Rick Long- RIP

[brucesallen]

I saw in today's Boston Globe that Rick Long died in Peabody Hospital at the age of 62. Caouse not listed. I haven't seen him around the track for a couple of years but many will remember his honking 500+ hp yellow cobra at all kinds of COM events in the 90s. The car met its demise entering the front straight at NHIS at a COM event. A protracted lawsuit with his insurance company lasted a couple of years. He also did well on the Kit car racing series I think getting Top Dog in the St. Louis Kit Car meeting.

Nice guy.

[offcamber09]

The car met its demise entering the front straight at NHIS at a COM event. A protracted lawsuit with his insurance company lasted a couple of years.
Nice guy.

Was that the car that met the outside then inside walls after power-on oversteering in 12? I remember car parts everywhere after that one.
Our best to his family.

[brucesallen]

The car met its demise entering the front straight at NHIS at a COM event. A protracted lawsuit with his insurance company lasted a couple of years.
Nice guy.

Was that the car that met the outside then inside walls after power-on oversteering in 12? I remember car parts everywhere after that one.
Our best to his family.

Yes. I was there too. Big bang. He never lifts coming out of 11 on to the straight.

[cuda6666]

I remember coming under the bridge at 150 at Bridgehampton, cutting the wheel for the blind turn 1 apex, and finding an impenetrable wall of dust, out of which peeked the nose of that yellow Cobra. Rick seemed to me to be utterly fearless. He reminded me of the gentlemen drivers of the 50's like Alphonse de Portago or Phil Spear. Always well dressed, calm, articulate and respectful of others.

[Don P]

Yes indeed -

Both a gentleman, and a no holds barred racer.

Rick was willing make the effort to have his yellow monster available for us at the World of Wheels show many years ago. We had two other good rigs there, but that little yellow Cobra replica with the monster engine brought many by to see.

As good as he was, he never took the stage to talk about his on track accomplishments.

If you haven't read the COM history on our web site, it's really meaningful. Lot's of good people/racing history. Hopefully, Rick will be written about.

[Mark Swinehart]

He was registered for the Watkins Glen event but had to cancel at the last minute because he was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia.

At the time Rick's wife, Doris, thought he would be discharged in a week or so.

Sad news.

[brucesallen]

Yes indeed -

Both a gentleman, and a no holds barred racer.

.

And generous. He suggested I take his car for a spin one day when he came to my house for a picnic. I did and he said he could hear the car a mile away when I did a second gear redline run. Didn't spin.

[grovefromnh]

I thought that Rick ran his black Vette @ NHIS last year. Great guy and driver. His battles with the super RUF Porsche were great fun to watch. I also remember his tapeing flashlights to the Cobras' hood to make a last run on the day. A gentleman racer. Good description, Frank. I hope COM sent Doris some flowers.

[irondragon]

Bruce:
Thanks for letting us all know about Rick.
He was a passionate car guy - and much more.
Best Regards - Bill Miskoe