 Photo: TruSpeed Motorsports
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Costa Mesa, CA – March 23rd, 2011
TruSpeed Motorsports, based in Costa Mesa, Calif., today announced the signing of Patrick Long to race the #45 PrivacyStar Porsche GT3 Cup Car in the 2011 Pirelli World Challenge Championships Series.
After much speculation, Long will first race for TruSpeed starting with the season opener of the WC Series this weekend, March 25-27 on the streets of St. Petersburg, FL.
Rob Morgan, 1996 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona GTS-1 class winner, runs TruSpeed Motorsports, and will drive the #46 Entrust/TruSpeed Porsche GT3 Cup for the season.
Photo: TruSpeed Motorsports
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Photo from The FRS Company
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Long said, “I’m excited at the chance to do some sprint racing, in a tough series and with a very strong team. TruSpeed has a great team structure with some awesome people that I have worked with in the past. That was the initial draw for me to this idea, then getting to know Rob and just how passionate he is about his racing made it a no-brainer to sign up with these guys.
I like that Pirelli World Challenge is unique – standing starts, sprint formats, double-header weekends, all that. I will be jumping in Thursday cold turkey, but I love St. Pete’s street circuit and it helps that it’s just down the road from where I’ve been living for the past four years.”
Long will race in all the events except for Miller, which conflicts with his European test schedule. Kelly Collins will take Long’s place at the Utah round of the championship.
Team owner Rob Morgan was elated to announce the hiring of Long. “I’m thrilled to be teaming up with Patrick this season, particularly as a driver. Having him around to help us continue to develop as a team will be fantastic, and I know he’ll push me as a driver. Having someone with his record of success and skill involved will help us grow, both on and off track. I can’t wait to get to work at St. Pete this weekend, and to start building on the successes we’ve had in the past.”
The Pirelli World Challenge Series kicks off this weekend with twin races on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, Saturday and Sunday, March 26-27.
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The Pirelli World Challenge Series GT class features Porsches, Corvettes, Mustangs, Volvos, Vipers, Nissan GT-Rs – and this year, Cadillacs – and will race 12 times over eight events. Venues are
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Streets of St. Petersburg* |
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DATE:
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March 25-27, 2011
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ROUND:
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01/02
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BROADCAST:
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TBD
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Also on www.world-challengeTV.com after initial broadcast |
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Streets of Long Beach |
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DATE:
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April 15-17, 2011
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ROUND:
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03
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BROADCAST:
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TBA
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Also on www.world-challengeTV.com after initial broadcast |
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Larry H. Miller Dealerships Utah Grand Prix |
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DATE:
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April 29 – May 1, 2011
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ROUND:
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04
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BROADCAST:
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TBA
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Also on www.world-challengeTV.com after initial broadcast |
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Mosport Grand Prix* |
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DATE:
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May 20-22, 2011
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ROUND:
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05/06
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BROADCAST:
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TBA
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Also on www.world-challengeTV.com after initial broadcast |
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Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course* |
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DATE:
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August 5-7, 2011
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ROUND:
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07/08
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BROADCAST:
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TBA
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Also on www.world-challengeTV.com after initial broadcast |
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Infineon Grand Prix* |
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DATE:
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August 26-27, 2011
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ROUND:
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09/10
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BROADCAST:
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TBA
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Also on www.world-challengeTV.com after initial broadcast |
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Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca |
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DATE:
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September 16-18, 2011
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ROUND:
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11
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BROADCAST:
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Also on www.world-challengeTV.com after initial broadcast |
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TruSpeed Motorsports wishes to thank its 2011 sponsors and partners.
For more information, visit:
TruSpeed Motorsports was founded in 2001 by Rob and Charles Morgan, over the years racing in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge and World Challenge. TruSpeed runs a robust arrive-and-drive and trackday business, as well as a street and race car sales and service facility in Orange County, California.
For information about TruSpeed’s racing, performance car sales and service, visit: http://www.truspeedmotorcars.com
Tags: 2011 Pirelli World Challenge Championships Series, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Motorsport News, Patrick Long, PATRICK LONG, Porsche, TruSpeed Motorsports
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