FMO Racing teammates Memo Gidley and Charles Chi had a solid first weekend running the IMSA Prototype Challenge Race at Barber Motorsports Park during the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama on April 20-21st.
“For me it was fantastic to be back in a prototype LMP3 car working with FMO Racing and my teammate Charles Chi at an IMSA event, and Barber Motorsports Park which is a track I really enjoy,” said Gidley.
Gidley wasted no time in the IMSA event second practice by putting the FMO Racing #88 Norma LMP3 second quick against some very hungry competitors and teams. “I like this car, it has very good grip especially in the high speed corners, and it takes a certain level of smooth aggressiveness and commitment to get the most out of it,” said Memo. “It is nearly the same lap time as the last Daytona Prototypes I drove here at Barber a few years ago… but with a little more grip and a little less power… a nice balance!”
Co-driver Charles qualified the car 23rd and handed it off to Memo in 15th place. Memo then drove his way into the top 10 with a 10th place finish. “I am happy with how the weekend worked out for us,” said Gidley. “The new FMO team took delivery of this new Norma LMP3 car less than two months before this race. They also had never run an IMSA race before and I thought we did great. The future feels bright with FMO Racing!”
Then this past weekend, Memo switched gears – literally – by entering “Basic Instinct” and his crew in the famous YRA Great Vallejo Race and took home an overall win in their class! The Great Vallejo event is a two day race in the SF Bay that has been held once a year for the last 118 years. This year’s event featured 165 boats in 19 different classes and many great sailors.
“The passion and intensity in a race like this is strong…like I am used to and enjoy in car racing so much,” said Memo. “There are so many details that you and your crew must be on top of to have a good finish. I love the challenge and a win on ‘Basic Instinct’ with my crew is the big enjoyment!”