If you’re a fan of racing, or just enjoy a great party, then don’t miss your chance to hang out in downtown Long Beach one day next month during the region’s biggest motorsports event — for free.
That’s right, the Southern California News Group is once again offering free general admission tickets to the first day of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.
The Grand Prix will return to the streets of downtown Long Beach from April 8 to 10 for its second running in a little more than six months. The event, which traditionally draws about 180,000 people over the three days, is the biggest party in Long Beach each year, bringing together multiple races — including the main IndyCar Series competition on Sunday — music, a lifestyle expo, food and alcohol, and activities for children.
Over the next couple of weeks, SCNG’s 11 newspapers will print free general admission tickets — with a $37 value — to attend the Grand Prix on Friday, April 8. Those papers are the Long Beach Press-Telegram, Daily Breeze, Los Angeles Daily News, Pasadena Star-News, Whittier Daily News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Orange County Register, Riverside Press-Enterprise, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, San Bernardino Sun and Redlands Daily Facts.
Folks can next snag a free ticket by looking in the Sports section on Sunday, March 13. The tickets will appear every Friday and Sunday until April 3, the week of the Grand Prix.
If you’re an online subscriber, you can access the free ticket via the e-edition.
Friday’s main competition is the Formula D Super Drift Challenge, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. But Day 1 will also feature qualifying for two other competitions, including the International Motor Sports Association race, which takes place the following day. And there are several practices scheduled — the biggest being the IndyCar tuneup.
The free Friday tickets allow folks to sit in any of the grandstands. But you can also enjoy the rest of the concourse, from the lifestyle expo to the exotic car paddock, and from the family fun zone to the row of food trucks.
Here is when and in which section you can find the free tickets:
- Sunday, March 13: Sports section.
- Friday, March 18: Sports.
- Sunday,March 20: News section.
- Friday, March 25: Sports.
- Sunday, March 27: News.
- Friday, April 1: Sports.
- Sunday, April 3: News.
Ticket packages for the rest of the event are on sale now. Information: gplb.com.
