Driver’s Spotlight – Steve Mill

In this edition of the Sacrament Chapter SCCA Drivers’ Spotlight, Steve Mill has shared some very interesting tidbits about himself and his life. 

Steve Mill has been taking part in Auto-X since 1981. If you do not know him personally, you sure would recognize him by the car that he drives, which is the 1971 Datsun 240Z (with some modifications) and happens to be a legal registered streetcar. This car is the only car that he has raced in AutoCross. 

Steve did not get “introduced” to the sport by any friends, he just knew about it and wanted to try it, so in 1981 he participated in his first race in the Paddock at Laguna Seca, where he ran in C Stock. He got beat by a Lotus 7, that sure surprised him by being in that class to begin with. 

Although he does not have any regular rituals on race days, you will more than likely see him wearing a piece of Z related clothing, which is not a superstition per se, but it is one thing he is known for. Steve does try to keep his preparations simple, but he does check everything before the race weekend, to include the day of, to ensure that he has the things that may be needed ready and packed away in the truck. 

On race days, Steve gets himself ready and pumped up by listing to fast paced rock. Anything from the likes of Def Leppard to the Foo Fighters.

If money was no object, his dream car would be a “True GT 40”. (Although, he does own and races a car that a few folks’ in the club would love as their own dream car. 😊). If given any superpower, he would “NEED” the super-power to figure out what he can do to make his car better along with the money needed to get that accomplished. 

Steve shared that is he could have dinner with one person, that while he does have a list, car related, would be Paul Newman. Paul Newman is a true race car driver and is an avid lover of Datsun Z Race Cars. Steve had heard many interviews with Paul and discovered that he was very serious about racing, who also happened to be very talented at it. Paul was more interested in racing than acting. Quite possibly, the acting was a means to support his racing love. 

Although there is not a specific situation that provides him with the most pride, the racing accomplishment that Steve is the proudest of is that he has been racing the same car or as long as he had. Not only has this been his race car, but it has been his daily driver for a good amount of that time. He has had some very good results with not as many modifications compared to some of the others, he has competed against, and won. If he had more money, then that would really help him in getting the things and modifications he wants to get done, completed. 

Steve said that he does not have a “silly” talent, but he does like to help people. This is clear on and off of the racetrack. Off the track, he has been a special education for many years, and he loves being able to help the parents of some of the most difficult students. It really does take teamwork and a lot of compassion to work with special needs students. His students are sure very lucky to have a support system with Steve involved. On the track, you will find Steve walking around with a very large smile, chatting with everyone he comes in contact with. He is always willing to help out and answer questions and talk cars. You may find him most weekends at Cars and Coffee as well, ever the outgoing personality to help anyone that needs it. 

Besides helping people one of his loved hobbies includes participating in agility competitions with his dogs. Speaking of, if Steve was a dog, the breed he would be is a Belgian Tervuren, which is similar to a police K9, with long hair. They have a great deal of energy and no on/off switch. 

With Steve’s fondness to be fast, one thing that he feels others would be surprised to know about him is that even if he had everything that his car needed to be as fast as it can be, if those modifications made it to where his car is not legal on the street, he would not do it. He does not want to be a “jerk” or a “show-off”, but he does like being able to lean on it a little while pulling onto the highway. He always smiles and waves when he sees someone giving him the “thumbs-up”. The best quote he recalls from some guy at a stop light was “Man, your car is badass”. Steve could not hold back his kind smile and a bit of a chuckle. 

On race weekends, you will find him watching the older vehicles and some of the faster cars. They are never the same. The older vehicles, he enjoys because they are old, and he enjoys watching the fastest ones to battle it out for the top time of day. 

One thing that Steve recommends for anyone to try at least once, is Autocross. He is of the belief that it will make you a better driver, however, you may become addicted and love the challenge of racing. He also said that in this sport, you can meet the nicest people. It is a sport that the entire family can take part in together. (Permitted or driving age of course). To anyone that is new to the sport and the SCCA Sacramento club, his advice is to listen to the rules and information. Most importantly, be safe and have fun. 

The memory that stands out as his favorite Autocross event was when he and his son, Tom were competing together. They order with each other. Tom had a blast with his VW Sports Wagon. Tom mentioned to Steve that it was the most fun racing that he had had in a long time. (Talk about a great father-son bonding moment). Steve has also had many great battles with good friends, but that was years ago when there were a few more cars in the same class as he is.

Although his dream travel destination is Goodwood, his favorite place is ‘The Happiest Place on Earth”, Disneyland with his wife and family. He loves that that place does to her. His wife works so hard and gets stressed at times, so when she gets to Disneyland, she becomes a five-year old and cannot stop smiling. That brings him the most joy. 

Thank you, Steve, for opening up and sharing bits of yourself with the club.