Memo Gidley news 2010-09-22

Gidley and the Doran Team Have Successful Continental Tire test

September 21, 2010 (Leeds, AL) -- Two days ago at Barber Motorsports Park was the first time that either driver Memo Gidley, or the Doran Racing team have tried out the new Continental Tires that the Daytona prototypes will be running in next year's Rolex Grand Am Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16.

Although the familiar lead driver in the #77 for the past three years, Memo was forced to step out of the seat in July when the teams budget constraints forced them to put in self funded drivers to keep their season alive. However this past week, Memo was back testing the familiar #77 after Kevin Doran and Continental Tires wanted to get Memo's help to evaluate next year's tires.

"Kevin called and asked if I wanted to tire test and I of course said yes, "said Gidley. "I have always said that new tires are like candy and today I felt like a kid in a candy store with all that fresh Continental rubber."

For the last couple of Grand Am series races, Memo has been teamed up with Wayne Nonnamaker in the #43 Sahlens sponsored GT Mazda RX8.

"I have been having a great time driving with Wayne and working with the Sahlen team over the last couple of races", said Gidley. "And I look forward to getting back in that awesome Mazda."J However today at Barber, amidst 100+ degree temperatures, Memo the Muscle Milk Extreme Athlete logged over 250 miles in the familiar #77 McDonalds Ford Dallara. Continental came to the test with a game plan to test numerous sets of tires having various compounds and constructions changes for Memo and the Doran team to sample and help the Continental engineers narrow down their choice before the 2011 season begins at Daytona in January.

"I was pleasantly surprised with many of the qualities that the new Continental tires have", said Gidley. "Things like how quickly the Continentals gripped up and the overall balance and feel of the tires was quite good. The conditions today with temperatures in the 100's and the humidity at the worst I've felt, was definitely about the toughest conditions that a tire will ever find."

The Doran team never missed a beat all day and was able to get through all the requested Continental tires to run and still have a little more time on the end to help tune their set up for next year.

"I had a great time back with my familiar crew on the #77," said Gidley. "They are all a really tight knit group that has the ability to work together and get a lot done in a relatively short amount of time. Thanks to the team and their hard work it was a very successful test for Continental and the Doran Team...and a lot of fun for me!"

-source: memo gidley PR