IndyCar/IMSA: Thunder Thursday at The Pike Outlets Kicks Off Acura GP of Long Beach
–Press Release–
Southern California’s 200-mph Beach Party gets underway Thursday evening, April 13, with the popular Thunder Thursday at The Pike Outlets.
A free-to-the-public event that annually marks the start of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach race weekend, Thunder Thursday starts at 6 p.m. with activities for the entire family.
Presented by the Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, Thunder Thursday will include a new format for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES pit stop competition on Shoreline Drive, west of Pine Ave., lighting up the streets at 6:45 p.m. This year there will be a head-to-head competition featuring four cars representing four INDYCAR teams: the #15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda with driver Graham Rahal, the #06 Meyer Shank Racing Honda with driver Helio Castroneves, the #2 Penske Racing Chevrolet with driver Josef Newgarden and the #78 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet with driver Agustin Canapino.
In addition, the always-exciting Freestyle Kings freestyle motocross demonstrations will take over Shoreline Drive briefly at 6:30 p.m. and for a full show at 7:45 p.m. Spectator viewing for these events will be located in and around the three grandstands north of Shoreline Dr. adjacent to The Pike Outlets.
“We’re elated to welcome Thunder Thursday back to The Pike Outlets for the sixth year! This year we’re adding some new faces to the event including an all-female motorcycle show, Iron Goddess Motorcycle Show, on Bay Street and new food options like Kalaveras. Thunder Thursday is a great way for locals and visitors to get a taste of Long Beach and Grand Prix all at once,” said Morgan Blank, director of marketing at The Pike Outlets. “We can’t wait to see you and your crew for an action-packed night of free, family fun!”
“We’re proud to be sponsoring Thunder Thursday,” said Steve Goodling, President & CEO of the Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We hope that everyone comes out to enjoy great family-friendly entertainment, racing and more to get ready for a terrific weekend!”
Within The Pike Outlets, fans will enjoy interactive photo booths and live music from The Brobots Band on the stage in the Main Plaza. Food will also be available in the Main Plaza, as will, for fans 21 and older, a Beer Garden hosted by the Auld Dubliner and sponsored by SOLID Property Services.
Other attractions include a classic car show located on The Paseo, with local antique and vintage cars; race cars from the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship including the all-new Acura ARX-06 hybrid GT Prototype (GTP) car, and Porsche Carrera Cup series that will race over the weekend, and for the first time, Iron Goddess, an all-female motorcycle show on Bay Street. Plus, the IMSA and Porsche drivers will sign autographs!
Fans will also have an opportunity to pick up an Acura Grand Prix weekend coupon booklet and a chance to win prizes and special retail offers with The Pike Outlet’s street team.
Parking for Thunder Thursday at The Pike Outlets will be available in the Pike Parking structure at Chestnut Place off Ocean Blvd.
The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach will take place April 14-16. For more information, visit gplb.com.