Growing up in Moree where there’s no race track, the 31-year-old has never had the opportunity to participate in motorsports, so he turned to the next best thing – digital simulation.

Evans is so passionate about the sport he’s even created his own simulator featuring a wheel and pedals to enhance the experience of playing Xbox games such as Forza Motorsport and spends about three hours a night honing his skills.

He is currently ranked number 14 in the world on one of the tracks in Forza Motorsport.

“I created a simulator in the backyard with wood; it’s got a wheel and pedals and I’ve made a seat and everything,” Evans said.

Now Evans has the opportunity to sit behind the wheel of a real race car after being chosen to compete in the 2017 Aussie Driver Search.

The Aussie Driver Search is an Australia-wide competition which allows anyone an opportunity to get into motorsport, based purely on talent, not their bank accounts.

With motorsport often out of reach to the average person due to the barriers involved, the biggest being the huge cost, competitors of the Aussie Driver Search have the chance to get behind the wheel of real race cars and compete against others for some life-changing prizes.

Evans was one of 7,000 people from all over Australia who applied for the opportunity and he has now been selected as one of 282 people who will be competing across three classes – pro, amateur and rookie – in a qualifying round at Morgan Park Raceway in Warwick, Queensland on Tuesday, August 29.

Originally applying for the rookie competition due to having no real-life experience, Evans was shocked when he received the call to say he has been chosen to compete in the amateur class.

“[The Aussie Driver Search] came up on Facebook and one of my mates tagged me in it and just for a bit of a giggle I applied,” Evans said.

“When the competition phoned me, I could not believe it, I was blown away. I guess I had too much experience for the rookie event, so threw me straight into the amateur class.

“It’s a big deal for me because I have no on-track experience.”

As part of the amateur competition, Evans will get to drive a Toyota 86 and Nissan Pulsar and will be judged on his speed, consistency, car control and mechanical sympathy.

The amateur prize is a $20,000 racing budget to spend however the winner pleases.

“That $20,000 can set you up with your career,” Evans said.

“If I was to make it and get that first spot, next year the opportunities are open to do the Bathurst six-hour in April – I wouldn’t mind buying myself a spot in that.”

With the race cars getting up to speeds of between 180 to 240 kilometres per hour, Evans said he’s a bit nervous about driving a real car but confident in his simulated preparation.

“It’s very daunting, I don’t know what to expect,” he said.

“I’m confident I’ll do well as long as I hold my head high and don’t let the butterflies get to me.

“I’d like to think I do [have a chance]. I’ve obviously been selected for a reason, so perhaps the judges do as well.

“The main thing I’m worried about is getting in that seat having never had on-track experience.”

Because Evans had planned on competing in the rookie event, he didn’t budget for the amateur class – which costs $1,600 to enter as opposed to the $600 rookie entry fee – and so now is hoping to raise some money to help him get to Warwick in August.

A GoFundMe page has been set up with a goal of raising $2,200 to go towards his competition fee and licence.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, I’m just trying to get some support,” Evans said.

If you would like to support Dallas’ dream and help him get to Warwick to compete in the Aussie Driver Search, go to https://www.gofundme.com/3vfvucw to donate.