A Long Way From Home as He Chases His Dream

Patrick Long, 17, of Oak Park has spent more time in Europe this last year pursuing his dream of becoming a race car driver than seeing his parents at home.

And 1999 isn’t going to change that one bit.

Today, Long leaves for Le Mans, France, to spend nine months training at the Elf Campus driving school. Joining him there will be longtime friend Philip Giebler, 19, of Oxnard.

The Elf Campus program is a full-time racing school that includes a 15-race series in open-wheel formula cars that brings together 25 drivers from 16 countries. Races will take place in France, England, Austria and Italy.

Not that Long isn’t used to hopscotching around Europe. He is a champion kart driver, having won the Winter Cup in Italy last year while racing as a factory driver for CRG, an Italian-based team.

“It’s just a love of racing,” Long said of his dedication to the sport. “It’s a lot of fun and now I’ve taken it to the next level and I’m working my butt off to make it a career. I’d probably rather hang out with my friends in California than France, but it’s a great experience.”