Patrick Long is an All American Racing Great

Qualifications

If Mr. Long were to put a resume in front of you it would read something like this: Porsche factory racing driver of 16 years. Two-time Pirelli World Challenge GT overall Driver’s Champion. Three-time ALMS GT2 Driver’s Champion. Class 12 Winner of the Baja 1000. Endurance Cup Racing Champion. Nurburgring VLN Masters Overall Winner and we’re not even 1/6 of the way down the page on his personal website. So who is this all American racer who clawed his way up the ranks to become one of the all-time greats of the modern generation? 

Freak of Nature

By the time Long was 16, he had already racked up an IKF Formula A karting title which is among the highest honors in the world of karting. He would move to Europe—as many racing drivers do—and showed promise in the Formula Ford category for Van Diemen. Porsche would follow very shortly after. Upon seeing how much talent he had, Porsche offered him a factory driving position. This is one of the rarest things for any driver, let alone one from America. Porsche only selects the best in the world for these opportunities.   

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He Could Deliver

UPS Porsche was Patrick’s first introduction to Porsche’s way of handling business. Running in the Carrera Cup, Long managed to take a victory in his first season which is a feat any veteran racer of this series will tell you is not easy. When all cars are equal and the stakes are high, people are cutthroat in braking zones as it often becomes the deciding factor of who is willing to hang it all on the line for the win. The same year he would go on to pilot a racing car in the ALMS series. Opportunities don’t come up like this unless you’re good. 

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Slew of Wins

From his first introduction with the brand, Long would become inextricably linked to a flat-6 paired with factory racing technology. GT2 class wins and later GTE podium finishes in the championship would highlight what has become one of the longest standing relationships Porsche has ever had with an American racing driver. He has raced for Dempsey, Proton and Flying Lizard just to name a few. When it comes to sports car racing and Porsche, these are the titans of the industry. Long has undoubtedly spearheaded many of these programs.  

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Long Legacy

Patrick Long is an integral part of Porsche’s modern sports car history. He is living proof of how great their racing program is in the hands of a capable, well-rounded driver and will likely continue to push their equipment to the limits of what is possible for years to come. With a new contract signed for 2019 in the IMSA Weathertech series it would seem he plans on doing exactly that—in a brand new 911 GT3 R. We’re looking forward to seeing these guys dominate and put Porsche on top of the competitive wheel to wheel series. Stay tuned for more racing reports on Patrick this year, the Rolex 24 is just around the corner.

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