Gidley Controls GTA Race 1 at Road Atlanta

Memo Gidley converted pole position into a dominant victory in the first GT America powered by AWS race of the weekend at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

Gidley’s SKI Autosports Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II was never headed after leading the 13-car field to the green flag and duly collected a sixth win from seven races.

The 40-minute sprint contest ran caution-free throughout, allowing Gidley to steadily build his advantage over the pursuing HP TECH Motorsport Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo of Tony Davis.

Gidley, who took the flag 3.208 seconds clear of Davis, also set the fastest lap to secure pole position for Race 2, again ahead of Davis.

The Sebring Race 1 winner was joined on the podium by the R. Ferri Motorsport Ferrari of Marc Muzzo, who staved off considerable pressure from a gaggle of chasing Porsche 911 GT3 Rs to secure third.

Scott Blind was unable to make a move on Muzzo stick aboard his No. 45 Ruckus Racing Porsche and only narrowly clung on to finish fourth as Kyle Washington’s No. 32 GMG Porsche loomed in his mirrors.

Washington was one of few drivers to manage an overtake, recovering fifth place after briefly dropping behind the No. 19 RS1 Porsche of Joel Cortes with a grassy moment at the exit of Turn 7.

A small error from Dave Musial Sr.’s Wright Motorsports Porsche allowed his teammate Jon Manship though to finish seventh.

Lawrence Tomlinson took the GT2 class in ninth aboard his Team LNT Ginetta G56 GT2, while Dave Lecko’s RacingSupport Ginetta GTP8 claimed the Cup class in eleventh.

Racer’s Edge Motorsports driver Jason Bell secured the GT4 class victory in his Aston Martin Vantage GT4 Evo after his sole rival, Craig Lumsden’s Colorado Motorsport with Flying Lizard BMW M4 GT4 EVO, suffered an A/C failure and was unable to continue.

RESULTS: Race 1