Tecate Returns for 11th Straight Year to Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach

Tecate Light, the cerveza for those who want more, invites adults 21 and older in Southern California to enrich their experience at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 13-15, 2012, with live performances by award-winning Mexican band Belanova and legendary rock visionaries Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, the Miss Tecate Light Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach competition, ticket discounts at retail and much more.

To continue the tradition of ending the racing day with a live rock concert, the cerveza brand is proud to present Belanova as the headliner of Tecate Light Fiesta Friday. A fan favorite and critically acclaimed synthpop group from Guadalajara, Mexico, Belanova is known for tunes like “Tus Ojos" (“Your Eyes"), “Me Pregunto" (“I Wonder"), “Por Ti" (“For You"), and the more recent albums Sueño Electro I (Electro Dream I) and Sueño Electro II (Electro Dream II). Band members Denisse Guerrero (lead vocals), —Edgar Huerta (keyboards, programming) and Ricardo “Richie" Arreola (bass, guitar), will perform on the Convention Center outdoor stage on April 13 following racing activities.

On Saturday night after the races, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts will take the same stage during the Tecate Light Rock-N-Roar concert. Jett, leader of the hard-rocking Blackhearts, is widely-known as an originator, innovator and visionary, with eight platinum and gold albums and nine Top-40 singles, including the classics “Bad Reputation," “I Love Rock “N" Roll," “I Hate Myself for Loving You," “Do You Want to Touch," and “Crimson and Clover." Both concerts are free to race ticket holders.

“The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach has allowed us to celebrate the character of the races with our consumers during the last 11 years, and this year will not be the exception. We know that music has become an important element of the racing weekend, so we’re thrilled that Belanova and Joan Jett will be joining us on the Tecate Light Fiesta Friday and Rock-N-Roar stages to complement the daytime programming," said Felix Palau, VP of Marketing for the Tecate equity. “We encourage our consumers in Southern California to take advantage of our retail offers to ensure that they can also be a part of this celebration."

As the “Official Beer Sponsor" of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, Tecate Light will continue to make the racing event – including the concerts – accessible to as many fans 21 and older as possible by offering mail-in-rebates worth $100 off of a three-day reserved seating ticket, or $10 off a single day reserved seating admission, with the purchase of a 12-pack or larger of Tecate Light or Tecate at select retail locations throughout Southern California.

“Again this year Tecate Light has come up with an outstanding array of activities associated with the Grand Prix including two great concerts, unique hospitality experiences and pre-event promotions," said Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. “We know our fans will certainly enjoy all that Tecate Light has to offer."

In the weeks prior to the racing weekend, Tecate Light will be offering various promotions in selected bars, restaurants and nightclubs to consumers 21 years and older, including meet-and-greets with the Chicas Tecate Light brand ambassadors. Additionally, fans over 21 years old will be able to take advantage of mail-in-rebate and instant savings on the purchase of snacks and car cleaning products, as well as a 12-pack or larger of Tecate or Tecate Light at select retail locations.

As part of the Tecate Light Thunder Thursday “free-view" of racing activities on April 12 along Pine Avenue, fans will witness the crowning of the 2012 Miss Tecate Light Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach from amongst dozens of contestants who vied for the title in the weeks prior. That same night at participating bars and restaurants, the cerveza brand will be on-hand with special promotions, live music and more to treat consumers 21 and older.

During the racing weekend itself, adults 21 and older also will be able to enjoy a boldly refreshing Tecate and Tecate Light at “Pit Stop Pubs", lounges, sports bars and cantinas located throughout the race circuit and inside the Lifestyle Expo, and pose for pictures as racing champions with the Chicas Tecate Light brand ambassadors.

Fans can select and pay for their 2012 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 $26 for a Friday General Admission ticket to $130 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 including the exciting Vista Club – featuring a nearly 360-degree view of the race circuit – located high atop the Hyatt Regency Long Beach.

Fans can also follow the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on Facebook at GrandPrixLB and on Twitter @ToyotaGPLB. For more information on the Tecate Light promotions, sponsorship of the 2012 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach or to interview a brand executive, please contact FORMULATIN at (212) 219-0321.