These days there are limitations, but sportscar racers have just as many opportunities to get into different categories of of motorsport. I believe that some of the short-track open wheel guys who run up front in NASCAR today (Gordon, Stewart, Kahne, etc.) are so talented because they often raced three types of cars per week all over the country. All those variables and adversities must build some serious mental strength and skill! Let’s hope that for the good of the sport, the major series and events can work towards a mutual respect for each other’s schedules so big events don’t overlap! I realize it's not simple, but if there's a will, there must be a way!

Piloting a Porsche 962 to a win at the 2007 Rennsport Reunion is a favorite memory of Longs. (Porsche)

As I mentioned above, the driving style of racing a prototype is to push the car to its absolute limit in terms of how you get through a corner - that’s where the car performs to its maximum. Aerodynamics and downforce mean, paradoxically, that the faster you go, the more grip that’s generated - in an LMP car, that’s not a natural feeling, you have to build up trust in the aerodynamics. It’s similar in a GT2 car, but the increased weight means there’s more stress on the construction of tires. The key to running competitively in a GT2 car is running consistently through grace rather than brutality.

In a lower-speed corner, there’s a fundamental limit in terms of mechanical grip that either type of car produces, but in the high-speed corners, it’s really a case of bravest man wins in a prototype. That’s not to discredit how hard you have to push a GT2 car in a shorter race - at a race like Sebring there’s just a slightly different approach needed. The heat and track surface means you can't quite hustle as hard as a prototype may allow you, but you are still on the gas!

The physical challenges and elements for the driver are somewhat logical - in a prototype, you’re really fighting the g-forces generated by the downforce, grip and brakes, and it’s very much a physical and strength challenge. In a GT2 car, the primary challenge is dealing with heat and dehydration. Neither is easy or preferred, but both have their certain demand, and requires you to tune your mid-week training and mindframe in a certain direction.

Thinking on how busy a street course is and the April weather in FL, this weekend will be a hustle and provide plenty of action!

Hope to see you in St. Pete!

The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEEDtv.com, SPEED, FOX, or NewsCorp.

Patrick Long is the only American factory driver racing for Porsche, having joined Porsche in 2003 as a Junior Driver. After starting his career with Porsche racing in the German and British Carrera Cups and Michelin Supercup, he made his professional racing debut in 2003 at Petit Le Mans.

Patrick is the youngest-ever American winner of the four "classics" of endurance racing - the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Rolex 24 At Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans. He has had ample early success in his career, including winning the 2005 ALMS GT2 Championship, 9 ALMS races in the GT2 and LMP2 classes, and holds the GT2 track record at Le Mans.

Patrick's laid-back Southern California attitude and European racing education make him unique in the sportscar racing world. Conversationally fluent in five languages, Patrick is as at home surfing the point breaks of Malibu as he is speaking in French at Le Mans. Currently residing in the Clearwater Beach, FL area, his childhood loves of motocross racing and car culture have flourished as a result of his job and partnerships with Troy Lee Designs, Oakley, Wheel Enhancement and Shock Doctor.

Learn more about Pat at: http://www.PatrickLong.com and about Porsche at http://www.Porsche.com


The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEED.com, FOX, NewsCorp, or SPEED