Gidley Qualifies 16th for Rolex 24 in Kodak Car

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Jan. 24 - Memo Gidley put Doran Racing's Kodak Doran
Ford No. 77 firmly in the field for this weekend's Rolex 24 when he qualified
16th in the 15-minute Daytona Prototype qualifying session Thursday afternoon at
Daytona International Speedway.

Gidley's fastest lap, his fifth one in the session, was timed in 1:42.526 for
an average speed of 125.002 miles per hour for the 3.56-mile, 12-turn road
course.  That was only 1.733 seconds off Oswaldo Negri Jr.'s pole-winning time,
which was a new track record for the series' new Pirelli tires.  It was also
2.431 seconds faster than Gidley's qualifying run for this race last year, when
he qualified 15th after a crash in practice.

Fortunately there was no such drama for the team here Thursday before
qualifying, which was run under overcast skies.  Twenty-four Daytona Prototypes and
six GT cars are now in the field, as the top 30 positions were determined
today. The starting line-up for the remainder of the field will be completed
tomorrow.

Gidley, of Novato, Calif., and Sherrills Ford, N.C., and Brad Jaeger of
Cincinnati will drive for the Lebanon, Ohio-based team on the complete Rolex Series
circuit this year.  Joining them behind the wheel of the Kodak car for the
Rolex 24 are Fabrizio Gollin of Castelfranco Veneto, Italy, and Gabriele Gardel
of Lugano, Switzerland.    

This is Gidley's fourth Rolex 24, Jaeger and Gollin's third, and Gardel's
first.

"This race is all about having a consistent car, and I think we have a
consistent package," said Gidley after qualifying.  "Everybody doing consistent laps
is what is going to give us our best shot at winning.

"Our car is comfortable to drive, which is very important for a 24-hour
race," he added.  "Our Ford engine is running well; it's strong and reliable.  All
of our drivers have practiced, and they're all up to speed and comfortable.
We're prepared and looking good."

The race will start at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. The start will be carried live
on FOX, with coverage beginning at 1 p.m.   The live coverage will then switch
to SPEED in segments starting at 2:30 p.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. Sunday.  All
times are Eastern.
 
The team's new Dallara chassis is slated to debut at the next race, which
will be held March 29 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla.

More information is available at doranracing.com and grand-am.com.  Live
timing and scoring and webcast commentary are slated for the later site.