For Patrick Long, driver with the No.77 Dempsey-Proton team, there is nothing quite like racing a Porsche 911 RSR so close to the birthplace of the famed endurance manufacturer.
The American, who last raced on this configuration of the Nurburgring track in 2003 in the Porsche Supercup, is relishing his time in Germany as he gets set to attempt a follow up to the team's tremendous second placed finish at the Le Mans 24 Hours in June.
“This place is so special, and I tell anyone who I know is in Germany to take a day out and visit both the track and also the fantastic Porsche museum in Stuttgart,” said Long. “This weekend I am looking forward to the World Endurance Championship racing here and seeing how the crowd react. I know German fans are very passionate and to race a Porsche here, well I tell you, that it is a great, great feeling.”
Long also believes that the development of himself and his team mates – Patrick Dempsey and Marco Seefried - in the No.88 Porsche 911 RSR is progressing at a significant pace as the season goes on.
“We’re not going to set records over a single lap but over a race we are forming a really nice consistent team,” continued Long. “Patrick (Dempsey) is making very good strides and is now at the level of Khaled (Al Qubaisi) and Christian (Ried). The work is paying off and his confidence is high, and we are keeping this progression going and work at it race by race. Starting right here this weekend.”
Sam Smith
Photo: Credit PatrickLong.com. 24 HOURS OF LE MANS (LE MANS, FRANCE), RACE, 14 JUNE 2015. Patrick Long (centre) with his team mates after finishing 2nd in the LMGTE Am class.
