Mikhail 'Misha' Goikhberg

Mikhail 'Misha' Goikhberg is a Russian-born Canadian racing driver who currently competes in the Prototype class of the IMSA SportsCar Championship.

Goikhberg is driving prototypes since 2012, achieving his greatest success in 2014 when he was the IMSA Prototype Lites champion. In 2016, he was Prototype Challenge class winner at Daytona 24 Hours.

Mikhail 'Misha' Goikhberg

Starting a career in the Russian Lada Cup

Born in November 1986 in Russia, Goikhberg gained his first racing experience in the Russian Lada Cup in 2003. After moving to Canada, he participated in karting competitions before attending Skip Barber Racing School in 2008.

His first racing competitions in North America were Formula Ford Ontario and F2000 Championship Series in 2009. He was driving for Brian Graham Racing, finishing fifth overall and second among rookies in the Formula Ford.

Mikhail Goikhberg joined JDC Motorsports in 2010

Joining JDC Motorsports in 2010

In 2010, Goikhberg joined JDC Motorsports, the team for which he is still driving. He finished third in the USF2000 National Championship, scoring six podiums in the championship races and winning the non-championship round at Laguna Seca.

For 2011, Goikhberg planned to drive in the Star Mazda Championship but, due to lack of sponsorship, he participated in only two rounds.

Prototype racing since 2012

In 2012, Goikhberg and JDC Motorsports made a switch from open-wheel racing to prototype racing. He participated full season in the IMSA Prototype Lites Championship. He scored two wins and ten podiums in the L1 class, finishing in the second place behind Tristan Nunez.

In 2013, Goikhberg was again among the front-runners in the IMSA Prototype Lites Championship, scoring eight podiums and finishing in the third place at the end of the season, behind Sean Rayhall and Ryan Booth.

Mikhail Goikhberg in 2014

IMSA Prototype Lites champion in 2014

In 2014, Goikhberg finally captured a title in the L1 class of the IMSA Prototype Lites Championship. He was a dominant driver through the season, scoring six pole positions and winning nine races. He won the $100.000 'Mazda Road to the 24' scholarship and moved up to the IMSA United SportsCar Championship in 2015.

He made a debut in the premium sports car championship in October 2014, driving an Oreca FLM 09 for JDC/Miller Motorsports at Petit Le Mans, sharing a car with Chris Miller and Stephen Simpson.

2015 – first full season in the IMSA SportsCar Championship

In 2015, Goikhberg spent a full season in the #85 JDC/Miller Motorsports Oreca FLM 09, finishing the season fourth in the Prototype Challenge class of the IMSA SportsCar Championship. He scored three class podiums at Daytona 24 Hous, Detroit and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

Goikhberg was the only full-time driver in the #85 Oreca. Over the year, he was sharing a car with seven different co-drivers: Chris Miller, Rusty Mitchell, Stephen Simpson, Tristan Vautier, Gerry Kraut, Zach Veach and Matt McMurry.

2016 Daytona 24h Prototype Challenge class winners

Class victory at 2016 Daytona 24 Hours

For the 2016 IMSA SportsCar Championship, Goikhberg teamed up with Stephen Simpson as his full-time co-driver in the #85 Oreca FLM 09. Their teammates in endurance races were Chris Miller and Kenton Koch.

They clinched PC class victory at Daytona 24 Hours and then won the Long Beach Grand Prix. They added one more podium at Petit Le Mans to finish third in the final PC class standings.

Goikhberg's ride in 2017: #85 Oreca 07-Gibson

Fourth place in the IMSA Prototype class for two years in a row

In 2017, Goikhberg and Simpson stayed in the #85 Oreca, but it was a new Oreca 07-Gibson in the Daytona Prototype class. Their endurance co-drivers were Chris Miller and Mathias Beche. In their debut season in the premier class, Goikhberg and Simpson scored two podiums at Watkins Glen and Mosport to finish fourth in the final standings. At Daytona 24h, they were fifth, at Sebring 12h, they finished fourth.

The maiden IMSA Prototype class victory came in 2018 at 6 Hours of Watkins Glen, together with Stephen Simpson and Chris Miller in the #99 Oreca of JDC-Miller Motorsports. Goikhberg and Simpson finished fourth in the points again.

In 2019, Goikhberg was driving the #85 Cadillac for JDC/Miller Motorsports, sharing it with Tristan Vautier. They finished 11th in the final standings of the IMSA Prototype class.

Photos: JDC Motorsports,