41st annual Long Beach Grand Prix another hit with fans

Castroneves takes the lead at the start

A three-day weekend of fast cars, music, crashes, food and perfect weather in one of the most popular cities in America? What’s not to love? The 41st annual Toyota Long Beach Grand Prix once again took over downtown, the buzz of engines and crowds spread out over 72 hours that has already made its mark in the history books.

“It was probably the best operated race in the history, everything occurred on time we set everyone of the best mark we set for us..our team should be proud of the face that they part of the best run event we’ve had in 41 years" said the President/CEO of the Grand Prix Association Jim Michaelian. “I’ve gotten a lot of thumbs up and ‘I’ve had a great weekend’ from people."

And like always the final day drew the biggest crowd, race day, Sir Patrick Stewart served as the race’s grand marshal, the Englishman bellowing the famous “Drivers, start your engines" out across the city.

At the end of 80 laps it was the Kiwi Scott Dixon in the no. 9 car holding off the field for his first win of the season and first win at Long Beach to became the 41st champion.

“Obviously this (win) ranks very high with the history and different kind of races that have been here. It’s always been a race I’ve always wanted to win…it stands out because of the history and the prominence “said Dixon, who had made eight starts at the Grand Prix prior to Sunday’s win. “Today and even yesterday the grandstands were packed for qualifying…there was so many people, that’s what Indy car needs. I kept saying I can’t believe how many people are here this is just a fantastic weekend."

Michaelian stating this year’s numbers projected to be similar to last year’s Grand Prix, which reached just over 180,000 attendees over the three days, the best mark in 10 years.

Since the Grand Prix’s inception in 1975 the race has continued to push the city as one of the sport’s premier courses not just in the U.S. but the world.

“I think the Grand Prix has put Long Beach on the (racing) map," said Cathy Telaneus, who has volunteered at every single Grand Prix as part of the Committee 300 Club. “My husband and I were walking down a street in Monte Carlo, I was wearing my Grand Prix wind breaker and a taxi driver pulls over and asks if we are from Long Beach."

But to call the Grand Prix just a race is like calling the Super Bowl just a football game. It’s officially an event, any attendant, race fan or not, fully capable of enjoying the weekend without stepping foot into the grand stands to watch an actual race; between the return of the Lifestyle Expo and the Family Fun Zone housed in the Long Beach Arena and Saturday evening’s Rock-N-Roar concert, headlined by Motley Crue’s Vince Neil, there was something for everyone.

And don’t forget the food.

If you entered the Grand Prix’s festivities on a diet, chances are it was broken in the time it took the cars to zoom down the Shoreline Drive straight away, where racers reached upwards of 159 mile per hour.

The massive amounts of fries, with a brick structure that becomes obvious when witnessing the amount of cheese and chili mounted on, oozing down the salty goodness. Mountains of Ice cream? Check. Tacos made to order? Of course. Corn dogs so big the integrity of the stick they sit on is question? Right this way.

And it wouldn’t be Grand Prix weekend without the celebrities.

NFL star wide receiver DeSean Jackson returned home, the former Long Beach Poly Jackrabbit who used to make grand plays not far from the race site, serving as the Celebrity/Pro Race grand marshal.

Olympic swimmer Dara Torres, actor Mekhi Phifer and the race’s unofficial mayor Rutledge Wood, NBC’s resident race analyst, were part of the celebrity field and of course defending champion, actor Brett Davern, was back.

Although the MTV star had his title taken away in stunning fashion by past champion and former Fresh Prince of Bel Air star Alfonso Ribeiro, his first race downtown since 1995 and fourth overall.

Ribeiro pulled off the rare feat of finishing first overall as the professional, starting in 14th place behind the entire celebrity field, but dazzled the crowd with his speed and aggression, taking over first place in the fourth lap.

Fans were only slightly disappointed that Ribeiro did not celebrate with his world famous Carlton Dance, but a champagne war with Dave Pastan, the race’s professional winner, was a solid substitute.

“Long Beach is amazing, I love it down here," said Ribeiro, a three-time champion. “I absolutely love what you have down in Long Beach, it’s really beautiful."

“This is a great event," said Davern to the packed media room, “that should never end."

He wasn’t joking. Redlands Daily