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What looked to be a breakout weekend for the Unitronic JDC-Miller MotorSports Audi team ended in bitter disappointment when an issue with the team’s sequential gearbox took them out of contention while running 2nd and fighting for the victory with 18 minutes remaining in the two-hour endurance event.
Photo by Sideline Sports Photography LLC
Coming off the back of a dominant performance at Sebring in March, the #17 team was confident heading into the third round of the championship at Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca after grabbing a pole position and fourth place finish in 2021, the Minnesota based team was looking to move up a few spots in 2022. The weekend started about as good as it could have with the driver pairing of Mikey Taylor and Chris Miller finishing 1st and 4th in the only two practice sessions on Friday, focusing more on the long-distance race pace on older tires rather than outright speed due to the Laguna Seca racetrack being known for its abrasive surface taking a toll on the Michelin tires over the course of a one-hour fuel stint.
Photo by Sideline Sports Photography LLC
Saturday morning brought a compressed schedule with Qualifying, and the race only separated by a few hours. As is the case with most races, driver Chris Miller took the qualifying duties as the driver who qualifies is also required to start the race. Pushing hard and laying down some fast laps, Miller was able to set a very competitive lap time of 1:33:180 slotting him into second place behind the factory supported Hyundai #98.
Photo by Sideline Sports Photography LLC
The race kicked off with a bang as the TCR and GS field combined to form one combined start compared to the usual split start, thus causing Miller to have to bob and weave his way through the back markers of the GS field and at the same time making his way to the front of the TCR field by passing the #98 Hyundai on the opening lap. From there Miller did a phenomenal job managing the traffic and his speed extending his lead to over 7 seconds! Several caution and green flag periods later with some alternate fuel strategies by each team dropped the #17 down the order but Miller quickly brought the car into the pits just beating another safety car period with some great strategy by the engineer and the team was able to jump up the order into second place.
Photo by Sideline Sports Photography LLC
With over one hour remaining, the team instructed South African born Mikey Taylor to save fuel and tires to have a chance towards the end of the race. Sitting behind fellow Audi competitor Road Shagger Racing and in front of the chasing pack of Hyundai’s and the lone Alfa Romeo, Taylor managed his fuel and tires knowing he had some good pace in the Unitronic Audi to make a charge at the end. With 18 minutes remaining the fast Alfa Romeo made its way past the Hyundai’s and into 3rd position. Knowing that he didn’t want to get caught up with a battle between the Alfa and the Hyundai’s Taylor started to pressure the #61 Audi ahead for the lead and just as he was about to make a move into turn one, all hopes were dashed as Taylor radioed into the team that the car had lost drive and it felt like a gearbox issue with the SADEV sequential gearbox. An unfortunate end to a brilliant run and weekend for the Liqui Moly supported team.
Photo by Sideline Sports Photography LLC
Next event for the Unitronic JDC-Miller MotorSport team will be at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course beginning Thursday, May 12th. 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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