Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach draws its biggest crowds in at least 18 years, organizers say

Alexander Rossi takes the checkered flag as a portion of the large crowd looks on

Photo by, Will Lester- Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG

More than 185,000 fans attended the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach during its three-day run this year, the largest crowd in at least 18 years, according to organizers.

After the weekend of racing, the screech of tires and roar of engines had faded from Downtown Sunday afternoon, but, on Monday, the man who helms the event chuckled at the suggestion that this meant the work was done.

“We’re nonstop because, for one, we have to now dismantle and move the entire circuit," said Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach.

Over the next few weeks they’ll be working to remove the infrastructure that greeted the 185,000 revelers.

Michaelian called that attendance number a modern-day record, the most since at least 2000, which, he said, is as far back as comparable records go. Last year, roughly 183,000 people attended the race, according to numbers from the Grand Prix.

A study commissioned by the Grand Prix Association last year estimated those guests spent more than $16 million at the race and around Long Beach during the three-day event.

On race weekend, nearby restaurants and shops along the waterfront usually see a significant bump in patrons, and this year, there seemed to be an uptick over last, according to Christina Mancebo, marketing and communications manager for the Downtown Long Beach Alliance.

That boon of possible customers spilled up Pine Avenue as well where there was a marked increase in foot traffic, according to Mancebo.

Michaelian credited the pumped-up crowd numbers to a revamped digital marketing campaign, stabilized economy, rebirth of Downtown Long Beach and an IndyCar racing series that’s on the rise.

“We’re delighted with the way things went and now we’re in the process of getting things cleaned up and getting everything removed as fast as we can," he said.

Crews were already scrambling Monday morning to disassemble the grandstands along Shoreline Drive, and by the end of the day, they planned to have the stretch of road in front of the Aquarium and nearby restaurants back to normal operation.

Rossi stretches the field

In about a week, Grand Prix organizers will meet for a debrief session and begin planning for next year, according to Michaelian.

After a hectic weekend, Michaelian said the best part of the Grand Prix comes Sunday night when the crowds start leaving.

As families and friends file out, Michaelian watches, talking to fans and trying to read their body language, hoping to glean whether the event met their expectations.

“My favorite moment is on Sunday night when I can stand and watch people leaving and they give you a thumbs up," he said.

At 44 years running, Michaelian said he thinks the Grand Prix has inspired a generational loyalty among fans. He hopes that will keep the crowds growing.

“We want people to bring their families and come and enjoy themselves," he said. Long Beach Press Telegram