Emily Miller Ready to Hit the Desert

Emily Miller is climbing to new heights.

On Aug. 22, she will become the first female driver to race across the Nevada desert in the legendary 550-mile race from Las Vegas to Reno. In the process, Miller will make history for not only her race outfit – Team Hummer 00 but also for the Best in Desert Racing Association.

Last year it took Team HUMMER over 13 grueling hours to finish first in their class in the longest off-road race in the United States, billed as “the rough drive across the unforgiving desert.” Miller is nothing close to a typical off-road race truck -- she weighs 100 pounds, stands 5 feet tall -- but she has already won several off-roading events and is ready for the new challenge.

How did you get into racing?
Off-road racing legend, Rod Hall, was looking for a new driver for the team.  I was very surprised when he asked me, as I didn’t have any auto racing background.  However, he said he preferred to teach someone with the right attitude, mindset, potential, etc. than try to correct bad habits of someone who has already been racing.  He also said “I can teach you to drive and race, but you have to learn how to win.”

How does it feel to be part of Rod Hall Racing?
Feels great!.  It is a wonderful group of people.  All the team members are incredibly capable and good at what they do. 

Are you doing anything to prepare for Vegas to Reno - the longest off-road race of the season?
Yes...I’m training pretty hard physically.  I will be racing for 12-14+hours and I need to be able to take an excessive amount of pounding.  I am currently at home in Colorado with a daily schedule of workouts.  Pilates, yoga, weight training and cycling are the key components of my training.  The yoga helps to keep my back and hips loose and in alignment.  Pilates really strengthens my core, which is critical.  Being strapped in and pounding – my back and neck take all the impact.  It’s not like skiing and cycling where I can absorb the impact with my knees and hips.  I head to Reno next week to spend two days in the truck before the race.

Is this the type of racing you enjoy?
Absolutely! 

Do you race anything else? 
Not in auto racing.  I’ve raced and competed in other sports, but haven’t in a while.  This has been good for me, because I enjoy competing.  So it has rekindled my passion for training.  I’m a very goal-oriented person, so racing gives me that focus that I had been missing for the past few years.

What are your ultimate racing goals?
Good question! 
•    Overall, be a winning, consistent, smooth, respected driver.  I’m at the beginning of my racing and this will take time and dedication.
•    Specifically – long term, race and win my class in the top rallies and off-road races in the US and Internationally – Baja 1000, Dakar, Australian Safari, East African Safari, Rally dos Sertoes, Vegas to Reno, etc.
•    Through racing, be more actively involved in the auto industry, and be a trusted resource for women.  (One program I’ve really enjoyed is driving for a Michelin / BF Goodrich program.  I’ve been surprise and encouraged by the response to a woman working with their sales people and have found that ahigh percentage of product purchased by women.
•    Continue to race production class vehicles, because I believe it is a great way to showcase their capabilities.

How do men react when they find out you are a race car driver?
First, they usually have a little laugh, do a double take, tell me I don’t “look like a race car driver” and then after about three minutes it seems to register and they actually seem pretty psyched.

What else is coming up for you this season?
In two weeks, I have the TSCO Vegas to Reno.  It will be a long race for me.  I will be working on the marketing and PR for two races in September, and then racing the Baja 1000 in November.  I’m also working on putting together support to do the only all women’s rally in the world.  Held in March,it is nine days of racing in Morocco called the RallyeAicha des Gazelles.

by Linda Przygodski
Contributing Editor
AskPatty.com