ACURA GRAND PRIX OF LONG BEACH
April 12, 13, 14, 2019
Round #4 – 2019 Season
GENERAL INFO – This event is the 45th running of the Long Beach Grand Prix. The Long Beach course is a temporary road course on the streets of downtown Long Beach, CA. Parking is a premium at this event, as it is downtown area with many businesses and high rise buildings. The race has been on the NTT IndyCar Series schedule since 2009, truly the largest and most successful temporary street course event in the US.
The temps can be hot, with spotty areas of shade or seating at the event. Remember to bring the hat and sunscreen, expect to walk everywhere, sometimes parking blocks from the venue itself. Dress appropriately starting with comfortable shoes.
Lots of vendors throughout the course including a Food Truck Expo. Make sure to find the Mothers Exotic Car Paddock. Free Friday and Saturday night concerts at the Lifestyle Expo including a Family Fun Zone with racing simulators, kids racing cars, computer games and action sports. Also, an exhibit that highlights the 45 years of history of the Long Beach Grand Prix. Long Beach gives fans plenty to keep busy besides the noisy race cars!
An early kickoff on Thursday night to the weekend of racing activities will be at the Pike Outlets, at Pine Avenue and Shoreline Drive. This free festival will contain a pit stop competition on Shoreline Drive, a stunt motorcycle show and freestyle motocross demonstrations. A display of local antique and vintage cars will also be on display at The Paseo. Combine it with the shops and restaurants in the vicinity and it looks like the place to be Thursday evening.
The NTT IndyCar Series will share the schedule with the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Challenge; Robby Gordon’s Stadium SUPER Trucks; Pirelli GT4 American series; and a Historic IMSA GTO Challenge events, featuring cars of the 70s, 80s and 90s.
SPECIFIC LOCATION – 300 E Ocean BL, Long Beach, CA 90802. Downtown Long Beach, CA.
TRACK WEBSITE – gplb.com
TRACK CONFIGURATION – Temporary street course on the streets of downtown Long Beach, CA. 1.97 miles in length with 11 turns.
PREFERRED AIRPORTS – Los Angeles International (LAX): John Wayne Airport (SNA) located in Santa Ana, CA: Hollywood Burbank Airport located in Burbank (BUR).
PARKING – Parking in Long Beach can be a challenge, expect to pay wherever you park. There are numerous parking lots downtown, but they fill up quickly. On Friday of race weekend, businesses are open, so locals fill the lots early. The track has some parking areas, but it is recommended to get a reserved spot asap. Call 1-888-827-7333 for details. For ADA parking, call the ticket number for further information. Mass transit offers alternatives to driving. 24 hr. bus route from Long Beach Transit (www.lbtransit.com). Metrolink Trains offer a weekend pass (www.Metrolinktrains.com).
CREDENTIALS – All credentials can be picked up at the Hilton Long Beach, 701 W. Ocean BL, a few blocks from the track. This is also the official track hotel. Proceed to the Catalina Room on the second floor – follow signs! A credential or general admission ticket will not gain you access to a grandstand. Paddock passes are for sale, weekend or daily, call ticket number to purchase. No grandstand or general admission tickets available at this location.
ENTRY POINTS – Remember the track is downtown (Track Map). Six entry locations and are marked well with signage. 1/Aquarium Way; 2/Promenade/Ocean; 3/Long Beach BL; 4/ShorelineDr.; 5/Alamitos and Marina; 6/Chestnut at the Pike Outlets.
TICKET INFO – 1-888-827-7333. All spectators must have a grandstand ticket to enter a grandstand A credential or general admission ticket will not give you access to a grandstand. Paddock passes are for sale, weekend or daily. Refer to tickets@gpalb.com. Some unreserved stands are available for Friday and Saturday. All Sunday stands are reserved. Guests requiring ADA seating, call ticket number for information. Will call is at 300 E. Ocean BL.
PROHIBITED ITEMS – No smoking or vaping is allowed in any grandstand. Coolers are not to exceed 14”x14”x14”. No alcoholic beverages and no glass bottles allowed in. No folding stadium seats, no bicycles, skateboards, skates, rollerblades, ladders, stepstools, lawn furniture, hoverboards, drones, large umbrellas, fireworks, large banners, firearms, weapons, knives, mace or zappers. Max seat cushion is 11”x14” and no pets, except service animals.
CAMPING – Seriously – this is downtown! Get a hotel!!
QUESTIONS – gplb.com
Submitted by Judy Bickel, IndyCar Nation member