JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963 GTP program ready for Rolex 24 at Daytona

JDC-Miller MotorSports had a very productive off-season and is highly confident regarding its prospects for the Rolex 24 and the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech Championship season. The team has put together a very solid driver line-up for not only the Rolex 24 but the entire IMSA WeatherTech Championship season. A recent Daytona test confirmed the team’s confidence in its position going into the upcoming season.

All the team’s 2023 partners and sponsors are back on-board for 2024. This includes Porsche Motorsport NA and its affiliates as well as Trofipack, S3S Saltworks, Wiha Tools, OMP, and Justice Brothers.

The driver line-up brings considerable Rolex 24 experience. Richard Westbrook returns to Daytona where he made his first start in 2007, also in a Porsche. He has competed in the race 16 times. Ben Keating has competed in 14 consecutive Rolex 24 hour classics and for the 8th time in two different cars. He will again this year be participating in two classes, GTP and LMP2. Both Phil Hanson and Tijmen van der Helm have previously competed in the Rolex, Hanson in 2018 and van der Helm in 2023.

The JDC-Miller Motorsports Porsche 963 GTP will wear car number 85. 85 is the number it ran for several successful years, including a Rolex 24 class win in 2016.

Quotes:

John Church, Managing Partner, JDC-Miller MotorSports

“What a difference a year makes. Last year at this time so much was unknown. We knew all the GTP teams would have a steep learning curve with the new hybrid platform. Our challenge a year ago was that we didn’t know when we would start down that road and so many decisions and activities could not be kicked off until the car was in our hands. Once the car arrived for the 5th round of the season at Laguna, everyone involved did tremendous work to catch up with the other teams as well as learn as much as possible about the new cars, especially the Porsche 963. A huge thank you to our people as well as Porsche Motorsports and its partners on both sides of the Atlantic for their stellar effort.

Almost everyone involved with the team in 2023 has returned for 2024. Tijmen van der Helm is returning from last year and is getting faster with each race. We are incredibly happy to have Richard Westbrook and Ben Keating returning from our 2022 DPi effort. Ben will be doing double-duty in both prototype classes. For such a young man, Phil Hanson has a tremendous amount of experience in WEC including a Le Mans class win and an LMP2 championship. We are starting the new season with a great knowledge and experience base which these days is critically important. This will allow us to make another step forward as a team. “

Tijmen van der Helm, No. 85 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963

“I’m really looking forward to the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech Championship season. In 2023 everything was new to me. The team, the cars, the series, and especially all of the tracks. For the coming year I can build on all that I learned last year and concentrate on going faster and winning races.

The team now has experience with the Porsche 963 GTP and I am confident that together we can turn that into results.”

Richard Westbrook, No. 85 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963

“I can’t wait to kick the 2024 season off and I’m so happy to be back with JDC-Miller MotorSports and racing in IMSA again. It was nice to get a feel for the 963 in December and the car felt really balanced. It was also really nice to work with Tijmen and Phil and, of course, Ben again where we shared the DPi in 2022 and ended with a fantastic podium. It’s going to be a long hard season but nothing better than kicking it off with a strong result at the Rolex 24 at Daytona.”

Phil Hanson, No. 85 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963

“I’m excited to kickstart my year at the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The race never disappoints, and competing for the overall win only adds to the spectacle. It will be my first race weekend with JDC-Miller MotorSports. In the past few years, the team has a history of strong races at Daytona so I’m keen to see what we can bring to the fight.”

Ben Keating, No. 85 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963

“I am thrilled to return to JDC-Miller MotorSports for the Rolex 24. The experience of getting an overall podium with the team in 2022 was incredible. I think it went well enough that both the team and I were eager to do it again. The Porsche 963 GTP is a lot of car to figure out. Part of the thrill is that it is a very different experience from just hopping in a GT car and driving fast. I am honored that the team is allowing me to be the only Bronze-rated driver to ever compete in an LMDh/Hyper car. I think my LMP2 championships have earned me the right to be here, but it still is a big step and a big responsibility. I am excited and nervous, which is very close to the same emotion! The anticipation is incredible.”