JDC-Miller Targeting Frederick for Full-Time Seat in 2027

Photo: Jessica Johnk/Porsche

JDC-Miller Motorsports is aiming to have Kaylen Frederick in its Porsche 963 for the full IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season next year according to team principal John Church.

The Minnesota-based team, the series’ only privateer GTP entrant, brought the 24-year-old former British F3 champion into the lineup this year for the Michelin Endurance Cup races, in what has come as his sports car racing debut.

Frederick scored his first GTP podium at the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen, teaming with longtime full-season pilot Tijmen van der Helm and Porsche factory star Laurin Heinrich, and came home second with the same lineup in last weekend’s Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix at Road America.

The two Michelin Endurance Cup podiums come in addition to Heinrich and van der Helm’s breakthrough overall win in the two-hour and 40-minute race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in May.

“It’s been a shot in the arm for everybody and definitely a morale booster,” Church said on the team’s performance this year.

“For us, it helps us validate all of our hard work and investment in the program. It makes it a lot more fun coming to the track.”

When asked about JDC-Miller’s plans for next year, Church said they’re still working out the financials but intend to be back with its 963.

“That’s all true and none of it is together yet,” he said on the budget. “I couldn’t tell you 100 percent what we’re doing next year at this point. But that’s always the plan (to return).”

Church confirmed that he would like to see the ex-Formula 3 Championship and Super Formula Lights driver to be one of its full season drivers.

“Yes, we hope to have him with us for a full year next year,” said Church of Frederick.

When asked about whether van der Helm, who has been in JDC-Miller’s Porsche 963 program since the start in 2023, Church said: “I’m not sure.”

Sportscar365 understands that the 22-year-old Dutchman is unlikely to return.

Church admitted that having another Porsche factory or contracted driver alongside Frederick in the car for next year could be an option as well.

Heinrich, who joined the team at Long Beach, will move to a full time seat at Porsche Penske Motorsport next year.

“I don’t know if that’s an option yet,” said Church on having another Porsche driver again. “We’re talking to some other guys as well, as always. There’s always options.”

Porsche Motorsport boss Thomas Laudenbach told Sportscar365 that supplying a contracted driver again to JDC-Miller could again be possible if it fits within their drivers’ schedules. “If possible, we’re prepared to do it,” he said.

Frederick “Definitely” Wants Full Season Drive Next Year

After getting his first taste of sports car racing this year, Frederick feels he could take another step in his career should he be able to land a full-time deal.

“I would definitely love that for next year,” he told Sportscar365. “I think you really need it, in order to do this program. GTP is such a tricky car to drive, you really need to be in it as often as possible.

“So the more track time you get, the better it is.

“We definitely want to be doing a full program next year.”

Frederick admitted that only having a limited season program around the five Endurance Cup rounds has made it difficult, especially in his first campaign.

“Everything’s pretty new this year,” he said. “I think Daytona was great, having the Roar and all the testing to get used to the car.

“It’s been more challenging at the recent events where we’ve had limited track time to learn the tracks and everything.

“It was good that I got up to speed with the car then.

“It’s also tricky not being in for the sprint races, just doing the endurance runs because I had a few month gap of not driving a car from Sebring to Watkins Glen.

“That was pretty tough. And then jumping in, with the limited track time, and being on the money was difficult.

“Overall I’m pretty happy with how I’ve been doing.

“Obviously I’ve got some stuff I could improve on for sure but I have to be realistic. I’ve only done three races in endurance and in this car, so it’s a lot to adjust to.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John