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Grand Prix returns to Long Beach

Every year, the grandest and biggest event in Long Beach is, without a doubt, the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. This Friday through Sunday, for the 33rd consecutive year, Shoreline Drive and Seaside Way in Shoreline Village will become tracks for six high-speed races, including the favorite Toyoto Pro/Celebrity Race and drifting competitions.

Beyond the fast cars and checkered flags, there will also be several events. Free to all race ticketholders, the Lifestyle Expo in the Long Beach Convention Center and Arena will feature exhibits from Fortune 500 companies, garages featuring the racing vehicles, driving schools for aspiring racers, a kid’s zone and a custom-built kart track.

Also, beginning Friday evening, the “Tecate Cool Zone,” a musical entertainment festival, will feature Latin music, with Los Enanitos Verdes headlining. On Saturday, the Tecate “Rock-N-Roar” Concert, presented by KROQ, will feature a live performance by hot rock band Taking Back Sunday for all race ticketholders.

For those of drinking age, Tecate will be sponsoring the Tecate Cantinas that will be serving Tecate products, Mexican cuisine and playing live mariachi music.

This year, however, the Force is unusually strong in Long Beach. Filmmaker George Lucas, of “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” fame, will serve as grand marshal on Sunday. Lucas, a lifelong fan of cars and speed, once had ambitions of being a professional racer while growing up in Modesto, Calif., but his speed dreams were cut short after a near-fatal car accident just after his high school graduation.

Playboy founder Hugh Hefner will be grand marshal of the Toyoto Pro/Celebrity Race on Saturday.

Tickets for the Grand Prix can be purchased in advance by phone at (888) 82-SPEED, online at longbeachgp.com or ticketmaster.com. There will also be ticket booths at all major entry gates.

A three-day reserved seat starts at $82 for adults, $64 for ages 12 and under. General admission for three days is $65. Parking fees vary. Bring earplugs if you have them, because thing’s can get loud!

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