The drivers are in town, the race cars are in the paddock, the vendors are set up, the concert stage is set and the 49th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is ready to roar by the shore!
When the spectator gates open Friday at 7:30 a.m., fans will be treated to three days of Southern California’s annual rite of spring, an event that is as much of a part of the landscape as palm trees and sunshine.
There will be plenty of the latter on the weekend, with pleasantly warm temperatures to match. The highs are in the low 70s for Friday and Saturday and rise to a perfect 75 on Sunday.
This year’s event features six exciting racing series, GT America sports cars, the always-wild Super STADIUM trucks, the sliding and tire-burning Super Drift Challenge, the Historic Indy Cars proving a flashback to the Grand Prix’s storied past, the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.
Yet the Grand Prix goes beyond race cars speeding down Shoreline Drive and other downtown city streets. Throughout the years, it has became an event, a happening. And 2024 delivers again with driver autograph sessions; an Expo; food, drink and merchandise vendors and two free concerts. Don’t miss any of this by downloading the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach app, available in Apple App store for iPhones or Google Play for Android phones.
We highly encourage you to check out the Expo, located inside the Convention Center. The popular NTT INDYCAR SERIES Fan Experience is held there and new to this year, Cooler Master is bringing DYN X Racing Challenge simulators for a sim racing tournament. Fine brands like Omologato watches, Race Car Jewelry and MoonShine Chocolate will have displays, as well as Long Beach City College and Universal Technical Institute.
In the Long Beach Arena, the Expo’s Family Fun Zone has a new feature, free-to-ride “Lil’ Lightning Racers,” electric-powered cars for kids ages 3-7. There are also kid-friendly giant inflatables, a bungee jump and much more.
All around the track there are food and drink stations. There is the Food Truck Village behind Grandstand 31, Modelo beer is sold at many locations, there is the Nocaut Tequila Club in Vendor Row, NOS energy drink has sampling at locations behind Grandstands 16 and 31 and Pepsi and Aquafina water are available throughout the circuit.
There are two driver autograph sessions. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES Fan Appreciation activity on Friday starting at 5 p.m., in the INDYCAR Paddock and the IMSA WeatherTech autograph session Saturday from 10:30-11 a.m., in the IMSA paddock.
A different kind of entertainment takes the stage on Friday and Saturday at the performing arts center with a pair of concerts. On Friday, DJ Ape Drums performs; his signature sound mixes Caribbean and Latin-inspired rhythms with house music and pop. On Saturday it’s the “Redneck Woman” herself, Gretchen Wilson, along with country music stars Eddie Montgomery and David Lee Murphy, backed by the high-energy band SIXWIRE, making for an All-Star jam.
If you’re here on Sunday be sure and arrive early because the pre-race atmosphere for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is one of the most spectacular aspects of being here. It starts with the History Indy Car race #2 at 10:45 and continues with pace car rides, jet flyovers, the National Anthem and the always exciting “Gentlemen Start Your Engines” announcement.
Also, more than 100 classic and exotic cars on display from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Mothers Exotic Car Paddock, just across the bridge east of Turns 9-11.
It is all of these activities that make the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach an event that has dazzled people for 49 years. And counting.
Tickets are still available at gplb.com!
