Once again, TKO Motorsports has teamed up with driver Memo Gidley to test the team’s new GT3R Porsche. Testing began this past weekend at Buttonwillow Raceway during a Speed SF Track Day and resulted in some impressive lap times and a win for the team.
“I got another call from TKO Motorsports to see if I would get back into their Porsche GT3R for two more days of testing,” said Gidley. “I thought for about half a second and said ‘Yes!’”
Gidley and the TKO team were both getting more familiar with the Porsche and making a few changes for track conditions. For Gidley, it had been many years since he had driven Buttonwillow, but it all came back to him quickly.
It was a great test to simulate a very hot race weekend because the temperature hit 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the afternoon. The team made changes to try to have a fast car with good tire wear as the afternoon track conditions went super-hot.
The team registered Gidley and their GT3R in the Speed SF Time Trial competition to showcase the fastest lap of the weekend. On the 3-mile course, Gidley stunned the Speed SF organizers by clicking off a 1:41:1 lap and beating their existing track record for the fastest car by 11 seconds.
During the awards luncheon, Memo told the other drivers, “I had to carry the car to get that lap!” Laughter erupted as they all knew Memo was kidding. “Bottom line, I feel super comfortable in the Porsche now and the car is just flat out very fast!”
TKO enjoyed the test with the Speed SF group and looks forward to doing more with Memo. “I don’t know what exactly TKO has in mind for the future,” said Memo, “but it was great to be testing the Porsche GT3R again. It was also great to share the track with other Speed SF drivers because they all seemed to like seeing this awesome car run fast laps around the track.”
“Our partnership with Memo continues to grow,” said team president Dave Traitel. “I’m beyond pleased with what I’ve seen so far with him behind the wheel of our GT3R. Many great things are on the horizon for TKO Motorsports.”