TMW
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The McMillins are Back
Passing this along:
When he was at the SF Blues festival, Sal Fish mentioned that he was expecting to see the McMillins racing in the 500.
Jessica McMillin / Chelsea Magness RACE To 3rd in UNLIMITED Class At The 2009 CODE Mexicali 500 Desert Race
McMillin-Magness Ladies TAKE 4th OVERALL Behind CODE 500 OVERALL Winner - Gary Magness
San Diego, California (April 6, 2009) McMillin Racing’s Jessica McMillin once again joined forces with Chelsea Magness in the Mango Racing Pro Truck
for the 2009 CODE 500, held in the northern Mexico city of Mexicali, Baja California.
The dynamic all-girl team crossed the border with an agenda, which was to race hard in search of victory. The two ladies were not far off after a
tremendous performance across the barren Mexican desert.
The young women set the bar high, proving to an international contingent of off road racers, that the formula for success in off road racing doesn’t
always have to be rough and tumble. The all girl team demonstrated their own version of grit and determination, which is often only associated with
wily desert racing veterans of the male persuasion. There is no argument that these are two of the prettiest desert racers ever seen in the desert.
After 400 rugged miles, the girls crossed the finish line in 6 hours, 45 minutes and 57 seconds, averaging 59.12 miles per hour claiming the third and
final spot on the podium for the CODE 500 Unlimited Class. The smiling ladies just missed making the podium for the third position OVERALL by a mere 3
minutes. Gary Magness, Chelsea’s father, won the OVERALL victory in the #70 race truck with a winning time of 6 hours, 13 minutes and 58 seconds while
averaging 64.50 mph.
Charging the #32 Mango Racing Pro Truck first off the line was Chelsea who flawlessly piloted the race truck for the first 200 miles. Magness had no
problems whatsoever while running a rapid pace across the torturous Baja Peninsula. By the halfway point, when she handed the truck off to Jessica
McMillin at the Main Pit, she was only fifteen minutes off the lead truck driven by her father, Gary Magness.
The young lady racer crawled out of the dusty race truck, allowing Jessica to climb into the driver’s seat of the Mango Racing Pro Truck. With dad,
Scott, buckling up his daughter for the second half of the race, McMillin Racing’s Crew Chief, Greg Williams, fueled the race truck as the crew looked
over the vehicle, which was in near perfect condition.
Jessica vaulted the race truck from the pit and headed south into the unforgiving Baja Peninsula desert, focused on blazing a solid pace while ripping
off miles across El Saldana between Mexicali and San Felipe.
Taught to race by her grandfather, Corky, and her father, Scott, Jessica McMillin is a third-generation off road desert racer who has been heavily
involved in the family tradition of off road racing since she was very young. Over the past two decades, she has raced and participated in prerunning
activities with her parents and her brother, Andy McMillin, a SCORE Baja 1000 Champion, as well as all her relatives, who make up McMillin Racing.
Countless times she has forayed along the Baja Peninsula, as well as the remote California deserts, learning to drive off road racing vehicles from
the best racers in the world.
Jessica is the first female racer to ever represent McMillin Racing. She maintains a professional career as an executive with McMillin Realty. Jessica
juggles her busy schedule in order to allow her to fulfill a passion that has followed her since birth.
In the two days leading up to the race, the two racing ladies, Jessica and Chelsea, extensively pre-ran the 200-mile loop race course in Scott
McMillin’s FORD F150 Prerunner truck.
“Racing is a passion and an outlet from my busy daily routine. Chelsea and I have raced together several times before and we have a great time
together. Racing in Baja is something that I’ve grown up with. We pre-ran the racecourse together looking to stay away from the deep silt and big
rocks that Baja is well known for. I’m very comfortable in the Pro Truck and racing with Mango Racing is like racing with my family,” regarded the
young San Diego, California executive.
Jessica charged into the Baja wilds behind the wheel of the Mango Racing Pro Truck fitted with the Baja proven 35-inch BFGoodrich Baja T/A tire that
served both of the drivers well. They survived the entire race without having a single flat tire.
“My uncle, my cousins, my brother and of course my dad, have all raced on BFGoodrich Tires for decades and I wouldn’t have it any other way. My
grandfather, Corky, won many races in Baja on BFGoodrich Tires and I’m thrilled to follow in the footsteps of one of off road racing’s legends, my
grandfather, Corky McMillin,” regarded Jessica McMillin.
Chasing the Mango Pro Truck throughout the 400-mile race in the McMillin Chase truck was Scott McMillin.
“We were able to get to them at both race mile 35 and 155. They both ran a very clean race and finishing in the top three overall is a great
accomplishment. I’m proud of Jessica and Chelsea, they pushed the race truck hard and overcame the elements of the Mexican desert. Finishing on top of
the podium in third overall is a great accomplishment for these two young ladies. Jessica will continue racing throughout the season in selected
races. She continues to excel while racing at top speeds across the desert,” commented a smiling Scott McMillin.
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.
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Bob H
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Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
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Wow, 3 generations! Unreal.
A buddy of mine used to ride in the passenger seat along side Corkey back in the day! His name is Herk Jordan. Most of the McMillians know him well.
He was an amazing guy and knew how to fix or repair anything while racing with Corkey. Some of his stories are amazing.
Thanks for posting this article.
Bob H
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob H
Wow, 3 generations! Unreal.
A buddy of mine used to ride in the passenger seat along side Corkey back in the day! His name is Herk Jordan. Most of the McMillians know him well.
He was an amazing guy and knew how to fix or repair anything while racing with Corkey. Some of his stories are amazing.
Thanks for posting this article.
Bob H |
WHAT... nobody knows HERK?
Bob H
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Woooosh
Banned
Posts: 5240
Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
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Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
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It's good to see they returned to race this year at all.
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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