Nostalgia and new thrills will abound when the Grand Prix of Long Beach takes over the city’s downtown next weekend — with the iconic street race celebrating a key milestone.
The Grand Prix, the popular 200 mph beach party, as race organizers describe it, will take place from Friday to Sunday, April 11-13. And while the drivers competing in various races will once again be in the spotlight, the street race itself will also be feted all weekend — as it marks its 50th anniversary.
And boy, will there be a lot going on.
There will be multiple races, practice runs and qualifying for motorsports enthusiasts. There will be a lifestyle expo for those who want to check out the latest automobile-related products. There will be plenty of options to eat, drink and even dance for those who want to live it up. And there will even be a kids zone for families. Plus, several motorsports legends will be honored.
And that’s not even close to all.
So to help you make sense of it all, below is a schedule of Grand Prix events.
Thursday, April 10
- 11 a.m.-noon: Jim Michaelian, the longtime president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, former Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neill and six-time IndyCar champ Scott Dixon will be inducted into the city’s Motorsports Walk of Fame.
- 6-10 p.m.: The annual Thunder Thursday event at the Pike Outlets, which is free to attend.
Friday, April 11
- 7:30 a.m.: Gates open.
- 7:45-8:15 a.m.: GT America practice No. 1.
- 9-10 a.m.: IMSA practice No. 1.
- 10:15-10:35 a.m.: Historic Formula Exhibition practice.
- 11:40 a.m.-12:10 p.m.: GT America practice No. 2.
- 12:25-12:45 p.m.: Stadium Super Trucks practice.
- 1-2:30 p.m.: IMSA practice No. 2.
- 3:05-4:25 p.m.: NTT IndyCar Series practice No. 1.
- 4:35-4:50 p.m.: GT America qualifying.
- 5-6 p.m.: NTT IndyCar Series autograph session.
- 5:10-6 p.m.: IMSA qualifying.
- 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Super Drift Challenge No. 1.
- 6:30-8 p.m.: Friday Concert, starring Canadian JD duo DVBBS.
- 8:30 p.m.: Gates close.
Saturday, April 12
- 7:30 a.m.: Gates open.
- 7:45-8:05 a.m.: Historic Formula Exhibition practice No. 2.
- 8:30-9:30 a.m.: NTT IndyCar Series practice No. 2.
- 10:30-11 a.m.: IMSA WeatherTech autograph session.
- 10:45-11:05 a.m.: Historic Formula Exhibition No. 1.
- 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: NTT IndyCar Series qualifying and Firestone Fast 6.
- 1-2 p.m.: IMSA pre-race.
- 1-1:45 p.m.: Grand Prix legends autograph session.
- 2-4 p.m.: IMSA SportsCar Grand Prix.
- 4:30-5 p.m.: Stadium SUPER Trucks Race No. 1.
- 5:20-6 p.m.: GT America Race No. 1.
- 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Super Drift Challenge No. 2.
- 6:30-8 p.m.: Saturday night concert, starring Foreigner.
- 8:30 p.m.: Gates close.
Sunday, April 13
- 7:30 a.m.: Gates open.
- 9-9:30 a.m.: NTT IndyCar Series warm-up.
- 10:45-11:05 a.m.: Historic Formula Exhibition No. 2.
- 11:20 a.m.-noon: GT America Race No. 2.
- 12:15-12:30 p.m.: Mothers Exotic Car Parade.
- 12:50-1:30 p.m.: NTT IndyCar Series pre-race.
- 1:15 p.m.: “Drivers, Start Your Engines!”
- 1:30-4 p.m.: Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.
- 4:30-5 p.m.: Stadium SUPER Trucks Race No. 2.
- 5:30 p.m.: Gates close.