Standing Start for Long Beach GP

1983 Standing Start for final F1 race at Long Beach

The 40th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, set to take place April 11-13, will feature a standing start for the IndyCar Series race, the first time a standing start will take place for the featured race in Long Beach since the final Champ Car World Series race ran here in 2008 and just the second time since the Formula One era ended in 1983.

“One of the unique parts of IndyCar racing is its different formulas – racing on short ovals, superspeedways, street and road courses – and standing starts is another one of those components that in the right place at the right time is good to showcase," said Derrick Walker, INDYCAR President of Competition and Operations. “It’s a great location and I think the fans will like it. Long Beach has a history of standing starts, and in its 40th anniversary race this ties in with that tradition."

Since the IndyCar Series’ arrival in Long Beach in 2009, the series has incorporated a rolling start to each race, where the drivers take three warm-up laps in their qualifying order behind a pace car then continue through the start line to begin the race. Under the standing start procedure in the official INDYCAR rule book, the drivers will take two formation laps on the 1.97-mile, 11-turn temporary street circuit and then line up according to their starting order. When all cars are in position, a five-second signal will be given by illuminating one pair of red lights. A countdown to the start will illuminate a pair of red lights every second. After a random delay of between 0.5 and four seconds, the race is started by all the red lights being extinguished.

Strung out ridiculous rolling start in 2013

Ken Sklute

“This is fantastic news for our fans," said Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. “They will love hearing the sounds of the IndyCar engines revving up and then the cars roaring down Shoreline Drive. Thanks to IndyCar and especially to Derrick Walker for granting our request. This is a great addition to all of the other activities we have planned as we celebrate 40 years of racing in the streets of Long Beach."

In addition to the IndyCar Series race, which will start at approximately 1:45 p.m. PT, the 40th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach will feature the Tequila Patr¢n Sports Car Showcase with the cars of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, Pro/Celebrity Race, Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires, Pirelli World Challenge, SPEED Energy Stadium Super Trucks and Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge.

Fans can select and pay for their 2014 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach seats, parking and paddock passes online at gplb.com. Ticket orders can also be placed by calling the toll-free ticket hotline, (888) 82-SPEED. Also featured on gplb.com is the latest Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach news, downloadable ticket brochure and racetrack information, photos and ongoing announcements of special race week activities.

Ticket prices range from $28 for a Friday General Admission ticket to $135 for a three-day ticket that includes Sat./Sun. reserved seating in grandstand upper levels. Pre-paid parking packages are also available, along with handicapped seating, IndyCar Paddock passes, Super Photo tickets and a wide variety of Hospitality Club packages.

Fans can also follow the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on Facebook at GrandPrixLB, Twitter @ToyotaGPLB (#TGPLB40) and Instagram at ToyotaGPLB.