SEBRING, FL. (Sunday, May 10, 2026) –SKI Autosports continued its remarkable start to the 2026 GT America powered by AWS season at Sebring International Raceway, with SKI Autosports and Memo Gidley leaving Florida with another victory and extending the team’s championship momentum to five wins from the opening six races.
After entering the weekend unbeaten through the first four races of the season, the streak finally came to an end in Saturday’s opening contest.
Gidley battled through oppressive heat and a difficult-handling Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II to secure second place after a race-long fight near the front of the field.
The runner-up finish behind Tony Davis marked the first time in 2026 that the No. 56 Audi had not reached victory lane, but it still added another podium to SKI Autosports’ growing championship tally and kept the team firmly in control of the title fight heading into Sunday.
Sebring’s brutal temperatures and punishing surface created one of the toughest weekends of the season so far, forcing teams and drivers to adapt throughout the event.
SKI Autosports responded overnight.
Following setup changes ahead of Race 2, Gidley returned to dominant form on Sunday morning. After starting third on the grid, Gidley jumped into second place in turn one and began hounding race leader Kyle Washington.
The SKI Autosports slid down the inside of Washington, entering Turn 17with 26 minutes remaining, and was never headed for the remainder of the race – building a 4.5 second lead by the time the checkered flag fell.
The victory also continued Gidley’s standout GT America comeback campaign aboard the Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II, with the veteran driver once again controlling the race from the front after the team unlocked improved balance and drivability in changing conditions.
“What a weekend at Sebring,” Gidley said. “It was not easy.
“It was so hot out here yesterday. Our car was working okay, but not great. We were able to pull off a second place, and then today we made a few changes.
“It was just a joy to drive, and we came away with the win.”
The Sebring weekend also featured a debut appearance for the team’s “Rowdy Audi” branding, which was added to the No. 56 machine as Gidley delivered another victory for the SKI Autosports program.
“The Rowdy Audi – we had the stickers on there this weekend, so I had to deliver because it’s got a reputation,” Gidley said.
“It’s a great car. SKI Autosports, all my team working in this heat, and all the people that came out to watch the race – thank you very much. I appreciate it.”
The Sebring result further strengthens SKI Autosports’ championship campaign after the team opened the year with a historic four-race winning streak, including weekend sweeps at Sonoma Raceway and Circuit of The Americas.
With five victories now secured from the opening six races of the GT America season, SKI Autosports and Gidley hold a 63-point lead in the championship, which next heads to Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta for round four on June 12-14.
2026 schedule
Test: Miami International Autodrome, Miami, Florida, February 12–15
Round 1: Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, California, March 27–29
Round 2: Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, April 24–26
Round 3: Sebring International Raceway, Sebring, Florida, May 8–10
Round 4: Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia, June 12–14
Round 5: Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, August 28–30
Round 6: Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, Alabama, September 25–27
Round 7: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, Indiana, October 8–11
SKI Autosports GT America history
2026:
– 5 wins, 6 podiums, 6 starts – Memo Gidley
2025:
– 3 wins, 10 podiums, 12 starts – Memo Gidley
– Third overall with limited schedule
2024:
– 2 wins, 14 podiums, 16 starts – Johnny O’Connell
– Overall GT America Champion
2023:
– 1 win, 5 podiums, 18 starts – Johnny O’Connell
– GT America Drivers Masters Champion
2022:
– 1 win, 4 podiums, 5 starts – Andy Pilgrim
