Long Beach Grand Prix

[Racer X]

Well it looks like chance at the big time is upon me. I will be racing in the Long Beach Grand Prix. Not as a driver, but a crew chief for the #15 Dodge Viper.

http://www.world-challenge.com/2006/events/lbc/gt-entrylist.html

This is a long time friend of mine who had a ton of talent and is short on cash, although not as short as I am on cash. It should be pretty cool and I am so geeked up for this!

[87natty]

BASTARD! When is it? I'v ebeen wantign to go with a coupel friends, but we never hear about it. Good for you bud!

[Top Speed]

Sweet!  What an experience.

[Racer X]

The LBGP is April 7-9. I will be there all three days, obviously. We have a Friday prcatice at 5:35, a Saturday practice at 8:30 am, Qualifying at 8:00 am on Sunday, and then the race at 4:00 pm Sunday.

The pit area is wide open, so if you go, come by and say hi!

[87natty]

Oh hell yes!

[DCEPTCN]

Well congrats on a kick ass opportunity! I'm not familiar with the race.....they can't actually race anywhere near Long Beach.....can they? Sorry, totally out of the loop on this one.

[ledzeppac]

Its actually in Long Beach... they block off many roads... pretty bad ass.

I went a couple years ago

I'll let Racer explain more

[DCEPTCN]

I'm trying to imagine how the roads could be suitable for that--blocked off or not. Wow. Just the legal/liabilty aspects of it alone probably take an act of god/congress just to make it happen.....I mean, what's the law in California now? You can only beat off under a blanket with the lights out and save the baby batter for testing/recycling?

[Top Speed]

You can only beat off under a blanket with the lights out and save the baby batter for testing/recycling?

Did you have to go there? Phill might get excited and  :spooge;

[Racer X]

The Long Beach Grand Prix is a "Tempoary Road Course" They block off a few of the streets in Long Beach and run one of the most prestigious races in the country. The race started off as a Formula 1 race and remained so for quite a few years until F1 pulled out of North America.

At that point CART (Indy cars) took over. The Trans Am series came on board as a support race. Then about two years ago Trans Am got in it's own way and committed suicide and could no longer run this race. So the Speed GT World Challenge Series stepped up, which brings us to this race.

The Speed GT cars are Vipers, Vettes, Porsches, Cadillacs (yes, Cadillacs), Audi, etc... It is a kick ass series and very competitive. I had a friend that ran in the series two years ago and won in his second race. Sadly, he was killed four weeks later.  :prayer: Paul Mumford was his name and he was flat out fast!

In this race my friend John Dearing is behind the wheel of his Viper. John is another fast driver with gobs of talent. He and I started road racing Impala SSs about 10-12 years ago in a touring club. ONe thing led to another and here we are, finally!

Did I mention this race is at the Beach? You mix fast cars, The Beach, Booze, and Girls and you get a whole LOT OF WOW!!!  :supz:  

[87natty]

I'm there Greg. I'm calling you this weekend!

[sun dog]

Oh snap!
 
It's good to be the king.  
 
I wouldn't miss that if I was closer, stinking like burnt rubber and exhaust is next to godliness.
 
Congrats Racer X; sorry to hear about your racer friend, only the good die young. :prayer:

[Be4u]

How far is LB from Vegas?

[ledzeppac]

5 hours drive

[Racer X]

Too much to type, but the most amazing experience I have had in racing.


Surreal...