McMillin Racing’s New Era Unveiled in the Desert
A new generation begins to shape a new era of McMillin Racing
This past Saturday, April 25, the torch was passed from Mark McMillin to his son Daniel, as the 21-year old San Diego resident strapped into his fathers JIMCO Class 1 racecar for the 186-mile MDRThe King of the Desert race.
Of course, desert racing is nothing new for either of Marks sons, Daniel 21 or Luke 16, as they have lived desert racing since birth. However, until this point in their love affair with the North American deserts, neither has raced in the unlimited high-speed open wheel car classes. Daniel has proven his desert prowess with success in the 1/2 1600 cars over the years, while his younger brother Luke continues to advance in experience each and every race.
The MDRKing of the Desert results speak for themselves, as Daniel McMillin piloted the Unlimited JIMCO Class 1 racecar to second overall. Starting from the fifth position, Daniel, quickly moved through the field in the first 31 miles. Both he and his co-driver, Cameron Parrish, preran the racecourse for two days prior, working together in unison while adapting to the new world of Class 1.
Daniel was first on the road and the first car through Main Pits as he started the second lap. Hes had some time behind the wheel of my car during testing and prerunning, but this was the first opportunity behind the wheel of the fast JIMCO during a race, said a grinning Mark McMillin.
The 21-year-old McMillin racer produced stellar results early during the first 100-miles, only being passed by the eventual overall winner, Shawn McCallum, en route to a solid second-place finish.
We had a great race. The car was perfect and we didnt have a single flat tire all day long. You have to love those BFGoodrich Tires, they are simply magic. We had a car capable of winning today and we led early, but McCallum got around us and he knows this desert as good as anyone out here. We charged hard during the last couple laps and the lap times look good, but we werent making up enough time on Shawn. Well get better as time goes on, as we get a little better acquainted with this JIMCO Class 1. The race team performed phenomenal in the pits and Im going away from this first Class 1 race with a notebook full of notes, commented the beaming Daniel McMillin.
Execution and consistency is the key towards winning and cultivating championships. The team had a great performance today and ran well and theyre plenty fast enough to win races, but this is going to take some time and experience for this new Class 1 McMillin Racing team. The dimension that we have on this team is that Luke isnt that many years off before he moves into a faster car, said Mark as he walked off across the desert grinning.
16-year old, Luke McMillin, kicked off the windy Saturday morning prepared to wreak havoc in his McMillin Homes 1600 car as hes done seven other times. With Chris Cortez navigating from the right seat, the youngest racing McMillin began his eighth race among a field of ten starters battling the barren desert. This particular patch of desolate desert scape is located near the Imperial Valley, which has long been considered the Mecca of off road activities. Luke and his brother Daniel are no strangers to this desert as they have been trekking here since they could walk.
By days end, Luke battled against man and machine for an impressive second place finish, his best day yet in his young racing career. It was nearly a perfect day of racing. We didnt have any problems all day and we just missed out on the win. The car was great today and the Major Racing Engine pulled hard all day long. Same as my brother, I didnt have a flat tire all day long, said the youngest McMillin.
Off road racing is more than simply a passion of life. Its an adventure that has been embedded in the McMillin family tradition for over three decades. Daniel McMillins first Class 1 race may begin to shape the new era of McMillin Racing, but the consistent and legendary heritage from the past generations shines brilliantly when the going gets tough. McMillins just never give up.
Mark, and his son, Daniel, return to the desert on June 13th for the MDR Coyote Wash 200 where the father/son duo will share driving duties in the McMillin Racing Class 1 JIMCO for the summer night race, while Luke McMillin campaigns his 1600 car.
Americas legendary off road racing family will race in the BITD Vegas to Reno 3-day rally style event on August 19-23, 2009. This race will cover over 1000-miles throughout the Nevada desert as an international contingent of desert racers descend upon the United States for this challenging experience.
Mark McMillin will debut his 2009 Geiser-built Trophy Truck in the 2009 BITD Vegas to Reno race. Scott McMillin and his son, Andy, will race their #31 McMillin Homes race truck in the BITD Vegas to Reno as well.
Daniel and Luke McMillin will share the 1000-plus miles of desert racing experience together in the McMillin Homes 1600 car.
