Rally - Rhys Millen Exposed

2NR: What can you say about the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution's handling and overall performance?RM: Well let's compare the EVO to a WRX, not the STi model. You take both cars straight from the showroom floor and you will see the EVO has a stronger, more agile transmission that can handle well above its factory horsepower. The WRX transmission, on other hand, is potentially maxed out even with its stock rated horsepower. The transmission, the beefy shocks, a stiffer chassis, basically everything on the EVO is just built more stout than the standard WRX. The balance of the car is perfect and makes for an easy and fun car to drive.

2NR: What model EVO do you favor over the years?RM: It would have to be either the EVO 6 or 6.5 which funny enough is mechanically the same as a U.S. version EVOVIII. If you were to look underneath an EVO6 and EVOVIII, the suspension and drivetrain would be almost identical, among other things.

2NR: What are some products that you've tested that have drastically improved the handling characteristics on your test vehicles and racecars?RM: Well we went with Intrax suspension on our cars. Intrax is currently distributors for the Proflex suspension. For me, their Jumbo Rally Suspension was very impressive. We were able to do a lot of fine-tuning with the balance of the car for grip and the suspension took it like a champ, handling the rough roads, which is most important for any rally car. For street driven cars it would have to be the Cusco adjustable rear sway bar. That modification alone is probably the best upgrade you can do to the suspension on the EVO.

2NR: In keeping with the sway bar issue, there are a number of companies that offer front and rear adjustable units ranging from 50 percent to 150 percent stiffness. What do you recommend is a proper adjustment?RM: You're probably looking at 25 percent in the rear because the bar diameter is already stiffer which keeps the car drivable and not tail happy when cornering. On the front, believe it or not, we haven't changed a thing on our cars. The only thing we changed was the spring rates, but sway bars remain factory.

2NR: Records seem to be continuously shattered each time you storm your way up Pikes Peak. In 2001 you raced a Lancer 6.5 to break your previous record that stood in the books as the time to beat. Your father also holds a number of world records climbing the same mountain. How has the Millen family been so successful at Pikes Peak?RM: It really comes down to dedication for the sport and how you want to attack the hill. My father, growing up in New Zealand and being involved in motorsports, believed that Pikes Peak was the pinnacle of where he wanted to be. His goal in life was to climb that mountain. We would go to Pikes Peak and I would drive a rental car up and down the hill when I worked for him, often driving hours at a time up and down the hill, learning the road and figuring out the lines to a point where we felt comfortable running on the terrain. I believe that sort of dedication will show some results. That applies for any sport and not just rally racing, whether it's gymnastics or cycling, and that's what we are like as a family. When we decide to take on a task or feat, we don't-and won't-cut any corners.

2NR: Rally is often regarded as dangerous and deadly in the world of automotive sports. Do you fear for your life or for others each time you enter an event?RM: You can't. You get into the car and push as hard as you're comfortable with. I'm sure most drivers including me have had experiences where we flew over the cliffs, crashed into trees, or rolled the vehicle. Up until that last split second you feel comfortable and capable within your ability. With course conditions always changing, those one or two miles the car was accelerating at seemed fine in the earlier stages but can cause a day-ending accident 30 minutes into the course. You never know what will happen. If you're scared then you shouldn't really race. You should just reverse and park it, because it's definitely not for you.

2NR: What can you say about your fellow drivers and competitors who take their cars to the ragged edge in hopes of winning the checkered flag?RM: I have a lot of respect for anyone who can hop into a rally car because it takes so many factors outside of driving skill: the ability to read roads, adapting to various road conditions, taking natural terrain and using all the information your navigator is giving you and applying it to the road. It takes such dedication to focus on what's in front of you.

2NR: What's in store for RMR [Rhys Millen Racing] in the near future? What can consumers look forward to?RM: I am proud of what I have accomplished with my team members and sponsors. We are really excited about working alongside GM. It's a open door right now and I'm really happy we were there to open those doors wide open with great expectations in the future. Hopefully we will come out and impress some people this year.