Long Beach Grand Prix: Everything you need to know
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| The 41st Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is next weekend |
It’s April in Long Beach, the month when drivers like Mario Andretti, Al Unser Jr. and Paul Tracy have written their names in racing history by winning the city’s biggest event, the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Here’s a quick survival guide to the 41st annual running of the race April 17-19, which is again expected to draw more than 150,000 attendees over three days:
TICKETS: General admission tickets for all three days cost $77. Friday-only passes are $30, Saturday is $50 and Sunday is $57.
Seating packages run from $90 to $135 for all three days for adults, and $72-$105 for children under 12.
To purchase tickets, call 888-82-SPEECH or 562-981-2600, email tickets@gpalb.com or visit gplb.com.
GETTING THERE: The racetrack is located at 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. Parking passes can be purchased at a cost of $15 to $50. Disabled parking is also available. Spaces must be reserved in advance, and cars must display a reserved parking pass and a valid blue California disabled placard.
Private and public lots will also offer parking downtown, but organizers strongly suggest taking public transportation. Long Beach Transit (lbtransit.com, or call 562-591-2301) will be making schedule changes to accommodate visitors and relieve some of the congestion. Transit officials will also staff the Transit and Visitor Information Center at 130 E. First St. all weekend.
RACE INFO: Gates open at 7 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Some of the highlights of each day include:
• 12:30 p.m. Friday, Verizon IndyCar Series practice
• 2 p.m. Friday, driver autograph session
• 3 p.m. Friday, pro/celebrity race qualifying
• 6:45 p.m. Friday, Tecate Light Fiesta Concert
• 11:40 p.m. Saturday, pro/celebrity race
• 12:55 p.m. Saturday, Indy Lights qualifying race
• 3:30 p.m. Saturday, TUDOR championship pre-race
• 6:45 p.m. Saturday, Rock-N-Roar Concert featuring Vince Neil of Motley Crew
• 8:45 a.m. Sunday, Indy Lights race
• 1:30 p.m. Verizon IndyCar race
LIFESTYLE EXPO: Hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
The expo includes more than 150 displays with the latest automotive, home, recreation, travel and entertainment products and services. The Green Power Prix View will feature extensive, cutting-edge green technology that include hybrid, hydrogen and biodiesel cars.
The Family Fun Zone will include rock climbing walls, games, racing simulators and action sports demonstrations. Kids age 3 to 6 can also race in their own cars.
DON’TS: Racing fans are allowed to bring food, plastic bottles and ice chests smaller than 14 inches wide to the event.
But they’re not permitted to bring the following items to the track:
• Alcoholic beverages
• Glass bottles and cans
• Stadium seats
• Bikes and skateboards
• Skates and rollerblades
• Fireworks
• Pets (except service animals)
• Ladders and step stools
• Large umbrellas
• Lawn furniture
• Banners/signs
• Ice chests larger than 14 inches
DO’S: Wear comfortable walking shoes and consider using earplugs, especially for children. The various cars racing during the weekend are loud, particularly in confined areas of the circuit near underpasses.
WEATHER: In case of rain, spectators can bring ponchos or purchase one from vendors. It has never rained on race Sunday since the Long Beach Grand Prix started in 1975.
MORE INFO: To get more information on the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, go to
www.gplb.com.