As teams arrive this week at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, many will have completed long trips across state lines, or even across borders. For championship leading team SKI Autosports, it's a much simpler route.
The Georgia-based group is eager to compete in front of a home crowd as the series finally returns to Road Atlanta after a long absence. While SKI Autosports have seen a great deal of success across the country, they are relishing the opportunity to continue that narrative in a more local setting. Aside from the convenience of saving on travel time and getting to spend a few extra nights sleeping in their own beds, the team's approach remains unchanged.
"Every race weekend brings the same anticipation, preparation and excitement for us," explained team owner Kent Hussey. "The track may be different, but the competition and challenge is the same. Obviously racing close to home saves a lot of travel time for most of the team. It also allows many of our family and friends to enjoy the weekend and see our team in action."
That steady, measured outlook has become a defining characteristic of SKI Autosports during a 2026 campaign that has established the organization as the ultimate benchmark in the GT America paddock.
While the return of SRO America competition to Road Atlanta for the first time in more than a decade provides an added layer of significance, the event also arrives at a time when SKI Autosports and driver Memo Gidley are enjoying one of the strongest seasons in team and series history.
Five out of six outings so far this season have resulted in trips to victory lane, and they have every intention of keeping that momentum going. But while the local connection certainly has its benefits, home track familiarity does not automatically translate into an advantage. Although Road Atlanta is woven into the fabric of the team's history, SKI Autosports understands that many of its rivals have accumulated years of experience at the legendary circuit as well.
"Our team has extensive experience here in multiple series with Rossella and Phil at the helm, and while this is our home track, every event is a new challenge," he stated. "Many of our competitors historically have raced here, so I don't think we have anything up on them just because it's our home track."
Preparation for the event has been ongoing despite the lengthy absence of SRO competition at the circuit. The team regularly competes in other events at Road Atlanta, helping maintain familiarity with the track's unique rhythm and demands. Gidley himself also spends time at the facility coaching, providing another valuable source of knowledge heading into the weekend. Even so, success is never guaranteed.
"Every event seems to require a new round of engineering and setup," Hussey said. "This year we will also be adjusting to the new Pirelli compound."
That attention to detail has been a major contributor to the team's strong form with Gidley, which is a partnership that grew from a fierce rivalry into one of the best combinations in the entire paddock.
Their relationship traces back to 2023 when SKI Autosports switched to Audi machinery and brought in sportscar legend Johnny O'Connell for a full season campaign. At the time, one of their toughest competitors was Gidley, who was driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 for TKO Racing.
Gidley went on to claim the championship that season, but the competition also opened the door to a friendship. Through conversations with Gidley and David Traitel, the CEO of TKO Precision Machining, the team discovered a shared philosophy centered around teamwork, hard work, and a genuine passion for motorsport. When TKO Racing eventually stepped away from competition in 2024, discussions continued about potentially joining forces in the future. That opportunity arrived in 2025 when O'Connell also had to step away and SKI Autosports were in search of another driver.
"Memo was top of mind and our only call," Hussey recalled.
The reasons quickly became obvious. Beyond his speed behind the wheel, Gidley's relentless commitment to improvement impressed everyone who crossed paths with him. He continues to train extensively, competes at a high level in karting and sailboat racing, and arrives at each event having thoroughly studied the data. The team describes him as a fierce competitor who combines intelligence and racecraft on track with humility and professionalism away from it.
That combination has helped fuel a dominant 2026 campaign and positioned SKI Autosports as the ones to beat at each and every event, no matter the setting or circumstances.
As the series heads to Road Atlanta, the objective remains unchanged. The team approaches the weekend exactly as it would any other stop on the calendar, and their intentions remain the same: "Our goal is to win."
Of course, accomplishing that goal in front of friends, family, and supporters would make the celebration even sweeter. The team experienced a similar moment earlier this season when they earned victories at Sonoma Raceway, Gidley's home circuit, with his loved ones cheering from pit lane. Now the opportunity exists to create a Georgia version of that memory.
Yet for all the excitement surrounding a home race, SKI Autosports remains grounded by the mindset that has carried it through a successful season.
"Our mindset is this is just another race weekend," Hussey concluded. "The preparation and emotions are the same regardless of the venue."
To cheer them on at the track from June 12th to 14th, get your #GTRoadAtlanta tickets now!
