What began as a ritual of weekend trips to the sand dunes with family and friends back in the 60's, has evolved into one the most prolific off road race teams in history - McMillin Racing. After spending many weekends at Gordon's Well, with Mark and Scott driving dune buggies around the camp in circles, they decided to expand their buggy trips to off road racing in Mexico.

Together with friends Ralph Paxton, Leonard Greaser and Don Hendrickson, the McMillin’s were absorbed by the competitive spirit associated with off road racing and what was once a long weekend of camping has morphed into one of the most successful off road racing teams in all of history."

They began as spectators and later as participants. Now they are held to the highest esteem in racing circles by many of their peers.

In the early days, the race team was born with a Class 9 Car (1200 cc engine) that beckoned to family patriarch, Corky McMillin. He became a race team owner and driver."

As the racing hobby progressed, equipment failures often exceeded the successes. They knew they liked racing and Corky decided that if they were going to do it, they would do it right. He recognized the importance of the right plan, the right equipment, detailed preparation and most of all, safety for everyone involved.

Through the years, McMillin Racing moved from Class 9 in the 70's to Class 1 (Unlimited Buggies), as well as Class 8 trucks in some events.

For over 30 years in the making and fielding multiple generations of racers, McMillin Racing continues to be a dominating force in the world of desert racing. Presently, the team races two Trophy Trucks, a JIMCO Class 1 and two JIMCO 1-2 1600 cars, among four different desert racing series.

McMillin Racing was the first ever four-wheel team to finish ahead of the two-wheeled iron horse (motorcycles) and they have been a formidable presence in off road racing for over 30 years.
It is a source of pride that the team now includes three generations of McMillin racers. Corky McMillin, who described himself as "over the hill and picking up speed," always maintained his energy and enthusiasm for the sport until his passing in September 2005.


Corky's family and friends were extremely proud when he was inducted into the Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2006 - a truly great honor. His numerous wins are reflected not only here online, but in the hearts of off road racing fans worldwide.

Mark McMillin began racing with his dad in 1976. He is a five-time winner of the SCORE Baja 1000 and many other races.

Scott McMillin joined Corky and Mark two years later, becoming one of the best competitors in the sport. He has notched numerous wins, won the SCORE Driver of the Year and won the SCORE Baja 500 overall with his father twice.


Andy “Bebo” McMillin races the McMillin Realty Trophy Truck. He captured the 2006 SCORE Baja 1000 Overall Championship racing down the peninsula and ultimately climbing onto the roof of his race truck in triumph, along the sea shore of the Bay of La Paz. Andy drove to victory in 2009 at the famed “Parker 425,” earning the Overall Victory.” He was also named the “DIRTsports Driver of the Year-2009. Andy, racing with his father, Scott, continued their racing success throughout 2009 and in November, the McMillin Racing father/son duo raced the #31 McMillin Realty SCORE Trophy Truck and captivated the world with a dominating victory at the biggest race of the season, the SCORE Baja 1000.

With the success of 2009, the 2010 season kicked off with great results as Andy drove to victory at the season opener in the SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge. A few months later at the 2010 SCORE Baja 500, Scott, drove a near perfect race in the final 250-miles of one of the toughest Baja 500’s in many years, earning the victory.

Daniel McMillin, who cut his off road racing teeth driving a ½ 1600 car, was widely successful with several successful top finishes placing in the top tier of the competitive 1600 class. In 2009, Dan’s father, Mark, put him in the JIMCO Class 1 car and since, Dan has not looked back. In 2010, Dan led the SCORE overall points’ race among the high competitive SCORE Class 1 field. He earned his first SCORE Class 1 podium at the SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge and backed that up with a second place finish at the ever so torturous SCORE San Felipe 250. Dan continues his march towards a potential 2010 season championship with only the 1000-mile granddaddy of all races between him and winning a championship.

Following in the footsteps of his extended family, Luke McMillin, the youngest son of Mark McMillin races a Class 1-2 1600 car and has raced his way to his first victory in 2010 at the MDR Coyote Wash 200. Over the past couple seasons, Luke has earned podium positions in several different series. Luke has been involved in racing since the age of 6 years old and when he was 12 years old he began racing with his dad in Class 8. In his rookie season racing among the highly competitive 1600 class, Luke is fighting among the leaders in the season championship point’s chase in the SCORE Desert Series. Luke heads into the final race of the year, the SCORE Baja 1000, where the score will be settled and a champion crowned.

Jessica McMillin races the McMillin Realty Score Lite / Class 12 car. She has demonstrated her tenacity behind the wheel of an off road race truck as well as the nimble Class 12 car. In 2010, Jessica suffered a shoulder injury that forced her to have shoulder surgery and she will return to her racing efforts later in the season.

Cameron Parrish serves as co-driver, manages the Mark McMillin’s race shop and while maintaining the fleet of off road racing vehicles. Veteran off road racer, Chuck Hovey joined McMillin Racing in 2009 and splits duties behind the wheel of the Trophy Truck with Mark McMillin.

Greg Williams oversees Scott McMillin’s race shop and manages the intricate preparation of the McMillin Realty Trophy Truck, Prerunners and race cars. Co-drivers in the #31 McMillin Realty Trophy Truck are racing shock specialist, Todd Tenbroek-FOX Racing Shox, and Brady Thompson, a seasoned off road mechanic and co-driver.

McMillin Racing has an ongoing allegiance of friends, employees and associates, which has resulted in one of the largest followings of any team in the sport of off road racing.

Welcome to today's McMillin Racing, three generations of Baja Champions.

 

McMillin was one of the greats of the sport of desert racing.
Written by Dominic Clark, 9/23/2005

Corky McMillin

With the news of the death Thursday, September 22, 2005, of Corky McMillin, prominent San Diego businessman and one of the pioneers of SCORE desert racing as well as the family patriarch of McMillin Racing -- the first three-generation race team in SCORE history, Sal Fish, SCORE President and CEO, reflected on the passing of his dear friend.
"Corky McMillin was a man among men and truly from the mold of the league of extraordinary gentlemen and it is a tragic loss to truly thousands of people who have been touched by this great man’s life," said Fish, who has led SCORE International desert racing since 1974.

"At 76, not only was Corky the oldest regular in the SCORE Desert Series, but his long and generous life was an inspiration to all of us. As courageous a fighter as he was and as fierce a competitor, he will be remembered best of all for his generosity and the legacy of McMillin Racing he has left for all of us to enjoy. His son’s Mark and Scott are reflections of their father and his grandchildren are following in the same tracks left by their ‘Grandpa’.

Corky was a role model for us all and he truly was a remarkable pillar from the world’s ‘greatest generation’. To say that we will all miss him is a gross understatement. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the McMillin family and McMillin Racing during this most difficult time."

Among Corky McMillin’s SCORE desert racing accomplishments:

SCORE Desert Series regular since 1976
(nearly 150 starts in 29 seasons)

Three-time SCORE Class 2 season point champion -- 1981, 1985, 1987

SCORE Baja 1000 -- 1985: First Place, Class 2

SCORE Baja 500
-- 1994: First Place, Class 1
-- 1986: Overall & First Place, Class 2
-- 1983: Overall & First Place, Class 2

SCORE San Felipe 250
-- 1984: Overall & First Place, Class 2
-- 1983: Overall & First Place, Class 2

Yokohama 6-50 Club champion (drivers over 50)

Featured driver, Dust2Glory movie, 2005

McMillin Racing—Three-generation 2005 SCORE Desert Series team:
-- CLASS 1
* Mark McMillin, currently first in points (with one race remaining)
* Andy and his father Scott McMillin, currently third in points
* Corky McMillin, currently fourth in points
-- CLASS 1-2/1600
* Daniel McMillin (Mark’s Son), currently 16th in points.

 

 


 
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