Long Beach Grand Prix

Well, another year, another time for me to get away to Long Beach, CA, for the Toyota Grand Prix race. This is accurately billed as an event, not just a race. With 3 days of action, and 2 days of varied types of racing, it really is a race fan's dream. This year, unusually, was quite warm, with temps in the 80s and (unfortunately) record-breaking upper 90s - whew !!! Also this year Caryl accompanied me, the first time she has done that since 2003.

The ride over was uneventful, save for the ticket I got from CHP for failing to see a "no right turn" sign in Palm Springs - jerks !!!!!! We stayed at a European-style boutique hotel right in the middle of Long Beach. A very cool idea, but we agreed the room, however chic, was too small to repeat next time. We are used to big, roomy American hotel suites :)


Saturday was the usual fun - the Pro/Celebrity race, which never disappoints for action, especially in Turn 1. This year Keanu Reeves raced, along with pros like Al Unser, Jr., who incidentally won the race. A couple of wreck pictures to show why Turn 1 is the place to be! Then later in afternoon, the ALMS series raced, followed by a free concert by Puddle of Mud.

Sunday was the scorcher, but great racing nonetheless, with Dario Franchitti winning. Then the Speed World Challenge (SCCA) finalized the race weekend. All the drivers from this series were in an autograph session on Saturday, so I waited in line to have all of them sign the series poster. This should be a great addition to my "man cave " !!!

Also, it was fun to catch up my with my friends Stuart & Lisa ( and of course, their daughter Lily) for dinners, racing, and general merriment. Stuart provided me many good insights on why I should just bite the bullet and retire, and I admit, he makes a pretty good argument for it!