It wasn’t the picture perfect race for Memo Gidley in round #4 of the DJSA Outlaw jet ski series this past weekend, but then again, just to come away from the “Widow Maker” in one piece is seen by many as an accomplishment.
With the course surrounded by 10ft high concrete walls, and the large and completely unpredictable waves that bounce off of them, just making it around one lap at race speed without incident can be a real challenge. “If there is one course where I still feel like a fish out of water, it’s the ‘Widow Maker,'” said Gidley. “It is so hard to get a rhythm in this crazy water.”
When all was said and done, Gidley, the Muscle Milk Extreme Athlete, came away finishing sixth overall after recovering from numerous falls in the choppy water. “After the punishment that I took trying to battle my way to a good finish all day, I was exhausted,” said Gidley. “It is the challenge that motivates me to become faster and stronger. And the ‘Widow Maker’ is as challenging as they come.”
And now this weekend Gidley and the Doran team are off to Mid-Ohio for the Emco Gears Classic presented by Key Bank, round #7 of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series race presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16. The #77 McDonalds/PR Newswire with drivers Memo Gidley and Dion Von Moltke, currently sit ninth in team point standings. “I am really excited to race Mid Ohio this weekend because I love the track and I have had a lot of success racing here in everything from Formula Ford 2000, Toyota Atlantics to Champ Cars, “said Gidley. “And I also have a ton of respect for the Mid-Ohio track owner, the late Jim Trueman who had such a passion for racing and developed this track in to what it is today.”
The Mid-Ohio course is also considered the home track for Kevin Doran of Doran Racing. The Doran Race Team headquarters are in Lebanon, OH and team owner Kevin Doran has spent many a weekend over the years racing and testing cars at Mid-Ohio. And Kevin’s dad Jim, an Ohio native, owned and ran Queen City Speedway, a half-mile dirt oval in West Chester, Ohio.
“It is nice that we are at a track where so many local Doran Racing fans can come out and check us out,” said Gidley. “I have high hopes for Dion and I in the #77 McDonalds/PR Newswire car this weekend.”
Green flag racing kicks off this Sat June 19th at 5PM. Catch all the racing action live on SPEED Sat June 19th at 5PM ET.
Jetski Photo: Eli Kemnitz