World Challenge Returns to Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach
Since 2006, World Challenge teams and drivers have battled it out on the 11-turn, 1.968-mile temporary street course. From 2006 to 2009, only the World Challenge GT class ran at Long Beach. In 2010, fans were treated to a World Challenge race that included GT, GTS and Touring Car fields – a first for the series. All World Challenge classes will race again at Long Beach in 2011.
"Once again, the World Challenge Championships have been invited back to the streets of Long Beach for the 'Roar by the Shore,'" said Scott Bove, Director of Operations, WC Vision. "As in 2010, entries will be held at 36 cars for the event and we again anticipate filling all available race spots and having a waiting list."
"The World Challenge Series has provided our fans with a spectacular concluding race on our Toyota Grand Prix weekend and next year should be no different," said Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. "The Series has truly grown over the past few years and the variety of manufacturers involved makes for some very intense competition."
A three-day crowd of over 170,000 will see six big racing events at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, headlined by the IZOD IndyCar Series. Also included during the race weekend is the American Le Mans Series Presented by Tequila Patr¢n, the popular Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, Firestone Indy Lights and drifting.
World Challenge's announcement comes as part of the schedule release for 2011. WC Vision and SCCA Pro Racing announced details of an 8-event, 12-race 2011 schedule today. The series will begin its season March 25-27 on the Streets of St. Petersburg.
The World Challenge is North America's top production car-based racing championship. Divided into three separate classes (World Challenge GT, World Challenge GTS, and World Challenge Touring Car), races follow a sprint format and are 50 minutes start to finish. Each race features a thrilling standing start, adrenaline filled door-to-door action, and top-notch drivers. Drivers pilot cars from the world's most popular manufacturers, featuring race-prepped versions of the cars consumers drive on the streets.
The World Challenge is sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing and races at North America's premier road and temporary street courses. For more information on World Challenge, visit www.world-challenge.com.
Ticket prices for the three-day Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach 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, IZOD IndyCar Paddock passes, Super Photo tickets and a wide variety of Hospitality Club packages including the exciting Vista Club located high atop the Hyatt Regency Long Beach.
Credit card orders for the 2011 event weekend will be accepted at the toll-free ticket hotline, (888) 82-SPEED, or online by visiting gplb.com. The website also includes updates on 2011 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach news, ticket information downloads and ongoing announcements of special race week activities.
A printed ticket brochure that includes a circuit map, ticket prices, order form and other race weekend information can be obtained by calling the hotline.