LONG BEACH CITY COUNCIL EXTENDS TOYOTA GRAND PRIX CONTRACT

The partnership that has produced the country’s premier street race has been extended.

The Long Beach City Council, in a unanimous vote, has renewed the city’s contract with the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach LLC, guaranteeing that the  Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach will be racing on the city streets through 2015, with an additional five-year option that could carry it through the year 2020.

“On behalf of race fans throughout Southern California, we’d like to thank Mayor Bob Foster and the City Council for their continued support and confidence,” said Jim Michaelian, CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach LLC.

“We will be proud to continue staging the best street race possible and, through TV and media coverage, showcase the many tremendous attributes of the city.”

The 34^th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach will feature six races -- the Champ Car World Series, Toyota Pro/Celebrity, Tequila Patron American Le Mans Series, EZ Lube Team Drift/Super Lap Challenge, Imperial Capital Bank Atlantics and SPEED GT Presented by Applied Computer Solutions – dueling on the 1.97-mile street circuit April 18-20.

And, for the first time, race cars will take to the streets on a Thursday. The American Le Mans Series and Drifting cars will run practice laps from 3-5:45 p.m. Thurs., April 17, followed by a variety of special events including Tecate “Thunder on Pine,” free admission to the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Shark Lagoon, “Tuner Thursday at the Pike” and “Racemania at Shoreline Village.” 

All Thursday activities are free to the public.

Race weekend will also feature the Grand Prix’s groundbreaking “Green Power Prix-View” and an expanded Lifestyle and Alternative Energy Expo, aimed at exploring renewable energy sources as they apply not only to the California lifestyle, but to the world of fast cars, as well.

Ticket prices for Friday through Sunday at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach range from $25 for a Friday General Admission ticket (no reserved seat) to $125 for a three-day ticket that includes Saturday and Sunday reserved seating in grandstand upper levels.  Pre-paid parking packages are also available.