CART: Interview with Memo Gidley
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
June 28, 2001
Q& A with Memo Gidley
When did you know you would be racing for Team Target?
"I found out last Tuesday. Mike Hull, the team's managing director gave me a call and asked me if I wanted to drive for Target Chip Ganassi Racing. It was probably the fastest decision I have ever made. I told him 'Yes' immediately and then I went in to have a seat fitting. It was the call I've been waiting for. To race with a team such as Target Chip Ganassi Racing is a dream come true."
Has it been difficult adjusting to a new car, new team etc. over the last week?
"No, not really. The team has accepted me with open arms and they have given me the tools I need to succeed. I haven't driven a Champ Car in almost eight months, that was the most difficult part. The Toyota/Lola package is very good, and each lap out in Portland, I was getting faster and faster. I hope that trend continues this week in Cleveland."
Do you put a lot of pressure on yourself to succeed at Team Target?
"There has always been pressure on me to succeed. Ever since I started racing motorcycles, I have always pushed myself to get better. There is pressure here as well. I want to succeed here at Team Target because I truly love racing. It is my passion. That's why I've spent all of my weekends at the track when I did not have a ride."
What have you done to stay in shape in case an opportunity like this was to come about?
"I have been working out for four or five hours a day, riding my bicycle, lifting weights, using the stairmaster, etc. I've also been racing my shifter kart several times a week to stay mentally sharp."
You were taken out of the race on the first lap last week, do you think that hurts your chances of staying with Team Target?
"It doesn't help my chances, because I feel that I could have had a solid race. But I don't think that it hurts them either. The car was fast with our race setup on it. But I was taken out of the race before I could complete a lap. These incidents happen in racing. I am hoping for a strong performance this weekend in Cleveland."
Is it true that you sleep in a Laz-E-Boy chair at night?
"Yes, that's true. I tend to sleep-walk at night and the chair helps to keep me from sleep-walking. When I am on the road, I sleep on the couch or I'll sleep in a chair and rest my feet on the edge of the bed."
Text provided by Brian Zepp
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