Born in Caracas, Venezuela and residing in Miami, Florida, Milka demonstrated from an early age a desire to achieve and the dedication necessary to succeed. As a young woman she quickly recognized the value of education as the first step on her path to fulfilling her dreams.
In addition to being one of the most successful female sportscar racers in history, Milka is also a qualified Naval Engineer with four master's degrees - in Organizational Development, Naval Architecture, Fishing and Aquaculture and Maritime Business – earning the last three degrees simultaneously.
In 1998 while working as a Naval Engineer, Milka was invited by a friend to participate in a Porsche Driving Clinic. The rest, as she says - is history. Captivated by the precision and mechanics of motorsports, Milka instantly realized that racing stimulated her passion for challenge and competition. She quickly discovered that she was meant to be a race car driver.
Milka is the first Latin American women driver ever to be classified "expert", and her professional driving career reaches new heights each year. She has participated in many international races and has driven a wide selection of race cars, including the Porsche Super Cup, Ferrari Challenge F-355, Formula 2000 Dodge, Reynard Dodge 98E, Panoz GT-RA, Dodge Viper GTS, Coloni Nissan CN1/C, Reynard-Judd 01-Q, Lola B2K/40/Judd, Dome S-101/Judd, Panoz Mugen LMP 900, Pontiac Riley Daytona Prototype and Honda Dallara Indy Car. Off the track, Milka has been featured in advertising and marketing campaigns in the USA and outside of the USA. Milka also strives to participate in activities and appearances to support the value of education to children of all ages.
She also just completed filming her first major motion picture role. Milka plays the role of Kellie “Gearbox,” a race car driver, in the highly anticipated Speed Racer movie that is based on the 1960’s classic animated series. The Warner Bros. movie is scheduled for release on May 9, 2008. At the same time her bilingual kids book, "Go, Milka, Go!" hits stores. The book depicts her as a cartoon character teaching the importance of education to children of all ages.
Milka Duno Racing Highlights
2007 - IndyCar Series.
She was the first Latina to qualify and race in the Indianapolis 500. Milka qualified 29th out of 33 cars at an average speed of 219.23mph. Milka has also competed at the IndyCar Series races at Kansas, Texas, Iowa, Richmond and Michigan, with a top finishing position of 11th at Texas.
- Rolex Sports Car Series.
Scored a 2nd place finish in the legendary 24 Hours of Daytona, she was earning the highest finish ever by a female driver in the 45-year history of this famed race.
2006 - Rolex Sports Car Series.
Became the first woman in Rolex-era to score a top-ten finish overall in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January - Duno finished the 24-hour race 8th overall.
2005 - Rolex Sports Car Series.
She finished in 2005 season 8th in the Driver Point Standings.
She earned the 3rd Rolex Series overall win at Le Circuit Mont Tremblant, Quebec.
2004 - Rolex Sports Car Series.
5th in Driver Point Standings, 2 Wins, 5 Top-Five Finishes, 10 Top-Ten Finishes.
She was the first woman to win overall a major international sports car race in North America.
She was the first woman to twice win overall a major sports car race in North America.
She was the first woman to drive the fastest cars in the Rolex Series – the Daytona Prototype.
- American Le Mans Series Championship.
Class Win – Petit Le Mans LMP 2 Class.
She was the first woman with two class wins at Petit Le Mans.
2003 - Europe’s World Series Light by Nissan Championship.
- VIP Driver – Porsche Supercup race as part of Formula One Grand Prix of Spain.
2002 - American Le Mans Series Championship–LMP 900 Class.
She was the first woman to drive the fastest cars in the American Le Mans Series – LMP 900.
- The 24 Hours of Le Mans, Le Mans, France.- Europe’s World Series Light by Nissan Championship
Europe’s Open Telefonica World Series.
She was the first woman to race the fastest cars in the Open Telefonica World Series.
2001 - American Le Mans Series Championship – LMP 675
Vice-Champion Driver – LMP 675 Class, 4 wins – she was the first woman to win the prestigious Petit Le Mans.
- Europe’s World Series Light by Nissan Championship.
She was the first woman in history to score points in this prestigious series.
- The 24 Hours of Le Mans, Le Mans, France.
- The 24 Hours of Daytona, Daytona Beach, Florida.
2000 - Panoz GT Series Championship
She won her first auto racing title in a Panoz GT Winter Series Championship.
- Barber Dodge Pro Series
- Ferrari ChallengeShe was the first woman to win a Ferrari Challenge race in the USA.
- American Le Mans Series GTS ChampionshipShe debuted in the American Le Mans Series in a Dodge Viper GTS and finished third in class in the 2000 season finale in Australia. She was the first woman in history to finish in the podium in this category in the American Le Mans Series.
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