Fresh off claiming his third career ALMS GT Driver’s Championship, Patrick Long is embarking on a whole different racing adventure this weekend, and will drive a Garry Rogers Motorsport-prepared Commodore in the spectacular Australian V8 Supercars Series, in the Armor-All Gold Coast 600 at Surfer’s Paradise, Queensland, Australia. For the Gold Coast 600, the Series is running a unique format; each 2-car team will field a single “international” driver who does not normally partake in Supercars racing, and will team each international with an established series racer. Two races will run this weekend, one 300km race each on Saturday and Sunday. Long will partner with Michael Caruso in the #34 Garry Rogers Motorsport Fujitsu Racing Holden Commodore.
Joining Long among the internationals is a who’s who of racing stars and champions from the Indy Racing League, Formula 1, International Sportscars and World Touring cars. Drivers include Ryan Briscoe, Scott Dixon, Dario Franchitti, David Brabham, Mika Salo, Jacques Villeneuve, Sebastian Bourdais and Helio Castroneves, among others. Long and Scott Pruett are the only two Americans entered. Patrick set the 4th fastest time of the internationals at their official test on Wednesday, October 20 at Queensland Raceway near Brisbane.
Patrick said, “I’m thrilled to get the chance to race one of these beasts at such a cool event. My thanks to Garry Rogers for having the faith in me to help my co-driver Michael Caruso in the championship! I’ve always looked up to racers like Mario Andretti and AJ Foyt – guys who could jump into any kind of car and be quick, and I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to drive all kinds of cars in my career – adding a V8 Supercar to the list is quite an honor. It’ll be a small adjustment to be shifting with my left hand and sitting on the right side of the car, but I’ve raced similarly-oriented cars so it’s not entirely unfamiliar. It’s going to be good fun this weekend, and all of us ‘international’ drivers are stoked to be here, but make no mistake about it, it’s going to be hugely competitive among all of us.”
The races will be broadcast at 3pm ET on Sunday Oct. 31 on SPEEDTV.
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Patrick wishes to thank all his 2010 partners and sponsors for their support.
Porsche – https://www.porsche.com
Oakley – https://www.oakley.com
Club Corp – https://www.clubcorp.com
Troy Lee Designs – https://www.troyleedesigns.com
Speedware Motorsports – https://www.speedwaremotorsports.com
FRS Healthy Energy – https://www.frs.com