Spotlight |Ten Questions with Up & Coming UTV Racer Eva Star Malabanan

Eva Star Malabanan is a 17-year-old high school senior from El Cajon, California. She looks very sweet and kind, which she is, unless she is in your rearview mirror in an off-road race - because she is about to pass you! The daughter of Sean and Tracy Malabanan, both competitive athletes; Sean was on the 2001 USA Surf Team, and Tracy was a competitive English Style Horse rider. Eva, and her 15-year-old brother Ozzy Dio Malabanan, come by their competitive streaks honestly. 

Eva currently sits third in the 2024 SCORE International season points championship for Pro Normally Aspirated UTVs with two events to go - those are the Baja 400 and the granddaddy of all off-road races, the Baja 1000. Two events that will tax her, her Jagged X built Polaris RZR, and her co-driver and father, Sean Malabanan. When asked about navigating his daughter through impossible conditions, Sean said, “Co-driving for my daughter is rad! It has formed a bond between us that is unexplainable. I have so much trust in her behind the wheel, she makes quick decisions and always does the right thing as a racer.”

Life is not without challenges however, as Eva struggles with a social anxiety disorder called Selective Mutism (SM). In an article from The Conversation by Gino Hipolito SM is described as “…An anxiety disorder characterized by a consistent pattern of silence in specific social situations where speech is expected (for example, at school or work) while the person is able to speak comfortably in other situations (such as at home with close family).”

Enjoy a few questions with Eva herself and get to know what it is like being a teenage racer in a predominantly male dominated sport, as well as how SM affects her everyday life and how off-road racing helps with its challenges. Her answers are typically short and to the point, indicative of her SM. Her desire to bring SM into the light and educate people about it pushes her beyond comfortable limits often, but she finds a way.

John Elkin: Obviously, you are no ordinary 17-year-old. A typical 17-year-old lady does not compete in off-road racing at the highest level. Has your first full season in SCORE measured up to your expectations so far? 

Eva Star Malabanan : The 2024 SCORE season is everything I’ve ever dreamed of. Racing SCORE has always been one of my top goals. There’s nothing like racing in Baja. It’s my favorite place to race. The people who live in Baja love off-roading and bring an excitement to it that makes racing there more fun than anywhere else. I’m hoping to get an end of year podium.

JE: The Baja 400 is coming up, how is your car coming along and do you feel confident about a good finish in the Pro Normally Aspirated class? 

ESM: Fox Shocks just got done servicing the suspension and now my RZR is at Benchmark Performance. Chris, the owner, along with my dad make sure my RZR is always in top condition. My dad and Chris have always been the only ones to work on my RZR. They are the best of the best. Because of them I have a very high finishing rate and therefore I am usually confident of a finish.

JE: Pre-running the course is a big part of success in Baja racing. How much time do you devote to pre-running the course and what is your pre-run vehicle? 

ESM: I pre-run with my dad in a stock 2015 Polaris RZR two-seater. For the San Felipe 250 we pre-ran the week of the race and for the races that start and end in Ensenada we pre-run the week before and then do the start on contingency day. Me and my dad take turns driving and just have fun. Typically, we do one lap and take notes along the way. 

JE: Your family has a long history in the sport. Was it just assumed you would always race, or do you remember a specific moment that made you want to? 

ESM: Yes, my family has been racing since the early 80’s. We call ourselves “cuzzins by the dozens” because there are so many of us who race and or help. Although I have been attending races in Baja and in the U.S. since I was four months old it wasn’t assumed I’d race, and I never dreamt I’d be racing when I was younger. It was my mom’s idea after my doctor recommended that I get into sport to help my SM. After many failed attempts of me trying out sports nothing clicked for me. In December 2017 my mom and dad bought me and my brother a kids Odes UTV for Christmas. When we were driving around my mom had a lightbulb moment and asked me if I’d like to race and I said yes. She found the Kuervitoz Kidz races in Baja for me to race.

JE: It takes a lot of parts and money to race off-road, who are your sponsors currently?

ESM: My parents and grandma help me the most. I also couldn’t do it without the help of my many sponsors who help out not only monetarily but with product, services, and discounts.  

My sponsors are Rugged Radios, Baja Bound Insurance, BFG, Shreddy, Baja Designs, Malabanan Racing, Fox Shocks, Benchmark Performance, PRP, Star-Mount Systems, Trinity Racing, Heat Shield Products, and Mobile Sewing Machine Repair.

Malabanan Racing is my dad. He’s always prepped and fabricated my race cars. Baja Bound Insurance was my very first sponsor and have been sponsoring me since my first race in January of 2018. One of the owners, Geoff, is friends with my dad. They both are from the same city Imperial Beach and have surfed together for over 30 years. Mobile Sewing is part of the chase team, and he owns the RZR that I use to pre-run in.

Benchmark has been my mechanic and sponsor since I raced my RZR 170 in 2018. Rugged Radios has been a major supporter for the last three years. Fox has been sponsoring me for the last three years as well as Shreddy. Baja Designs, PRP Trinity Racing and Heat Shield Products have sponsored me for the last two years. BFG officially came on board this year as well as Star -Mount Systems.

JE: Selective Mutism, what is it and what challenges does it pose for you as an off-road racer?

ESM: Selective Mutism is an anxiety disorder that makes it hard to or completely unable to speak in certain situations. I have SM as well as social anxiety which sometimes go hand in hand. Although speaking for me is hard sometimes. I attribute my progress to racing. Having to speak to fans, do interviews and talk at the awards has helped me be more confident in all areas of my life.

Epilogue

As you read Eva has big plans for her life and racing life and she has an army of Cousins and family that want to help her along the way. The businesses that help support Eva Star Racing see her potential as well, and not just little companies either, BF Goodrich, Baja Bound Insurance, and Rugged Radios are major players in off-road racing. 

It was a pleasure to interview Eva; but I would be remiss if I did not thank her mother, Tracy and father, Sean, for their invaluable help as well. Stories like hers come around only every now and then and ATV.com is proud to bring it to you.