Desert Racing 101: Why It’s Way Harder Than You Think - Ryan Millen

In this episode of The Creative Drive, we’re joined by Ryan Millen — off road racer and member of one of America and New Zealand's most iconic racing families. Son of Rod Millen and brother to Rhys Millen, Ryan has forged his own path from formula cars to rally stages, winning in the American Rally Association, working with brands like Toyota along the way and now desert racing in trophy trucks.  We get into Ryan’s unique journey, the pressures and perks of a legendary last name, and how he blends performance with personality in the age of motorsports storytelling. From his take on off-road racing to content strategy for modern drivers, this conversation is packed with insight, humor, and a look into what keeps Ryan creatively driven. Watch or listen now.  0:00 Cold opening 1:00 Host Taro Koki Introduces Ryan Millen 01:45 What the last name Millen means 03:33 Sponsor message 04:27 How Ryan Millen started rally racing 08:00 What's so difficult about desert racing? 12:00 Growing up on Pikes Peak 14:30 Toyota rally sponsorship and Two Roads to Baja 17:10 Racing Porsches in Siberia 18:15 Rally racing Toyota RAV4 25:00 What it was like having a girlfriend as a co-driver 28:33 Creating content and being a racecar driver 30:15 Father Rod Millen lived in the golden era of rally 31:45 Racing with Terrible Herbst spec trophy trucks  37:30 Almost getting run over at Baja 500 39:45 Innovation in desert racing actve dampers and 4 wheel drive  44:40 Difference between Dakar and Baja racing 47:40 Off road racing promotion landscape 52:45 Rapid Fire with Ryan Millen 57:10 Ryan Millen thinks Who's Boost'n It 01:01:20 Ryan Millen's Creative Drive Follow Ryan Millen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryan_millen_ Follow RACER on YT: https://www.youtube.com/@Racer.HQ Follow RACER.Podcasts on IG: https://www.instagram.com/racer.podcasts  Follow RACER.HQ on IG: https://www.instagram.com/racer.hq/ Follow RACER Network on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ racer_network  Follow host Taro Koki on IG:https://www.instagram.com/tarokoki99/ 🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts. Sub to RACER Magazine and RACER+ app at https://offers.racer.com/bundle #TheCreativeDrive #ryanmillen #rally #CarCulture #desertracing #baja1000 #rodmillen #ContentCreators #Motorsports #toyota #RACERPodcast #trophytrucks #offroadracing #CarBuilders