Southern California’s high-speed weekend is about to kick off — but before the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach gets officially underway, Thunder Thursday will rev up the party.
The community event, as its name suggests, will take place on the eve of the Grand Prix, offering a free taste of what the city’s “200-mph beach party” has to offer.
Thunder Thursday — organized by Visit Long Beach, otherwise known as the city’s Convention & Visitors Bureau — will take place at the Pike Outlets. The four-hour evening event will feature an NTT IndyCar Series pit stop competition along Shoreline Drive, with four drivers competing for a $10,000 prize, according to a recent news release from the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach.
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Those drivers are Penske Chevrolet’s Josef Newgarden, Marcus Armstrong with Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, Santino Ferucci with Foyt Racing Chevrolet and Andretti Global Honda’s Marcus Ericsson.
“The first round will pit Newgarden’s team against Armstrong’s and Ferucci’s team versus Ericsson’s team,” the news release said. “The winners of that round will move on to the finals.”
Thunder Thursday will also delight with two extravagant motocross demonstrations by the Freestyle Kings. There will be a brief show at 6:30 p.m. and a full performance at 7:45 p.m.
“Nothing gets you closer to the sights and sounds of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach than Thunder Thursday,” said Morgan Blank, a representative of the Pike Outlets. “We’re excited to welcome locals and race-fans alike back to The Pike Outlets for the sixth time to enjoy classic cars, race cars, motorcycles, shopping and more.”
Thunder Thursday will also offer a classic car show on The Paseo, autograph signings with various drivers, a beer garden and various food vendors — and live music.
Related: To read the rest of our Grand Prix of Long Beach coverage, click here.
Manuel The Band and The Moon Jays will put on a show for Thunder Thursday visitors on the stage in the main plaza at The Pike, the news release said.
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“Visit Long Beach is proud to sponsor Thunder Thursday,” Steve Goodling, Visit Long Beach’s president and CEO, said in the news release, “to give Long Beach residents a chance to experience the sights and sounds of America’s premier street race right in our own backyard.”
Thunder Thursday
When: 6-10 p.m. Thursday, April 18
Where: The Pike Outlets in downtown Long Beach
Cost: Free
Parking: The Pike Parking Structure at Chestnut Place off Ocean Boulevard
Information: visitlongbeach.com