Rod Millen pics c. 1986

[thrdkilr]

I apologise for the low quality of these pics:

I was 15 when I snapped them but I thought you may enjoy. This was a local rally in Arkansas ('86 if you noticed) and, being a 15 y.o. and a Millen fan, I was clinging to him like a... 15 y.o.

I was there to assist my friend in his earlier Millen rx-7 (2WD) but was too obcessed with my hero to be of any real assistance.

Rod was always my hero and that weekend was probably the best to meet him as it wouldn't be too strenuous due to it being a low profile event. I'll never forget sitting next to him as he grooved his own tires while I questioned him, he took it all in stride and, as I remember he was giggling as I interviewed him. Just Rod and I, that was fun!

Ahhh, just reminiscing.

Also, that weekend, there was a T16 I also have great pics of. I'll try to post if you care.

[thrdkilr]

It doesn't look like I'll be able to post my pics as I planned. This is a pain.

Edited by thrdkilr on Wednesday 6th April 09:13

[thrdkilr]

[thrdkilr]

This is NOT going well!

[Richard-G]

thrdkilr said:

This is NOT going well!

haha at least you're trying! try and edit the threads or upload the pictured to ph and tick the fourum fit option

or speak nicely to a mod

[thrdkilr]

Tried the forum fit and that didn't work. Hence the 3 posts. AAArgh!!

Mods, can you help?

[chevronb37]

I had a long chat with Rod about his Tacoma truck at the FoS a few years back, having been fascinated by his exploits remotely. A total gentleman and an unbelievable driver.

[thrdkilr]

He was a pleasure to meet! As you said, a true gentleman! And, even with his crew present, he was grooving his own tires! I did ask him why he was doing it and not his crew and he responded:
"I prefer to do it myself"
He didn't suggest that he didn't trust anyone else, it wasn't a precision task. I think he enjoyed doing it. That day, that experience compuonded my admiration for him. His brother is good and his son is a drifter, but that's not Rod's fault. AAnd, look at his current engineering projects! Unfking-believable!

I really need to dig up those T16 pics from the same race. I must admit, they're pretty good for a 15 yo. They are only pit pics but with the rear deck open at night with only shop lights illuminating.

Edited by thrdkilr on Wednesday 6th April 13:48

[EDLT]

thrdkilr said:

I apologise for the low quality of these pics:

I was 15 when I snapped them but I thought you may enjoy. This was a local rally in Arkansas ('86 if you noticed) and, being a 15 y.o. and a Millen fan, I was clinging to him like a... 15 y.o.

I was there to assist my friend in his earlier Millen rx-7 (2WD) but was too obcessed with my hero to be of any real assistance.

Rod was always my hero and that weekend was probably the best to meet him as it wouldn't be too strenuous due to it being a low profile event. I'll never forget sitting next to him as he grooved his own tires while I questioned him, he took it all in stride and, as I remember he was giggling as I interviewed him. Just Rod and I, that was fun!

Ahhh, just reminiscing.

Also, that weekend, there was a T16 I also have great pics of. I'll try to post if you care.

Those ones should be working now.

[thrdkilr]

Thank you sooo much! Don't know what I was doing wrong.

[heightswitch]

chevronb37 said:

I had a long chat with Rod about his Tacoma truck at the FoS a few years back, having been fascinated by his exploits remotely. A total gentleman and an unbelievable driver.

And one of the most impressive runs up lord marches drive I have ever seen!!

N.

[chevronb37]

heightswitch said:

chevronb37 said:

I had a long chat with Rod about his Tacoma truck at the FoS a few years back, having been fascinated by his exploits remotely. A total gentleman and an unbelievable driver.

And one of the most impressive runs up lord marches drive I have ever seen!!

N.

Yes, every time he's been there! Up in the higher echelons with Dr JP in the McLaren F1 & Williams FW08, Justin in the XJR9, and Nick Heidfeld in the McLaren. Still gives me goosebumps to think about them...

[thrdkilr]

That run he made in the Tacoma was sensational. In fact, I think it deserves a link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5Wg3JUcKwM

And he almost bought Range Rover bumper.

There's an philosophy in racing that determines if you have enough HP: If you can leave black marks from the exit of one corner to the entrance of the next... you have enough. He could have easily made 11s all the way up the drive if he wanted to show off!!!

[vtgts300kw]

His birthday party last weekend consisted of him and his mates thrashing ( racing ) his cars up the driveway at his holiday home in New Zealand, that he just happened to make his own hillclimb course out of, bout a mile I think.

[Richard-G]

thrdkilr said:

That run he made in the Tacoma was sensational. In fact, I think it deserves a link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5Wg3JUcKwM

And he almost bought Range Rover bumper.

There's an philosophy in racing that determines if you have enough HP: If you can leave black marks from the exit of one corner to the entrance of the next... you have enough. He could have easily made 11s all the way up the drive if he wanted to show off!!!

holy shizzle! i knew those things were fast but cmon! would love to see that thing do the isle of man

[chevronb37]

thrdkilr said:

That run he made in the Tacoma was sensational. In fact, I think it deserves a link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5Wg3JUcKwM

And he almost bought Range Rover bumper.

There's an philosophy in racing that determines if you have enough HP: If you can leave black marks from the exit of one corner to the entrance of the next... you have enough. He could have easily made 11s all the way up the drive if he wanted to show off!!!

That run was just extraordinary - certainly made me grin while I was eating my breakfast earlier this morning. I remember the first time he brought the Celica over and it was like an R/C car, set up really soft and pitching back and forth under braking and acceleration but so bloody fast. What a hero and how on earth did he not hit that Range Rover in the Tacoma...?

[Animal]

http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=...

Rod Millen on drifting

[thrdkilr]

Richard-G said:

holy shizzle! i knew those things were fast but cmon! would love to see that thing do the isle of man

The driveway just doesn't have enough room to showcase the power of that animal. Isle of Man would be cool and clearly Millen has the marbles to try it. Of course it was built to do this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soQsCyr0hTw

And this is the beast the Tacoma was based on:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF_Kbxj-h5I&NR=...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5WfSZBPosI