Groundwork for Long Beach Grand Prix nears its finish

Around the fountain in Long Beach

It's 25 days until the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach roars into town, and infrastructure preparations have shifted into high gear. The 1.968 mile, temporary road course winds its way around the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and The Pike. Concrete barriers are in place and grandstands are being built along south Pine Avenue, Seaside Way, Shoreline Drive and Aquarium Way.

Ticket prices for the three-day event are unchanged for the third consecutive year, running from $25 for a Friday general admission ticket to $125 for a three-day pass, which includes Saturday reserved seating in the grandstand upper levels.

Tickets already are selling well, and more than 170,000 spectators are expected to attend the Grand Prix, which is on track with last year's attendance, said Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach.

Eighty-six percent of attendees reside in Southern California, while the remaining 14 percent travel here from the Central Valley, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Phoenix, Michaelian said.

For out-of-towners looking for lodging and restaurants, the Grand Prix's official Web site www.gplb.com has an in-depth list of dining and accommodations under "The Track" link. Press Telegram