JDC-Miller MotorSports announced it has placed an order for a second ORECA 07 and plans to expand to a two-car effort for next year’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The team, which currently sits third in the driver and team championships of the Prototype category after consecutive runner-up finishes at Watkins Glen and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, will take delivery of the car later this fall.

This season, Minneapolis-based JDC-Miller has fielded one of the Gibson WEC LMP2 spec ORECA prototypes for drivers Misha Goikhberg, Stephen Simpson and Chris Miller. With six top-five finishes in seven races and near victories in the most recent two races, the team has regularly taken the fight to manufacturer-backed efforts from Cadillac, Nissan and Mazda

Team co-owner and managing partner John Church confirmed that an order was placed earlier this week for the team’s second ORECA 07 Gibson-powered LMP2 car with plans for a second full-time entry next season.

“This year has been a big step up for everyone but we have been proud of how the team has been able to handle the transition,” said Church. “Moving to the premier prototype class with a new car and new equipment has been a significant undertaking but we have a great group of people and we were confident we could be competitive. Sitting third in the standings after seven races with two podium finishes is validation of our efforts and gives us confidence to continue on the path we have been on.

“Campaigning a second car next season is the logical next step in our goal of becoming one of the strongest professional sportscar teams in North America.” Church added.
“The success we have enjoyed this season is a product of everyone’s hard work and continued efforts to improve. Misha and Chris have driven like true professionals with neither putting a foot wrong all year and Stephen has continued to demonstrate that he is one of the top drivers in the championship.

“We have also enjoyed a great relationship with ORECA. They have built an excellent racecar and have contributed greatly to our success. We know our first win in an ORECA 07 is not far away.”

Currently leading the race for the Jim Trueman Award, which awards the winner an invitation to the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans, JDC-Miller says it is also exploring options to take in the French classic.

“We have already let IMSA know that if we win [the Truman Award], we will take the invitation and enter Le Mans in 2018.” Church said. “We know that continuing to grow and establish ourselves is important to hopefully being considered for future DPi opportunies. We feel that adding a second car and competing at LeMans are both steps in this direction. We look forward to finishing the 2017 season on a high note and taking delivery of our new ORECA 07 in the coming months.”

John Miller, partner in JDC Miller MotorSports, added:

“My goal has always been to help John Church and his great team compete at the top levels of racing. This year has proven we are very close to achieving that goal. It has been lots of fun and I am lucky to be involved. I can’t wait for the next race and the 2018 season.” 

David Floury, Director of ORECA Technology, commented:

“We are happy to see that JDC-Miller Motorsports is growing year after year. Heading from Prototype Challenge to LMP2 was a big step, but the team made it successful with great performance and constant progression through the season. It shows also the good ladder made by IMSA to allow the teams to access to the top class.

“We have built a strong relationship with John Church, his team and drivers and we are looking forward to strengthen it next year with this two-car effort. JDC-Miller Motorsports has shown the pace of the ORECA 07, being close to win on a couple of races. It’s clearly our common goal for the remaining races.”