SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1545899
A RISING STAR Eva Star Malabanan Is Making A Name For Herself Story by Stuart Bourdon Photos by Get Some Photo UTVs have become one of the largest and fastest-growing off-road racing classes. In just a handful of years, these small but powerful four-wheeled vehicles have become a portal through which drivers, young and old, can get a taste of the exciting and competitive world of SCORE International Off-Road Racing without spending the equivalent of a down payment on a new house. One of those is Eva Star Malabanan. Her journey into the world of SCORE racing really began in 2007 when she was just four months old. Malabanan is a third-generation racer, following in the footsteps of her father (Sean), grandfather, uncles, and cousins, all of whom have raced. Her mother, Tracy Malabanan, told us, “Eva was born into racing. She and I chased her father and his friend Eric Solorzano, a SCORE Legend racing their Class 11 car all the way to LaPaz during the Baja 1000 that year. We always took our kids to the races, and when they were very young, they rode recreationally, but not in competitions.” In first grade, Malabanan was diagnosed with selective mutism, which makes it difficult for her to speak under certain stressful circumstances. Her parents tried a number of sports to help her feel more comfortable talking to people, but it was racing that made the biggest difference. Because the family was often in Baja, they got her into the Kuervitoz Kids UTV racing series held throughout Baja and the UTV Racer Championship in Mexicali in 2018. As Tracy put it, “It was life-changing! She was runner-up the first year and class champion the second year in one, and class champion two years in a row at the other. Eva became more comfortable talking to people, and I think it had so much to do with being in an environment where she felt comfortable, confident, and successful.” When Malabanan was 16 years old, she decided to begin racing in SCORE events. Up to that point, she had been doing all the driving. In SCORE races, her goal was to do as much of the driving as she could, then have her navigator (Dad) take over when needed. It turned out to be a recipe for success. Malabanan did so well that she was SCORE’s 2024 Rookie of the Year, and finished as UTV Pro NA season runner-up in 2024 and 2025. This year, Malabanan is racing a Polaris RZR Pro R in the UTV Pro Open class. When asked what she enjoyed most about racing, Eva replied, “speed.” Tracy told us, “She has scared her father sometimes because she drives so fast.” Eva said her ultimate goal is to someday “race in Class 1.” We have no doubt Eva Star Malabanan will achieve anything she decides to set her sights on in the future. SJ • Malabanan achieved success in SCORE in the Pro UTV NA class and has now moved into Pro UTV Open