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2 min
February 27, 2023 | Carlos Preciado
Driver Diaries: Neil Langberg
2 min
Meet Neil Langberg. Neil races for Scuderia Corsa in the Ferrari Challenge North America series in car number 153.
Carlos Preciado
February 27, 2023
Q: How did you get started?
Having bought my first Ferrari in 2004, I kickstarted my racing love affair with Ferrari’s racing program Corsa Pilota in 2008 to learn more about the capabilities of the car and grow my driving skills. After a rocky start and some words of encouragement from the FNA team, from techs to coaches, I finally found both my footing, and my way to Ferrari Challenge.
Neil
Q: Who would you cite as your on-track inspiration and what do you find most rewarding about the sport?
At the same time that I began racing, my wife Nancy was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease, Relapsing Polychondritis (RP) which is sometimes fatal. 1 in 5 Americans suffer from some kind of autoimmune disease. Now, aside from the fun aspects of the sport, I have found another reason to race. An even more rewarding and profound one, namely focusing on autoimmune disease education with my Relapsing Polychondritis Foundation. Sometimes you can turn your greatest defeat into a victory... like transmuting Nancy’s diagnosis by sharing her story to fuel more autoimmune disease research. So, like we learn on the track - keep your eyes up, stay focused, and never lose hope.
Neil
Q: Which track do you find to be most challenging? Most enjoyable?
In 2022, I was sideswiped by a case of multiple myeloma, but I expect to be back on the track this year. The Ferrari Challenge paddock has been an emotional backstop during this period, learning that my favorite track is the one I am currently on. Life is full of apexes, and can change in an instant!
Neil
Q: What is your advice to those who wish to pursue racing?
I believe the one constant through all of this is that racing is a pursuit with no real finish line. It's a sport that tests your courage, your physical strength, and your mental capacity every single lap. But if you have the stamina to pursue it, the first and most important step is securing top-level instruction every time on track. It’s an absolute must, and I strive to do this without fail, and strongly recommend it to others that are interested in racing.
Neil
Follow Neil on Instagram @raceforrp
Learn more about the Relapsing Polychondritis Foundation
