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The 2022 season started off on the right foot for the Unitronic JDC-Miller MotorSports team kicking off the new year with two weeks back-to-back at the world center of racing, Daytona International Speedway. First up was the ROAR Before The 24, which is the official pre-season test for all IMSA competitors, which consists of 3 days of testing with multiple on-track sessions per day. This gives the teams and drivers the opportunity to get back in the rhythm of things and test the adjustments they have made to their cars in the off-season.
Photo by Sideline Sports Photography LLC
Having skipped out on the ROAR last year, the team opted in for 2022, with the goal of being better prepared for the BMW M Performance 200 taking place a week later. The test couldn't have gone much better for the #17 entry of Mikey Taylor and Chris Miller with both drivers logging a large amount of laps and reporting a great feeling within the car. Finishing the ROAR first of the TCR runners thanks to a great lap by Chris Miller, the team looked forward to a strong race event!
Photo by Sideline Sports Photography LLC
Track action for the BMW M Performance 200 started with wet and rainy conditions, much different to sunny conditions during the ROAR. Nevertheless the team attacked the weekend with conviction, finishing fastest in practice one, second in practice two, and first again in practice three. Qualifying brought a challenge to race engineer Cole Scroghamand and the #17 crew, as conditions were mixed between wet and dry, so selecting the right tires proved to be a tough decision. The crew decided to stick with wet tires much like 90% of the TCR field, which would turn out to be a critical decision. Leading most of the session and eventually sitting in second place with a few minutes remaining, the track started to dry and two gambling competitors who had chosen dry tires rose up the order and demoted Miller to a fourth place starting position.
Photo by Sideline Sports Photography LLC
Knowing that the #17 Audi RS 3 LMS SEQ had so much speed in it, the team’s strategy was to take it easy on the car, and bide their time over the course of the four hour endurance race. For the first 45-minutes the plan went off without a hitch, as Chris Miller led the TCR field comfortably while saving brakes, and tires throughout the first stint.
Photo by Sideline Sports Photography LLC
Unfortunately that is when disaster struck and coming out of turn one, Chris reported to the team that he had lost drive and it sounded like an axle issue. Stranded on track, Miller received a tow back to the pits and the team went to work replacing the broken axle. Miraculously the Unitronic JDC-Miller crew was able to swap in a new axle within 35 minutes and get the Audi back out there to try salvage any championship points. Through consistency and speed the team was able to leap frog a number of cars having issues and finish the race with a top 10 in class and valuable championship points which could make a big difference at the end of the season.
Photo by Sideline Sports Photography LLC
“It is really unfortunate our chance of victory ended that way. I think everyone could see that we had the speed to win, and I know how hard everyone on this team has worked over the off-season and these last two weeks in Daytona. Getting the car back out there after the issue shows what a great team spirit we have and we’ll fight all the way till the end. Really proud of everyone on this team and our effort this year, we’ll make some changes and come back stronger at Sebring!” said the US based South African, Mikey Taylor.
Photo by Sideline Sports Photography LLC
Next event for the team will be the Alan Jay Automotive Network 120 at the notorious Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Florida. On track action begins Wednesday, 16th March at 9:50 AM ET. Tune into IMSA.com for timing and scoring results, and follow along via the UNITRONIC social media channels for behind the scenes action. You can also stay up to date on our activities, learn more about the team, our pro drivers, the #17 RS 3 LMS TCR race car, our tremendous sponsors and shop for team merch on getunitronic.com/motorsports!
About Unitronic®
UNITRONIC® engineers industry-leading aftermarket performance enhancing software and hardware for Audi®, Volkswagen®, Seat®, and Skoda® cars worldwide. Best known for its performance software engine and transmission calibrations, Unitronic enhances vehicle performance while maintaining complete OEM-like reliability and drivability. Unitronic’s UniCONNECT+ Programming and Diagnostic Interface empowers Unitronic Clients to safely reprogram their engine and transmission control modules from the comfort of home, anywhere in the world. Learn more about Unitronic's competitive advantage at www.getunitronic.com
About JDC-MILLER MOTORSPORTS
JDC-MILLER MOTORSPORTS is a world-class multiple championship winning sportscar racing team, with a total of 18 championships, 60 wins, 57 pole positions, and 195 podiums, most of which coming by way of their Prototype class programs running in the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship. Highlights include an Overall Win at the Six Hours at Watkins Glen in 2018, 2017 Winner Extreme Spirit Award, and 2017 Winner Jim Trueman Award, providing the team an automatic entry into the 2018 24 Hours of LeMans. Learn more at www.jdcmotorsport.com
About LIQUI MOLY USA – Canada
LIQUI MOLY USA – Canada is a subsidiary of LIQUI MOLY GmbH, a global motor oil and additive company based in Germany selling products in more than 150 countries. LIQUI MOLY offers more than 4,000 items globally covering automotive, powersports, commercial vehicles, boats and watercraft and more. LIQUI MOLY USA - Canada is actively involved in motorsports in numerous capacities highlighted by teams in IMSA USA and IMSA Canada, TC America and Trans AM. Learn more at www.liqui-moly.com
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