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Living in the fast lane
When Milka Duno told her parents that she wanted to be a race car driver instead of a naval engineer, they weren’t very pleased with her new career choice. «What? Are you crazy? Who do you want to drive a race car?» they said. She had to explain that this is what she wanted to do and she was determined to be one of the best drivers in the world.
It was Milka’s competitive spirit that made her change gears and become a race car driver. Whille she was working as a naval engineer, she was invited by a friend to participate in a Porshe Driving Clinic in her Venezuela. The rest is history. «I good hooked immediately», she said. In a lesser way, her passion for speed motivated her to leave her career as a naval engineer, abandon four graduate degrees and move from Caracas to Miami. Since then, she has won several championships. She is the only Latina who races professionally and the first woman in history to win an international sports car race in Noorth America. In 2004, Milka and co-driver Andy Wallace won first place in the Miami Grand Prix.
In perhaps the world’s most masculine proffession, it would seem strange if Milka had not encountered problems. In the beginning, she had to work very hard to earn the respect of the men and make them see her as an equal. «I don’t get any special treatment because I am a woman. Once I put on my helmet, I’m just another driver. And I don’t give anyone a break either.»
If anything, her presence has attracted a whole neew audience and she is seen as a role model for women. Milka is approached by a number of fathers and daughters big races. The fathers come up to her all the time and say, «Milka, my daughter is going to grow up and be a race car driver just like you!» While Milka thinks that is great, she also reminds them how important an education is to people of all ages. In addition, she points out that being an athlete is temporary, buut academic preparation lasts a lifetime.
When Milka is not racing she has a tough fitness routine — she spends several hours a day training and driving at high speeds. The most important thing for her right now is her career. She does not have time for a personal life. «I’m a driver,» Milka says, «and one day, I want to have a family and children. But right now I am focused on racing.»
Despite her achievements and growing fame, Milka Duno is a pleasant, soft-spoken and humble woman. She has a genuine love of racing and a competitive drive to win. Just do not get in her way on the track!