2009 was a good season for Bert Longin, adding a team title and two third-place overall finishes to his career record, in the Belgian GT and FIA GT Championships respectively.  During the season he claimed two wins, three second-place finishes and four third-place finishes, meaning an average of one podium in every two races contested.  Furthermore, he finished in all FIA GT races in the top six.  2009 was an incredibly strong and consisten season.

Bert,  how do you feel about 2009 ?

Bert Longin: “Well, with a title with First Motorsport, third with SRT and personally third in the Drivers classification of both Championships, you can hardly speak of a disappointing season.  Moreover, the two 24-hour races were highlights, even if we didn’t win them, as we showed our strength both with the First Porsche in Zolder and with the SRT Corvette Z06 in Spa.  I think that I have seldom been so consistently strong at both the national and international level.  On top of that, it is important to take into account the fact that I started both Championships with new teams, which is not easy, but in the end we were successful.  2009 was a good motorsport year !”  

What was the high point for Bert Longin?

Bert Longin: “There were a number of them, I think.  Internationally, the third place in the FIA GT Championship has to be a highlight, but perhaps the incredibly exciting race at Spa was the right highpoint of the season.  We fought with a number of teams for hours and we were within reach of the victory.  But a technical problem, that no-one could have done anything about, remains one of those things in motorsport.  But the title for Jo Jamers,  who has been competing in national autosport for years, was also fantastic.” 

Year after year, you manage to motivate the people around you, is there a secret recipe for that?

Bert Longin: “You must continue to be professional with your job, so with motorsport for us- And there are two important things : first to win, and then to take care of those who work with you, and your sponsors.  They must continue to share your passion and then together you can go to a higher level.  I will never forget that they have made it possible for me to build my career, and to continue to compete.”

You’ve been competing in motorsport for 14 years now, what are your ideas on the changes on both the international and national fronts ?

Bert Longin: “Indeed, there are plenty of changes, both in our own country, with the return of Belcar, and in the international field, where we at last will be able to fight for a World Championship.  The latter is an enormous step forwards, and will undoubtedly bring increasing professionalism with it, which for all concerned will be a great thing.  Hopefully in the national Championships we will be able to go back to bigger starting grids, with an exciting fight at the front between the GT3 cars..” 

And what is 2010 bringing for Bert Longin?

Bert Longin: “Well, the same again, but I can’t go into any more details as yet…”

With thanks to Joost Custers and Bert Longin !