Derek Bell / Simraceway graduate, 1964
A true legend in the sport, Derek Bell has five 24 Hours of Le Mans and three 24 Hours of Daytona wins to his credit while driving for the Porsche factory. One of the few drivers to be successful in both sports cars and open wheel, Bell raced with Ferrari and McLaren among others. For his achievements, Bell was knighted by Queen Elizabeth as a Member of the British Empire. He was born on 31 October 1941 in Middlesex, England.
Memo Gidley / Simraceway graduate 1992
Memo Gidley is a quintessential example of perseverance. Gidley began his racing career not behind the wheel, but by turning a wrench as a Jim Russell mechanic in 1992, trading pay for seat time. He was immediately fast and rocketed up the junior ladder in both cars and karts. Within 5 years, he was a fully fledged professional driver, with Derek Walker’s team in CART before stints with Chip Ganassi Racing and Rocketsports. Gidley has also enjoyed success in sports cars. Famously at one point, Gidley once spent four months living in his pick-up truck with his go-kart in the back while pursuing his dream of racing professionally. Gidley was born in La Paz, Mexico 29 September 1970 and holds both U.S. and Mexican citizenship.
Scott Speed / Simraceway graduate, 2000
The latest American to become a member of the Formula One™ fraternity, Scott Speed drove for the Red Bull-backed Toro Rosso squad from 2006 to 2007. For the 2008 season, Speed came back stateside to drive stock cars and in 2009 began his first full season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. His early years included multiple karting championships and the Formula Russell Series title in 2001. He was born in Manteca, CA on 24 January 1983.
Gilles Villeneuve / Simraceway graduate, 1968
His life was tragically cut short while qualifying for the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix at Zolder, yet he remains one of the few drivers whose legend continued to grow after his time had passed. The beloved French-Canadian driver still has legions of fans as witnessed by the plentiful artwork and tributes that remain prevalent. Villeneuve won 6 grands prix for Ferrari and was the title runner-up to his teammate in 1979. He went to the Jim Russell School at Le Circuit Mont Tremblant before winning in Formula Ford and Formula Atlantic, including the title in 1976 and 1977. Later that year he entered his first Formula One race driving a McLaren. He was born in Richelieu, Quebec on 18 January 1950.
Dan Wheldon / Simraceway graduate
Dan Wheldon was a talented British driver who achieved more in the twelve years in which he graced US motor racing than many other racers have in their whole careers. Wheldon arrived stateside at the age of 21, following up Rookie of the Year honors in the U.S. F2000 Championship Series with equally impressive spells in the Toyota Atlantic and Indy Lights Series. However it was his IndyCar successes, which included one IRL IndyCar Series championship and two memorable Indianapolis 500 triumphs, that turned him into a true global superstar. Tragically, Wheldon’s glittering career was cut short when he was killed in an incident in the final race of the 2011 season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He will be truly missed by everyone at the Simraceway Performance Driving Center.
