Patrick’s Long Career with Porsche

This is the Statt Mann Baby. Time to Scatt a little bit…

Lost in the championship dramas at Petit LeMans last night is the retirement of Patrick Long, one of the most successful sports car drivers in American history.

I say that with some prejudice. Pat’s a friend.

He’s North America’s only Porsche factory driver. The relationship goes back nearly 20 years.

In fact, he’ll be a brand ambassador for Porsche and, no doubt, that includes further expansion of the Porsche lifestyle festivals he’s promoted around the world.

Patrick’s racing resume includes ALMS, IMSA and FIA World Endurance championships. And class wins at Le Mans, the Rolex 24 at Daytona, and Bathurst.

Some of his Porsche assignments have included going to smaller teams and getting some issues worked out on and off the track so they can compete for wins and titles as well.

I personally know he helped get Volkswagen into rallycross. And we’ve talked about NASCAR short track racing and rallying in the forest.

I love seeing friends kick the addiction to the bump and grind of chasing points and plaques .

Pat’s so much bigger than that.

Peace.