JDC-Miller Motorsports will expand into a two-car Prototype operation in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, having placed an order for a second Oreca 07 Gibson that is set to debut next year.

The Minneapolis-based team has enjoyed a breakout rookie season in IMSA’s top class, with Stephen Simpson and Misha Goikhberg currently sitting third in the overall title race with six top-five finishes and two recent podiums to their credit.

Plans are being put in place for a two-car, full-season effort in 2018, which will also likely include the team’s debut in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as previously reported by Sportscar365.

“Campaigning a second car next season is the logical next step in our goal of becoming one of the strongest professional sport scar teams in North America,” said team owner John Church.

“The success we have enjoyed this season is a product of everyone’s hard work and continued efforts to improve.

“Misha and Chris [Miller] have driven like true professionals with neither putting a foot wrong all year and Stephen has continued to demonstrate that he is one of the top drivers in the championship.

“We have also enjoyed a great relationship with ORECA. They have built an excellent race car and have contributed greatly to our success.

“We know our first win in an Oreca 07 is not far away.”

The team expects to take delivery of the car later this fall.

It will mark at least the fourth full-season Oreca-chassied prototype in WeatherTech Championship competition next year, alongside the pair of Penske Acura ARX-05 DPis.

“We are happy to see that JDC-Miller Motorsports is growing year after year,” said ORECA technical director David Floury.

“Heading from Prototype Challenge to LMP2 was a big step, but the team made it successful with great performance and constant progression through the season.

“It shows also the good ladder made by IMSA to allow the teams to access to the top class.”