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| NTT INDYCAR Race 2023 AGPLB around the fountain. Image Credit: Sandra E. Bartley (2023) |
Countdown To The 2024 ACURA Grand Prix Of Long Beach
In a few days Long Beach, California will be hosting another 200 mph beach
party better known as the 49th running of the Long Beach Grand Prix
featuring the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Race on Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 12:35
P.M. PT.
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| IMSA WeatherTech GTD sportscars through Turn 10 at the 2023 AGPLB. Image Credit: Sandra E. Bartley (2023) |
In addition to INDYCAR there are numerous other races including IMSA
WeatherTech, GT America Series Race (aka gentlemen’s racing series), Super
Drift Challenge and Robby Gordon’s Stadium SUPER Trucks. The Historic INDY
Car Challenge makes another appearance this year and you never know who is
going to be driving these vintage race cars. These cars are usually
privately owned by collectors and, or vintage racers. Since not all vintage
car owners are drivers they seek out licensed race drivers to drive their
race cars and it’s a usual practice.
Last year there were at least two drivers with special credentials. Patrick
Long, a multiple Porsche champion driver and Zak Brown, former pro driver
champion who is the CEO of McLaren Racing, McLaren Formula 1, took time out
of their hectic schedules to drive.
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| Robby Gordon’s Stadium SUPER Truck Race 2023 AGPLB. Image Credit: Sandra E. Bartley (2023) |
The Stadium SUPER Truck races and the Super Drift Challenge are always major fan favorites. There is a stark difference between watching these races in person versus seeing them on television. Everyone loves them, including the kids.
Mothers Car Care Products will host another exotic car parade, one lap
around the 1.3 mile track. If we’re lucky, maybe someone will show up
driving an Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate (last of the V12’s), a Koenigsegg
or a Pagaini Zonda HP Barchetta. I hope so.
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| 2024 Acura NSX, Type S is a great choice if the idea of a supercar that you can use every day appeals to you. Image Credit: ACURA.com (2024) |
ACURA will demonstrate hot laps with the ACURA Type S/NSX. In addition, you’ll find some of their vehicles on display in the Lifestyle Expo which is all part of the race festivities. But, there is so much more to experience during the 3 days of racing and festivities. The indoor Lifestyle Expo offers a variety of things to see at no charge with a race ticket. Inside the arena you can find video games, race cars on display, new vehicles, snacks and food to purchase, artwork to enjoy or buy and last year a vendor was giving away beautiful t-shirts. One year there was a zip-line inside the arena. There is a concert outside the main entrance to the Grand Prix on Saturday night around 6:00 P.M.
If you happen to be in Long Beach on On April 18th the annual Motorsports
Walk of Fame Ceremony takes place at 11:00 AM on South Pine Avenue next to
the Long Beach Convention Center and is open to the public at no cost and no
ticket is required. Just show up. This year’s inductees are Katherine Legge,
a very talented driver who has competed in the NASCAR Infinity Series, IMSA
SportsCar as well as IndyCar. In fact, last year she became the fastest
female ever to qualify at the Indianapolis 500 Race.
Speaking of the INDY 500, the other inductee for the 2024 Long Beach Walk of
Fame is Takuma Sato from Tokyo, Japan, who has won the INDY 500 twice, in
2017 and 2020. And this fierce competitor knows his way around the Long
Beach track just fine. You guessed it. Takuma won the ACURA Grand Prix of
Long Beach in 2013. The event is short, one hour, but fun. You may have the
chance to say hello to both of these drivers.
The Acura Grand Prix is quite easy to get to. For example, it is 18 miles
south of LAX, Los Angeles International Airport and 22 miles south of
downtown Los Angeles. If you’re driving, the freeway access is very good.
There are numerous parking lots nearby and hotel parking lots. Rates vary
but are at least $30.00 - $50. per vehicle. For ticket information and all
the details you can search, “ACURA Grand Prix of Long Beach 2024” and it
will take you to the website. Make sure you’re viewing the 2024 schedule.
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Long Beach racetrack and Pike Amusement Park 2023, is open
during the weekend Image Credit: Sandra E. Bartley (2023)
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The ACURA Grand Prix of Long Beach is a fabulous event. The President and CEO of the LBGP Association, Jim Michaelian, his staff, all of the sponsors and hundreds of volunteers make creative and valuable contributions to entertain us. The weather is always good in Long Beach in April, the facility is friendly and safe. There are a few dozen restaurants across the street from the event or nearby. Book a reservation if you’re going to a restaurant, but little bistros can take walk-ins. Wear comfortable shoes and take lots of photos. Bring a friend, bring your family or come alone - you’ll have a great time. This writer has attended the LBGP event about 30 times. I’ll see you there at the races.
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| Andretti Autosport Team (now known as Andretti Global), Winner 2023 AGPLB. Image Credit: Sandra E. Bartley (2023) |
Photos and Story by Sandra E. Bartley
Published with permission by Motorsports Journal
Sandra E. Bartley was a member of the PPG CART IndyCar Pace Car Team. She
has driven on this racetrack at the former Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach
multiple years.
... notes from
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