Richard Longman

Richard Longman is a British former racing driver who left a significant trail in the British touring car racing. He was a champion two times, in 1978 and 1979, driving a Mini 1275 GT, and a vice-champion three more times during the 1980s, driving an Austin Metro 1300, Ford Escort RS 1600 and Ford Escort RS Turbo.

Richard Longman

Two BSCC titles in a Mini 1275 GT

Born in March 1946, Longman participated in single-seater races in the early 1970s, entering the British Saloon Car Championship in 1977 with Patrick Motorsport's Mini 1275 GT. In his debut season, he scored two wins in Class A, at Donington Park and Brands Hatch, finishing second in class and fifth in the overall championship standings.

In 1978, Longman was dominant driver in Class A, winning all both one races and taking the first place overall in the British Saloon Car Championship. In 1979, he was a race winner ten times, successfully defending championship title in a Mini 1275 GT.

In 1980, Longman switched to Ford Fiesta. Scoring four podiums to finish 15th overall in the championship. Win Percy was the champion, Alan Curnow was Class A winner.

Richard Longman's Mini 1275 GT

Vice-champion in 1982 with Austin Metro

In 1981, Longman and Curnow were teammates in the Team Datapost Racing, driving Austin Metro 1300. With four wins, Longman finished second in class and fifth overall. In September 1981, Longman and Curnow finished second in class at Tourist Trophy, a round of the European Touring Car Championship.

In 1982, Austin Metro 1300 HLS was the Class D car. Longman scored five wins for Class D title, finishing second in the overall standings behind Win Percy.

Richard Longman in the #77 Austin Metro 1300

Racing with Ford Escort since 1983

In 1983, Longman started to race in a Ford Escort RS 1600, scoring just one Class C victory in the BSCC and finishing fourth in final points. The highlight of the season was a class victory at Tourist Trophy, together with Rex Greenslade in a Ford Escort RS 1600.

In 1984, Longman stayed in the #77 Ford Escort RS 1600, scoring six wins to finish the season as Class C winner and second in the overall standings, behind Andy Rouse. In that year's Tourist Trophy, he was again a class winner, sharing a car with Alan Curnow.

Richard Longman in a Ford Escort RS 1600

Vice-champion one more time in a Ford Escort RS Turbo

For the 1985 BSCC season, Longman prepared Ford Escort RS Turbo, using it in the second half of the championship. In seven races, he won three times, finishing second in Class B and seventh overall in the championship.

In 1986, Logman was driving the #44 Ford Escort RS Turbo in all nine rounds of the British Saloon Car Championship, winning six times and taking six Class B victories. He was a class champion and overall vice-champion, finishing second behind Chris Hodgetts.

In 1987, the championship changed its name to the British Touring Car Championship. Longman didn't return, he retired from racing at the age 40.

Richard Longman was also an engine preparation expert