Michelle Miller

Michelle Miller is a rally racing co-driver and full-time instructor at DirtFish Rally School who has become one of the most respected navigators in American rally, combining her teaching expertise with a fierce competitive drive that’s earned her multiple championships and podium finishes.

EARLY YEARS

Michelle’s path to motorsports started in the most relatable way possible: she had a little extra cash after college and a 1982 Mazda RX-7 that was begging to be modified. Working alongside her husband Chris, they turned that RX-7 into an autocross weapon and jumped headfirst into SCCA competition. What began as weekend fun quickly evolved into a full-blown obsession—track days, club events, and a growing collection of performance cars that included BMW E39s, M3s, and Z-chassis models. By the time she joined the BMW CCA in 2007, Miller had already racked up three SSCA Solo championships and was volunteering as an instructor with multiple car clubs including SCCA, BMW Club, Porsche Club, and Bremerton Sports Car Club[1][2]. She wasn’t just driving fast; she was teaching others how to do it too.

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond the rally stages, Michelle and Chris built an impressive stable of performance machines that reflects her appreciation for driving dynamics across different platforms. Their garage has housed an S54-powered Z3 M coupe, a Z4 M Coupe, an E36 M3, and a MINI Cooper—proof that her automotive tastes run deep and varied[3]. The couple’s shared passion for building and racing cars has been the foundation of both their relationship and her motorsports career.

EARLY SUCCESS

Miller joined DirtFish Rally School full-time in 2013, trading volunteer instruction for a professional role that would eventually reshape her career trajectory[4]. By 2015, she’d made the leap from driver to co-driver, a transition that proved to be exactly where she belonged. Her debut in the American Rally Championship came with fellow DirtFish instructor Sam Albert, and the pair immediately showed they weren’t there to make up the numbers. In 2017, DirtFish owner Steve Rimmer handed her another challenge: managing the school’s operations while continuing to compete[5]. Rather than choosing one path, she crushed both.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2018: Finished 3rd overall at Lake Superior Performance Rally co-driving with Sam Albert in the DirtFish Subaru WRX STI Rally Car; also placed 3rd in the ARA National Co-Driver’s Championship[6][7].
• 2022: Co-drove with Lucy Block for Hoonigan Racing Division as Lucy tackled the open four-wheel class for the first time[8][9].
• 2024: Claimed the L2WD championship in the American Rally Association alongside driver Richo Healey, a former student she’d taught at DirtFish, in a Lexus IS350[10][11].
• 2024: Secured a hard-fought class victory at Rocky Mountain Rally alongside driver Vincent Trudel, navigating through challenging Canadian rally stages[12].

INSPIRATIONS

The unique dynamic between Miller and Richo Healey—where the student became the driver and the instructor became the co-driver—speaks volumes about her approach to both teaching and competition. Their 2024 L2WD championship run included a nail-biting 0.4-second class victory that showcased the harmony they’d developed both in and out of the classroom[13]. Miller has also been vocal about the incremental work required to advance women in motorsports, emphasizing that “it’s all of the work everyday that makes the big differences” rather than waiting for one massive breakthrough moment[14].

REPUTATION

As a DirtFish senior instructor and competitor, Miller has become a cornerstone of the school’s Women in Motorsport initiative, serving as both mentor and role model for aspiring female racers. Her ability to balance full-time instruction with a competitive rally schedule—often competing against or alongside her own students—has earned her respect throughout the American rally community. Whether she’s teaching stage craft to newcomers or calling pace notes at 100 mph through forest stages, she brings the same level of precision and commitment. Her work with Lucy Block during the Hoonigan Racing years and her championship run with Healey demonstrate her versatility as a co-driver who can adapt to different drivers, different cars, and different competitive environments.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Miller continues competing in both the American Rally Association and Canadian Rally Championship, with entries confirmed for events like the 2025 Lake Superior Performance Rally[15]. She remains deeply involved in DirtFish’s operations and instruction program while pursuing additional competition opportunities alongside her husband Chris in their Ford Focus rally car.

REFERENCES

[1] My SCCA Life: Michelle Miller – Sports Car Club of America
[2] Michelle Miller | BMW CCA PSR Website
[3] Michelle Miller | BMW CCA PSR Website
[4] Michelle Miller | BMW CCA PSR Website
[5] Michelle Miller | BMW CCA PSR Website
[6] Employee Spotlight: Michelle Miller, Instructor – DirtFish
[7] 2018 Championship Standings – American Rally Association
[8] Hoonigan Racing Division Announces Wild 2022 Race Plans
[9] The School Report: Our Very Own Hoonigan – DirtFish
[10] ARA National Championship Gets Gritty – American Rally Association
[11] 73-Car Field Packs ARA Season Finale – American Rally Association
[12] A Canadian Return Rewarded with a Hard-Fought Class Win – DirtFish
[13] The Student Guiding His Teacher to a 0.4-Second Class Win – DirtFish
[14] Delivering the Women in Motorsport Message to the World – DirtFish
[15] Richo Healey – Michelle Miller | Lake Superior Performance Rally 2025