Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Australia
Breaking news

Memo Gidley planning racing comeback

Former Champ Car driver Memo Gidley is planning a racing comeback three years after sustaining multiple injuries in the Daytona 24 Hours.

Memo Gidley

Memo Gidley

Action Sports Photography

P class and overall pole winner Alex Gurney celebrates with Bob Stallings and Memo Gidley
#99 GAINSCO / Bob Stallings Racing Corvette DP Chevrolet: Alex Gurney, Jon Fogarty, Darren Law, Memo Gidley
Start: ACO President Pierre Fillon gives the green flag as #99 GAINSCO / Bob Stallings Racing Corvette DP Chevrolet: Alex Gurney, Jon Fogarty, Darren Law, Memo Gidley takes the lead
Rescue team at work on the wrecked car of Memo Gidley
Memo Gidley

Gidley explained on a visit to this year's Daytona IMSA SportsCar Championship opener that he had been given clearance to begin racing again.

"The last surgery I had about a year ago was a fusion [of two vertebrae] in my spine and it takes about a year to recover," said the 46-year-old, who competed in Champ Car in 1999 to 2004.

"My doctor went through a list of what I am good to go for, and driving is one of them.

"I want to get my name out there, and I'm letting people know that I'm strong and ready for something."

Gidley explained that he was in the process of renewing his FIA international licence.

He revealed that he had undergone surgery eight times since sustaining leg, arm and back injuries in the accident at the wheel of the GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Riley-Chevrolet Corvette DP.

The GAINSCO Riley ploughed into back of the Risi Competizione Ferrari driven by Matteo Malucelli, which had lost drive on the infield, shortly before the three-hour mark of the opening IMSA round in 2014.

Gidley thanked IMSA boss Jim France for his support during the recovery process and also paid tribute to the extrication crew at the track and the doctors at the local Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona to which was taken after the accident.

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Daytona 24 Hours: Cadillacs dominate first practice
Next article Ford’s Bourdais wary of Corvette challenge at Daytona

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Australia