2009 Baja 1000 Champions Scott and Andy McMillin A Race Artfully Crafted!
The #31 McMillin Realty sponsored Trophy Truck, piloted by Scott and Andy McMillin, battled to the front of the entire four-wheel racing field and after a full day’s work, they earned the overall four-wheel victory at the 42nd Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert race.
Andy McMillin - 2009 SCORE Baja 1000 Ensenada Wash
The Baja Peninsulas exquisite mountain vistas and elegant white sand beaches played little part in this years race, other than to afford visitors a splendid backdrop for the greatest off road race in North America. The Pacific Ocean shoulders the west coast and the azure blue waters of the Sea of Cortez line the east coast, while the peaks of Sierra San Pedro Martir mountain range served notice of steep inaccessible rocky terrain that would force racers through some of the steepest terrain and deepest silt beds in the world.
The SCORE Baja 1000 is not just a race, it is an event that draws the curiosity of adventurers worldwide. In honor of the race, Bajas local regions close schools and businesses. Its a festival attended by huge crowds and this year was no different. SCORE International race officials reported an estimated 250,000 spectators fanned out along the rugged racecourse during the 31 hours the racecourse was active.
Baja racing has long been a tradition in the McMillin family. For over three decades, the family has raced together in the Mexico races. Baja racing is a tradition that both Scott and Mark McMillin shared with their father, the late off-road racing legend, Corky McMillin.
Historically, family traditions are preserved and passed down through generations. This year was no exception at the SCORE Baja 1000, as Scott and his 22-year old son, Andy, were companions in achievement; together winning the toughest off road point-to-point nonstop race in the world, carrying on the McMillin family tradition.
The father/son duo faced the ultimate challenge of the Baja wilderness where man and machine are pitted against the rigors of the Baja frontier. The difficulty is always balancing the risk versus reward while racing to the checkered flag at high-speed. Combining hours of tedious driving and managing the unknowns are just some of the many obstacles that race teams face in their run for glory.
This year, McMillin Racing has defined performance at every level with each driver, co-driver and team member. Team Manager/Crew Chief Greg Williams commented, This was definitely an incredible performance by everyone involved. Achieving the top spot has always been the goal, but today each and every team member brought their A-game to Baja and we had a bit of luck as well. We had a flawless mechanical day, and our entire crew executed each step perfectly through the near 15-hour race.
The McMillin father/son racing duo charged their way to the top of the marquee SCORE Trophy-Truck division, driving the No. 31 McMillin Realty sponsored Chevy Silverado race truck through a stacked field of the worlds top off road racers. They defeated a talented lineup in the unlimited truck and buggy classes that braved the 672.85-mile course of torturous desert terrain. Imploring decades of Baja racing experience and race strategy, the dynamic duo earned the top spot with a winning time of 14 hours,19 minutes and 50 seconds, while averaging 46.95 miles per hour. The BFGoodrich Tires backed team had no flat tires throughout the grueling race.
The McMillin racing duo is part of the prominent third-generation racing family that began racing in the mid-1970s led by late-family patriarch, Corky McMillin. This 2009 victory marks the second overall 4-wheel victory in the SCORE Baja 1000 for the young San Diego racer, Andy McMillin. In 2006, he was the second driver for Robby Gordon in a SCORE Baja 1000 race that traveled the length of the Baja Peninsula ending in La Paz, Baja California, Mexico. For Scott McMillin, this win marks his third victory at the prestigious SCORE Baja 1000, but his first Baja 1000 overall win, one that he now shares with his son.
Driving two segments of the race, Andy took the green flag in downtown Ensenada and barreled through the first 206 miles before handing it off to his dad, Scott.
Scott had his work cut out for him, but that did not hinder the San Diego business owner from a grand performance. Scott ventured into what off road racing experts refer to as the most difficult terrain of the race, the San Felipe / Matomi Wash Loop, combined with the Mikes Sky Ranch loop. After nearly 300-miles of massive bumps and deep sand, Scott handed off the truck to Andy with a commanding 13-minute physical lead.
Andy drove the #31 McMillin Realty race truck over the final 173-miles to the waving checkered flag where he was joined by family and team members celebrating another SCORE Baja 1000 victory.
At the finish line, Andy, climbed from the drivers seat and joined his dad, Scott, along with co-drivers Brady Thompson and Todd Tenbroek on the roof of the truck, claiming the Baja 1000 victory.
Andy explained, We had a great race! My dad and his co-driver, Brady Thompson, handed me the truck with over a 13-minute lead with only 173-miles to the finish line. From that point forward, we took it easy and just ran trouble free. This victory is a result of teamwork from everyone at McMillin Racing. The pits were flawless and the prep of the race truck by Greg Williams and his crew was awesome. Kroyer Racing Engines has worked closely with our team to have the best drivetrain possible. My co-driver, Todd Tenbroek, is a suspension-tuning specialist with FOX Racing Shox and hes worked all season perfecting the trucks suspension. The countless hours of testing proved itself here at the Baja 1000. Our 39-inch BFGoodrich Baja T/A KR Tires were absolutely flawless once again and we didnt have one flat tire the entire race. Amazing! My dad really ran a fast race and handed us the truck in first place, Im so stoked that we ran so good today.
McMillin Racings victory at the SCORE Baja 1000 was not without sheer determination and grit. The race strategy combined with the massive logistical challenge worked as a well-oiled machine for the days leading up to the race day and the hard work paid off handsomely in the end.
Scott McMillin commented on his first overall win in the prestigious SCORE Baja 1000, The Tecate SCORE Baja 1000you just dont come down here and decide to race this a month in advance; this takes a whole year of planning. We have a dedicated team back at our shop, about five core guys who work fulltime on this.
In addition, there are another 20 volunteers who are with us at all the races, all the pre-running, all the planning. We just couldnt have done it without all of them. They are as much a part of this win as those of us in the truck. Plus, we have access to each of the five BFGoodrich pits along the way.
This years Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert race will be televised on a delayed basis as a one-hour NBC Sports special, in association with SCORE and Aura360 for the sixth consecutive year. It is scheduled to air on NBC at 2 p.m. (EST) on Saturday, Dec. 19 on the NBC Television Network. It will also air on a delayed basis outside of the U.S. on ESPN International.
Victory at the SCORE Baja 1000 does not mark the end of the 2009 desert racing season for Scott and Andy McMillin. Americas legendary off road racing family will return to the ranks of Trophy Truck racing in search of the Best in the Desert Championship slated to be held on December 5, 2009 in Southern Nevada. The McMillin Realty sponsored team leads the Trick Truck class as they head into the last race of the season with hopes to capture the season championship.
About McMillin Racing
With over three decades of racing experience, the McMillin family represents three generations of accomplished championship racers. Founded by the late off-road racing legend, Corky McMillin, McMillin Racing continues to be respected as a one of the most successful desert racing teams of all time. They are supported by a long list of dedicated family, friends and employees of McMillin Companies, all who make up an incredibly talented group of steadfast supporters. Since 1976, they have raced at the highest level of competition in the deserts of North America. Together as a family, they have multiple series championships, along with significant race victories in both the United States and Baja California.
McMillin Racing symbolizes the ultimate passion in off road racing.
Photos provided by High Rev Photo, Dirt Focus and Dirtnewz
