South African motorsport racer Mikey Taylor and his teammate Chris Miller of Team Unitronic JDC-Miller recently clinched the 2024 IMSA TCR Championship at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in the USA.
“I like to say I started racing right out of the womb; motorsport runs deep in my blood,” Taylor shares. With a grandfather who was a top technician and a father who raced on both two wheels and four, his passion for motorsport is part of his heritage.
Vic Maharaj, CEO of Motorsport South Africa, says this championship win is a testament to Taylor’s dedication and a positive story for South African motorsport.
“This win is inspiring because it shows local racers there are alternatives to Europe, and that these don’t always involve GT-type cars,” said Maharaj. “Mikey has achieved incredible success in the US. We agree with his view that there’s greater longevity in American motorsport, particularly in sports car racing, where drivers can compete at a high level well into their 50s.”
Taylor acknowledges Europe’s appeal but believes the US holds untapped opportunities for coaching and long-term careers.
“Seeing my fellow classmates Jordan Pepper and the Van Der Lindes thrive in Europe is amazing, but I chose the US thanks to my manager and close friend, the late George Fouché. He was a legendary racer himself and felt the US was a better long-term option, especially with the multi-driver formats in sports car racing, which help manage costs compared to single-seater racing.”
Taylor credits the strong work ethic and resilience he developed in South Africa for giving him an edge internationally.
The US motorsport scene
On racing culture in the US, Taylor describes it as welcoming but competitive. “Opportunities come easier once you’ve built a reputation, but like most things in the US, money talks. Racing here is very expensive compared to Europe. However, they excel at fan engagement and putting on a show—it’s off the charts!”
Most of Taylor’s career in North America has been in the IMSA sports car series, regarded as one of the world’s premier sports car championships.
“IMSA is a professional series through and through. It’s less about tempers running high and more about professionals doing their jobs, understanding their competitors are doing the same. Racing in events like the Daytona 24-Hour and Sebring 12-Hour, with crowds of 100,000 people, has been a dream come true.”
The championship
After 10 thrilling rounds of IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge racing, the Unitronic JDC-Miller Motorsports team emerged victorious as the 2024 IMSA TCR champions.
“The season was marked by intense battles and unforgettable moments,” Maharaj said. “Heading into the final race at Road Atlanta, the team stayed focused, and their hard work paid off. This win is particularly special as it validates years of dedication. MSA is proud to have followed Mikey with keen interest from his first karting days at Zwartkops to his current success.”
Taylor was equally elated. “This victory is a testament to everyone’s effort. People don’t realise the level of competition in IMSA TCR right now. Beating factory-supported teams like Hyundai, with their incredible driver line-ups and programmes, is a huge achievement. “For our small, one-car team to break their stronghold means so much. A big thank you to our partners who stood by us through thick and thin.”
What’s next?
The team is now set to step up to the GT4 class, partnering with Porsche.
“It’s an exciting challenge,” Taylor said. “We aim to replicate our success with Audi in the TCR class in the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Club sport. Funding is always the biggest hurdle, but I’ve learned that everything is built on networking and connections.
“I even built a business out of this principle—Out There Brands—which supplies 70% of sports car racing teams and other series like NASCAR, IndyCar, and Trans Am with custom displays and apparel.”
Despite his success abroad, Taylor remains proudly South African. “I hope my journey inspires others to consider building their motorsport careers in the US. There are so many opportunities to make the sport proud.”
PREPARED ON BEHALF OF MOTORSPORT SOUTH AFRICA BY CATHY FINDLEY PR