ACO Confirms JDC-Miller, Keating IMSA Auto-Invites

Photo: Rick Dole/IMSA

The ACO has confirmed that JDC-Miller Motorsports and Keating Motorsports have received the IMSA-nominated auto invites to next year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

As expected, both teams have been awarded the entires courtesy of winning IMSA’s Trueman and Akin awards, for the highest-placed Pro-Am driver in the Prototype and GT Daytona classes in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Mikhail Goikhberg teamed with Stephen Simpson for multiple overall podium finishes in JDC-Miller’s No. 85 Oreca 07 Gibson, with Keating and co-driver Jeroen Bleekemolen taking their Riley Team AMG Mercedes-AMG GT3 to a runner-up finish in the GTD class championship.

Goikhberg’s invite transfers directly to JDC-Miller’s planned Le Mans debut in LMP2, with Keating understood to be able to use his invite for GTE-Am.

The Texan utilized his invite last year to a field a Riley Mk. 30 Gibson in LMP2, although Keating has since sold the car to BAR1 Motorsports.

The complete entry list for the French endurance classic will be revealed on Feb. 9.

JDC Finalizing Le Mans Plans

JDC-Miller team principal John Church says they are still finalizing details for its Le Mans effort, including drivers and sponsorship.

The Minnesota-based team announced Monday a new partnership with GAINSCO Auto Insurance, which will sponsor one of its cars in the WeatherTech Championship next year.

“At this point we’re still working through the whole Le Mans entry but we anticipate utilizing that and participating at Le Mans next year,” Church told Sportscar365.

“Some of the details have not yet been talked about yet. We certainly have a few other people [in addition to GAINSCO] that’s interested in that program as well.

“At this point we plan to be there.”

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