The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach has added a new competition this year that will likely excite veteran racing fans – and perhaps draw younger ones into the long legacy of IndyCar racing.
Vintage race cars from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s will circle the track during the Historic Indy Car Challenge during the 49th Grand Prix of Long Beach, which will run from Friday to Sunday, April 19-21. There will be one practice session each on Friday and Saturday, with one 20-minute race on both Saturday and Sunday. to its lineup of racing events that during twin 20-minute races on both Saturday and Sunday during the April 19-21 race weekend.
For many, it will be their first time getting to witness these IndyCars on the downtown circuit. But for others, it will bring back memories. The vintage vehicles will also reflect the history of the Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Long Beach famously switched from Formula 1 to IndyCars in 1984, and the inaugural winner was legendary racer Mario Andretti, who would go on to win “America’s #1 Street Race” twice more in IndyCars in 1985 and 1987, according to a press release.
In the 1980s, Al Unser Jr. began his reign as “King of the Beach” with wins in 1988 and 1989, on his way to a record six victories in eight years. He remains the all-time leader in Long Beach wins. Michael Andretti also earned his first career win during in 1986.
“There’s always something new with the Grand Prix,” said Jim Michaelian, the president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. “That’s the definition of having a recurring event year after year, and one of the challenges for us is the opportunity to make sure that our returning customers have an enhanced experience over what they’ve had in the past.”
Zak Brown, McLaren Racing’s CEO, and Big Machine Racing’s Scott Borchetta will be among the drivers participating in the Historic IndyCar Challenge, Michaelian said.
The historic event at Long Beach will be sanctioned by the Historic Motor Sports Association – one of the most-respected historic racing organizations in the United States. It produces world-class spectator events across the country, according to the HMSA website. HMSA emphasizes the preservation and proper use of world-class historic race cars at all of its events.
“When I first wanted to invite the historic IndyCars, I was thinking about the first – and only – time I saw the turbine car at Riverside. It just blew my mind,” HMSA President Cris Vandagriff said in a statement. “This is our opportunity to bring IndyCars that haven’t been seen on the West Coast since then, and I’m looking forward to it.”
To experience the Historic IndyCar Challenge, you must buy tickets to the 2024 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. Tickets are available in various packages starting at $40. Go to gplb.com/tickets for more information.
Staff writer Kristy Hutchings contributed to this report.
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