IN
THE
WIND
P52
MARK MILLER CALLS IT A CAREER
M
ark Miller has decided to
hang up the leathers at
the age of 46. Miller made the
announcement on Saturday,
December 17, via his Face-
book page, one that saw a ton
of well wishes and congratula-
tions on one of the longest
careers in AMA and roads
history, and we caught up with
him at the Warner Bros. lot
in Burbank, California, where
he's currently working on a
short film for the production
giant.
"It (retiring) has been on my
mind for a while," Miller said,
"but I still had the fitness and
the drive to race. I also wanted
to get out with my health in tact. I've
had a great career, and I've had two
goes at it having retired back in 2003
and switching to the roads. I'm really
happy with the decision to finally retire;
it feels like the right time," Miller said.
Miller leaves the sport having com-
peted in 13 Isle of Man TTs, 17 Macau
Grands Prix, and the North
West 200. He's also a very
accomplished racer in AMA
Pro Road Racing competition,
having amassed 20 profes-
sional podiums, one win, 11
fastest laps, nine pole posi-
tions and six lap records.
"When I started, my goal
was to make it as a profes-
sional racer," he said. "By the
time I was in my third season
I was getting paid and that
lasted for the next 13 seasons
of AMA racing, so I've been
fortunate.
"The last few years on the
roads, I've been riding differ-
ent bikes like Aprilia and EBR
that didn't have the outright speed of
something like a BMW and therefore
didn't really have the pressure to win
on," Miller said. "That's worked out
great because I've had a different reac-
tion from the fans and it's been a hell
of a lot of fun, too."
Miller will now focus on expanding
his career in the film industry, predomi-
nately in writing.
"I'm involved with films quite a lot now and
this is where my future lies. I'm writing all the
time and doing work with Warner Bros. so I
want to put all my energy into that, but it is time
to stop racing now, and I couldn't be happier.
Thank you to everyone that has helped me in
my racing—the names are too many to mention
here, but you know who you are!"
Miller wrote a fantastic piece on just what
it's like to race the Macau Grand Prix for
Cycle News, and you can read it by clicking
here. CN
(Above) At 46, Miller
is moving onto a new
chapter in the film
industry. (Below) Miller
in action between the
walls of Macau. The
California resident
has been America's
greatest exponent of
real road racing.
