It was a beautiful sunny beach kind of day in Long Beach Thursday, the day before the big three-day grand-daddy of all street races begins. There was activity in and all around the 1.97-mile, 11-turn street circuit. This is the 37th running of the Grand Prix of Long Beach, long known as the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. There’s not many other US races with that kind of continuity.
One man who has been around for all 37 years is JIM MICHAELIAN, the President of the Grand Prix of Long Beach Association. He hosted a large media contingent Thursday inside the track by the Lagoon. Drivers from all of the race series this weekend were present. Outside the Tecate Light Lounge, it was an al fresco, open air bull pen – free for all with the media and drivers mingling.