American driver, American team
Patrick Long of Petersen Motorsports/White Lightning Racing
By Margot Orenchuk
Photos courtesy Margot Orenchuk

LA SARTHE, France (May 29, 2004) --  Porsche factory driver Patrick Long comes into the 24 heures du Le Mans as a rookie driver for Petersen Motorsports/White Lightning Racing. In fact, this is actually his first year driving in the ALMS! But it’s obvious he’s a very special, extremely talented driver. The only American in memory to drive as a works driver, he has already earned words of praise from the likes of Champion Sascha Maassen. And he will be driving along side 2 of the best at the Big Show; and come June 13 will hopefully be taking the checkered beside them as well. Patrick, like most of the factory team, is a busy boy; but I corralled him long enough to get a glimpse of what we can expect of this very personable young driver. Saddle up with us, and come along for the ride in the #93 “Ho” car – and check out what Patrick expects to be the wildest ride of his career. 

Margot Orenchuk: You seem very, very excited about your first drive at Le Mans Patrick! 

Patrick Long: Le Mans definitely is the big one for me, because I have been there 3 of the last 4 years as a spectator, I lived there in 1999, I was a member of the La Filere Elf program. It was a series called Elf Campus that ran all over France; sort of like a Formula Dodge.  We had engineering courses, language (French) and physical fitness courses there at their headquarters in the Technoparc which is located in the centre of the 24 hour course in Le Mans - it’s kind of like a 2^nd home to me. I didn’t think I would be selected as a works driver. I didn’t think I would be selected to do the 24 hours just because it’s the granddaddy of all the races. When I got the call, it was a pretty big shock!  

MO: This race is SO huge in the Sports Car world, and it’s a huge one for Porsche. You must feel very honoured they have put such faith in you to team you up with the winningest Porsche factory Driver! 

PL: The fact that I’m going to be on a lead car with Sascha (Maassen) and Jörg (Bergmeister) who have both done very well there, Sascha winning and Jörg coming in second, from the beginning Petersen/White Lightning has been a new team to me; but after the first night, spending a dinner with the mechanics, I felt like a part of the team. They are really good guys. Dale and Mike, all the mechanics, all the team; Tom Moore, everyone is just great. And there is the new administrative assistant, Stefan Pfeiffer, who runs a really, really tight ship. 

MO: How much pressure do you feel going into this? Do you feel any pressure? In my interview with Sascha he said you really don’t have any, except just to keep the car on the track. 

PL: Going out I didn’t have a lot of pressure because Jörg was there to get a good balance on the car and to put a qualifying lap in; my aim was to get comfortable with the track and to not do anything stupid and to get used to everything. The track runs easier than you would think; there are a lot of blind corners, really fast and no room for error. Obviously at the Pre Q my number 1 goal was to not leave the track because I had work to do. So my job was to keep it clean, because I know it’s a long race, and it’s such an extra special drive and it’s such an important effort; we have all the potential!  And with Roland behind it who is our engineer, we are going in as the favourites by far before the Pre Q, then after the Pre Q the lap times show we are the quickest. We need to stay consistent, and I think we will be all right. 

MO: I know Sascha and Jörg have driven together, but I do not think you have ever driven with either of these guys before. Problem? 

PL: Jörg and I get along really well, Sascha is like the “big brother” amongst the works drivers; he’s the most low-key of the drivers, he’s there to win races, there to be smart which is good going into a long race like this because he will be able to keep me from getting too wound up in the rivalry with team-mates wanting to go the quickest. I think a win is the only thing the team is going there to do; anything can happen in a 24-hour race, everybody knows that, but if we keep our noses clean, and just stay real consistent, I think we are going to run really well. 

MO: I asked “big brother Sascha” this question, and I’ll ask you – aren’t you worried that you haven’t had a moment together as a driving team together before the Big Show? 

PL: If something were to happen; the team will be so prepared and ready to go; they have everything down to a science. I think we are looking really, really good. It’s a great team effort; and to have 3 new drivers for the race is an element that is challenging for them- but they are really accepting. I consider myself the weak link so to speak; I don’t think I am a weak link! I am just the weakest of the 3 drivers because of my (lack of endurance racing) experience. For Mike and Dale to give me that chance without having that experience and them putting their best effort together to win this race is amazing. To carry the American Flag to Le Mans for the American team is also important to me.  

MO: That is a heck of a lot of extra pressure for you. 

PL: No, I don’t think so. Because I don’t believe the reason I am in there is because of my nationally... I think I am there for a lot of reasons, but I think that is just icing on the cake to them. But I also think we are there to win and not to be patriotic. That’s just a little bit of a sidebar.  

MO: When will be you are arriving at Le Sarthe? 

PL: I will be over there for the Monday. I don’t think anything starts until Thursday.  I’m over doing some driver coaching for Porsche, and then I’ll be heading for Le Mans. 

MO: Tell me how you mentally and physically prepare yourself to go into a 24-hour race. Do you stock up on sleep? Do you diet? Eat special? Exercise differently? 

PL: One of my main habits is to keep hydrated (Note: I have never seen Patrick without a water bottle in his hand!) and focusing on the race at hand is a most important key; both physical and mental preparation is so important when racing an endurance race. Relaxation is also important, too; as well as organization. Each of these factors is really important for me to prepare for my first try at winning the 24 hours of Le Mans! 

And RFM will be standing right beside Sascha, Jörg and Patrick as they defend Petersen/White Lightning’s right to bound up to the top step in Victory Circle come race day! Stay tuned to our excusive, ongoing coverage of this GT class leading team.