Hot Rod pioneer and NHRA co-founder, Ak Miller has passed away at the age of 81. Miller began his long association with motorsport in the ’30s, with speed record attempts at places like El Mirage and Bonneville. However, in the coming years Miller would race in a wide variety of racing categories including hill climbing at places like Pikes Peak (where he won) and even road racing. Driving his Model T-based “Caballo de Hierro” (Iron Horse) Miller not only finished 8th in the 1953 Carrera Panamericana, but he drove his car to and from the event, as well! Miller and friend Ray Brock, returned for the 1954 running of the Carrera and improved their finishing position up to a highly credible 5th place.
With his appetite whetted for the thrills of open road racing, Miller set about building a new Kurtis-based racecar the “Caballo de Hierro II” which he entered in the 1957 Mille Miglia. Though the car showed great promise, it retired early on with a broken brake drum, in what would sadly prove to be the last running of the Italian classic.
In addition to his many exploits as a racer, Miller is perhaps best remembered in American hot rod circles for being one of three founding members of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) the organization that would ultimately shepard drag racing into the multi-million dollar sport that it is today.
By Casey Annis
