INDIANAPOLIS — Newly crowned GT America powered by AWS SRO3 driver champion Memo Gidley will return to SKI Autosports for the full 2027 GT America powered by AWS season.
The team is also planning select appearances in GT World Challenge America powered by AWS.
The announcement follows a landmark campaign that has delivered SKI Autosports’ second overall GT America powered by AWS championship in three years, following Johnny O’Connell’s 2024 title.
Gidley heads into this weekend’s season finale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with 10 victories, tied with George Kurtz’s 2022 benchmark for the most wins in a single season. A victory in either of the final two races would give Gidley sole ownership of the record.
Gidley clinched the championship at Barber Motorsports Park on September 26 with three races remaining. A driveshaft failure on the formation lap prevented him from starting the opening race, but his closest challenger, Tony Davis, finished fourth, leaving Gidley’s championship advantage unassailable.
The team repaired the No. 56 Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II for Sunday’s race, and Gidley charged from the rear of the SRO3 field to claim his record-equalling 10th victory.
That result continued a season in which Gidley and SKI Autosports have won at every event contested. The team swept both races at Sonoma Raceway, Circuit of the Americas, Road Atlanta and Road America, matching the series record of four weekend sweeps in a season. Gidley also surpassed his previous personal best of eight victories in a single campaign.
“The 2026 season has been a dream,” said team owner Kent Hussey. “One of the most critical components to the team is our chemistry, and as Memo always says, ‘Teamwork makes the dream work.’ We have had the same group of people on the team for many years, with Phil Creighton and Rossella Manfrinato managing the entirety of the program.
“Memo has fit into the team seamlessly and has proven to be integral to our success. He is a committed professional who dedicates himself every day. He is a true student of the sport, constantly training and studying data.”
SKI Autosports began its racing program in 2022, earning the Masters championship in 2023 before securing its first overall title in 2024. Despite missing several race weekends at the beginning of 2025, the team finished third overall during a partial campaign with Gidley.
For Gidley, the opportunity to continue with SKI Autosports builds on the relationships that have underpinned the team’s success.
“For me, the most important environment in racing is working with exceptional people,” Gidley said.
“This brings out the best of a driver and a team, and the results always follow. This starts from the top at SKI Autosports with Kent and Melissa. They are such awesome people and a joy to be around.
“Getting to know them, along with Phil and Rossella and the entire SKI Autosports team, is a dream come true for me and has been so satisfying. The entire SKI team is family, and I am so happy to hear that we will be racing together in the future.”
