Long “Still Very Much Retired” Despite Spa One-Off With GMG

Photo: Porsche

Patrick Long has insisted that he remains “very much retired” as a driver despite taking part in this weekend’s CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa with GMG Racing by Car Collection Motorsport.

The former Porsche factory driver, who hung up the helmet from full-time competition at the end of 2021, has come out of retirement for a one-off appearance in the Belgian endurance classic, making his return to the race for the first time in 13 years.

Long is sharing the Pro-Am class No. 132 Porsche 911 GT3 R with Jeroen Bleekemolen, GMG Racing team principal James Sofronas and Kyle Washington.

“I’ve been working with Kyle for a couple of years and he kept telling me about this big bucket list race of his, the Spa 24, and I told him, ‘Not me!'” Long told Sportscar365.

“You’ll have to ask him about the way he got his way. It was a fun agreement amongst friends and I’m here to enjoy and join these guys.”

Washington said: “Let’s just say he’s not as good of a pool player as a driver.

“He’s been coaching me for years and is a very good friend. He was kind enough to make his way over here for various reasons.”

Long has praised Washington’s progression as a driver, having started working with the California-based GMG squad three years ago.

“Kyle is a great guy,” he said. “He does everything full-on and has enthusiasm that’s a breath of fresh air.

“I think just watching his progression over the last few years… He’s always had speed and he’s always had a real interest in GT cars and 911-based cars.

“Really where he’s progressed the most is that he’s a much more consistent driver. He can do a lot more.

“James has [given him] a tremendous amount of different exposure, from Sprint Challenge to Carrera Cup to SRO GT3 and I think is a big debut for him on an international stage with a ton of cars.

“All my Porsche colleagues tell me how wild this race has become over the last few years with that many equally prepared cars on the track.

“I’m interested to see what it will be like.”

Long took part in the 24H Spa from 2007-11 in GT2-spec Porsches, which included a second place overall finish in 2010 at the wheel of IMSA Performance Matmut’s Porsche 911 GT3-RSR.

“It will be quite a bit different,” he said. “I really don’t know what to expect. Last time I raced a GT car was at the end of 2021.

“I’m still very much retired but this will be fun and I look forward to working with both GMG and Car Collection.

“I’ve not raced with these guys in Europe but everything seems super mellow.”

When asked if he has other racing plans, the 41-year-old, who serves as a Porsche Cars North America ambassador along with other off-track duties, said he has no plans to make a full-time racing comeback.

“I’m busier than I’ve ever been and my commitments remain the same, both to Porsche and to my own team with Luftgekühlt,” Long said.

“This is a fun opportunity for me. I have my whole family here with me. We’ve been over here and will remain over here and go see a bunch of friends, thanks in much to Kyle for having me.”

Sofronas: “Very Special” Opportunity for GMG to Race at Spa

After making several appearances in the support races in recent years, Sofronas said he’s excited to take part in his first Spa 24-hour race in the team he’s helped assemble.

“This is all Kyle’s doing,” he told Sportscar365. “It’s very special to be able to create these opportunities for someone like Kyle, who loves to try everything once.

“We’re excited. Having Pat and Jeroen, two incredibly talented, experienced championship drivers is the bonus here.

“Kyle and I have just been having fun this whole time. That’s what it’s about. But we want to be on the podium for sure.

“With Car Collection, their program is top-notch, and I’ve got some of the GMG team here as well.

“It’s a collaborative effort and I think we’ll be doing more of this stuff in the near future.”

Sofronas said his team is here to “observe and take a lot of data home” with the new Type-992 Porsche, which Washington expects to take delivery of his own chassis in the coming weeks.

“Dennis and Peter and everyone at Car Collection has been amazing and very welcoming and very professional to say the least,” he said.

“The car’s been great. The team has been flawless. The execution has been 100 percent and now we’ll jump at it. We’re all excited.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John