster as those in the top 10, the team put the GSM Motorsports GTI 'sponsored by Bildon Motorsport' back in the trailer and headed home knowing that we have a car capable of running up front.

"We are looking forward to Lime Rock, the next event. We want to finish what we started last year, and have a good solid finish, said Lewis.

Thanks to all our friends and sponsors, Bildon Motorsport, Revo Technik, Autotech Sport Tuning, Spec Clutch, Carbotech Brakes & KW Competition.

Note: The Fresh from Florida 200 will air on Speed Channel at 8pm EST February 2nd.

About Grand-Am KONI Challenge
The Koni Challenge, formerly known as the Grand-Am Cup Series (GAC) and its sister series the Grand American Rolex Sportscar Series (Rolex), are North America’s premier platforms for professional endurance road racing. The cars that compete in Grand-Am Cup are production-based, “uni-body” cars running in two classes: Grand Sport (GS), “Sportscars” and Sport Touring (ST) “Touring Cars”.

About Bildon Motorsport
Bildon Motorsport (www.bildon.com) is a company focused on marketing Volkswagen performance and racing equipment. The company is a manufacturer, importer and retailer and offers a complete line of suspension, body, and drivetrain parts for racers campaigning Volkswagen products such as the GTI, Golf, Jetta and Corrado. Bildon Motorsport also offers professional race team assistance with racecar fabrication, parts fabrication and engineering support.

About German Speed Merchants
German Speed Merchants (www.GermanSpeedMerchants.com) is a full service performance and racing operation based in Wilmington North Carolina since 1997. The GSM facility is a 14,000 square feet building with 5 service bays, and dedicated space for race car fabrication and repair. GSM employs 7 full time technicians and support staff. The GSM Team has built 73 race cars ranging from SCCA club racing and autocross cars to a BMW 330 featured in the Universal motion picture The Fast and The Furious.

Further information:
Bill Sulouff, bill bildon.com
Text, photographs and video: http://gsm.bildon.com

Next race Lime Rock! I hope it goes better than last year. Check back for details about the up coming race and to see if I get sponsors!

Daytona Grand Am Koni Challenge!

Well I begged borrowed stole raped and pillaged enough funds (and labor) to race at Daytona on January 25th in the Koni Challenge race. I need to thank Ruff Riders Clothing in Wilton Manors, FL, Chic Optique in Wilton Manors and Dr. Veronica Gipps in Fort Lauderdale for associate sponsorship of the GSM GTI! I need more sponsors to go to the rest of the races but at least I am making it to the first one! My co-driver in this event is Mary Katharine, a World Challenge veteran and great driver. I am not sure how many races she will be doing. This race will be televised on March 4th at 11:30AM on Speed Channel so lok for us! (#113 VW GTI ST Class and the car is white).

Happy New Year Everyone!

Well I lived to 2008...I guess that is good! I am planning on going to Daytona at the end of this month. If I get a sponsor, I will race. If I do not I will be a mechanic. Someone sponsor me!!!

Cheers, Evan

Still Trying!

Although I have not secured sponsorship for next season or Daytona in 3 weeks (hint hint!) I have some great media events set up for next year. I will keep you all informed on the progress! As I have said before I will keep trying. I have recieved many emails of support to keep trying so I will. The season is coming up fast and I am burning the midnight oil to try and get to Daytona. There is a large break in racing from Daytona to the next race so there is time.

On another note, Joe an I are trying to plan for the Fireball Run next year as the deadline is getting close for our entry. If you want to get involved in this great media event please contact me for the details. We were on numerous news broadcasts around the country during the last run so this year should be even better! You can see how we did at fireballrun.com and gaywheels.com (team G.L.A.M.) last race.

Thanks again for the words of support!
Evan

Oh well

It looks like I will be going back to work as a mechanic or service writer. I have tried everything to get sponsorship on the pro level. I have not been successful this year. I am trying to support some great non-profits and be the first Out Pro racer but there is no one to help me in my endeavor. I have tried all the major GLBT friendly companies and been turned down. I have tried to secure an agent or manager aand been turned down. The racing community has accepted me but the GLBT community has not been so supportive. I wish I could say I am racing next year and give the TV dates but without help it just will not happen. I gave it my full effort and wish anyone out there that tries to break into a sport being honest with themselves and the public the best of luck. It is not easy. I have won many races but this is by far the hardest thing I have ever done. I sold my business to pursue this thing and just got turned down by my last big lead. I am now starting my life over. I will continue to work with my race team and continue to try and secure sponsorship but I will not be able to race without support.

Thank you to all that sent me emails of support and gratitude and I will say this. I will keep trying my best to be a good role model and I will keep trying to get sponsored.

Thank you all for reading!
Evan