Gidley ‘Having Some Fun’ in TKO/Flying Lizard Bentley

Photo: John Dagys

Memo Gidley says he’s using the remainder of the GT America powered by AWS season to “have some fun” with TKO Motorsports and Flying Lizard Motorsports ahead of a potential full-season run with the Bentley Continental GT3 next year.

The 50-year-old Californian, who successfully made a return to racing several years ago following serious injuries sustained the 2014 Rolex 24 at Daytona, has joined the GT America grid this weekend at Road America with an ex-K-PAX Racing Bentley.

The deal to put the now Bronze-rated driver back behind the wheel came through the car’s new owner.

“Dave Traitel from TKO Motorsports, they bought the car and are sponsoring this,” Gidley told Sportscar365.

“It’s just a way to get used to running the car and just being out there in it. 

“Next year, he has plans to maybe do a full season, maybe in GT World Challenge America.

“So right now we’re just running the car. He likes the Bentley and he likes seeing me drive it. And I like driving it. 

“It’s just about getting out there, running a few races and just have some fun with it.”

Gidley got his first laps of the Bentley during a private test at Road America earlier this month with the Flying Lizard Motorsports-run crew.

“We were out here for a couple of days, a week-or so ago. It was great,” he said.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been at this track. Not that I don’t know it, I just couldn’t remember how to get here!

“It was nice to get out here and just do some laps, no pressure, just laps and get used to things, and no sessions or anything like that.

“The Bentley feels good. It’s like a big cruising car that just goes fast.”

While having raced sporadically through the years, this weekend’s event marks Gidley’s first time back in the SRO America paddock since the season-opening round at Sonoma where he was driving a McLaren 570S GT4 entered by Motorsport USA.

The deal with TKO and Flying Lizard has also reunited him with longtime friend and former co-driver Darren Law, who is a co-owner in Flying Lizard.

“The thing in racing is that we all do different stages all the time, most drivers,” said Gidley.

“One minute we’re driving. The next minute we’re coaching. The next minute we’re organizing or managing something. So it’s not strange to be with him as a team owner. 

“He’s a smart guy. There’s only so many people that can be team owners.”

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