:''For the
Formula One race, see
United States Grand Prix West.''
The 'Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach' is the premier circuit in the
Champ Car World Series. It is an
open-wheel race held on a temporary
road course in Long Beach, California. Until 2007, it had historically been the first event in the World Series each year. In 2007, it was replaced as the season opening race by the
Vegas Grand Prix.
The Long Beach Grand Prix is also the longest running major "street" race held on the North American continent, having completed its 33rd event. Attendance for the weekend regularly reaches or exceeds 200,000 people.
The
Long Beach Grand Prix in April is the single largest event in Long Beach. It started in
1975 as a
Formula 5000 race on the streets of downtown, and became a
Formula One event the following year. Since
1984 it has been a
Champ Car event. During the same week as the Grand Prix, there are also
Trans-Am, and
Toyota Atlantic races, plus a Historic Grand Prix featuring pre-1990 cars, and the Toyota Pro/Celebrity race. The
Toyota Celica was often used as race cars in the Pro/Celebrity Race from late 1970s to 2005, and replaced by
Scion tC in 2006. The Celica
All-trac Turbo was a
Pace Car in the Grand Prix of Long Beach from
1988 to
1992.
The Long Beach Grand Prix has been announced since 1978 by Bruce Flanders (and his assorted guest announcers) and is frequently a fan favorite.
Long Beach street circuit
Events
2005 Long Beach Grand Prix, showing turn 10 and the Long Beach skyline
Boris Said competes at the
2005 Long Beach Grand Prix
Although the Champ Car World Series is the main event, a number of other races are also held. On April 8, 2006, the
Grand-Am Daytona Prototypes took to the streets, replacing the suspended
Trans-Am Series. For 2007, the
American Le Mans Series will replace Grand-Am. Other races include the
Champ Car Atlantic Championship and the popular
Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race. Additionally, a week of fairs, music, and promotional activities is held.
The track
The current race circuit is a 1.968-mile temporary road course carved out of the city streets surrounding the Convention Center of
Long Beach, California. It is particularly noted for its last section, which sees a
hairpin turn followed by a long, slightly curved front straightaway which runs the length of
Shoreline Drive. The circuit is situated on the Long Beach waterfront, and is lined with
palm trees (especially along the front straightaway), making for a scenic track.
Drifting
Beginning in 2005 the event included a demonstration by participants in the
Formula D drifting series, in which participants engage in controlled slides, moving their cars sideways across the track.
Previous winners
Formula 5000 history
Formula One history
Champ Car history
External links
★
Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach
★
Champ Car World Series
★
Satellite picture by Google Maps
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