Long Beach Unveils Exciting Addition to 2024 IndyCar Schedule with ‘Historic’ Indy Car Challenge

In an announcement that’s set to rev up the excitement for motorsports enthusiasts, Long Beach has revealed a thrilling addition to its 2024 racing lineup – the Historic Indy Car Challenge. This event promises “twin 20-minute races” that will take place on both Saturday and Sunday, promising a double dose of adrenaline-pumping action for fans.

Mark your calendars for the 2024 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, where the Historic Indy Car Challenge will take center stage. On Saturday, April 20, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will kick off the weekend’s festivities, setting the stage for a high-octane showdown. Then, on Sunday, April 21, the NTT IndyCar Series will roar into action, leading the charge for the ultimate racing spectacle.

While IMSA has already unveiled its 2024 schedule, IndyCar is keeping fans on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the full schedule announcement. As tradition dictates, IMSA will own the spotlight on Saturday, with North America’s premier open-wheel championship gracing the track on Sunday.

But what makes the 2024 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach truly historic is the presence of the Historic Motor Sports Association (HMSA), the sanctioning body for this extraordinary event. If you recall, in 2023, Long Beach played host to Formula 1 cars, making it a memorable year for motorsports enthusiasts. The decision to invite historic Indy cars was not taken lightly, and Cris Vandagriff, President of HMSA, shares his enthusiasm for this venture. He reminisces, “When I first wanted to invite the historic Indy cars, I was thinking about the first – and only – time I saw the turbine car at Riverside. It just blew my mind. This is our opportunity to bring Indy cars that haven’t been seen on the West Coast since then, and I’m looking forward to it.”

For those who’ve been following the history of Long Beach racing, the transition from Formula 1 to Indy cars in 1984 marked a significant turning point. The legendary Mario Andretti claimed the inaugural victory in 1984, and he didn’t stop there, securing two more wins in 1985 and 1987. However, it’s Al Unser Jr. who holds the record as the “King of the Beach,” with an astounding six victories over an eight-year span, starting in 1988. The legacy of these racing legends continues to captivate fans, and the upcoming Historic Indy Car Challenge promises to add another chapter to Long Beach’s storied racing history.

Jim Michaelian, President and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, couldn’t contain his excitement, stating, “What a thrill it will be to see and hear these fabulous historic Indy cars competing again on our downtown circuit next April. For many, this will be a first-time experience, and for others, it will certainly bring back delightful memories.”

If you were one of the fortunate fans who attended the event this past April, here’s your chance to relive the excitement. Ticket renewals for the 2024 event will kick off on Monday, 9 October. For those who missed out or are eager to join the action, tickets will be available to the general public starting Monday, 13 November.

But that’s not all; the weekend promises a feast of motorsports with two rounds of SRO America’s GT America, the thrilling Robby Gordon’s Stadium SUPER Trucks, and the electrifying Super Drift Challenge.

So, whether you’re a die-hard motorsports enthusiast or someone looking to experience the thrill of historic Indy cars for the first time, the 2024 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is shaping up to be an unmissable event on the racing calendar. Get ready to witness history in the making as Long Beach revs up for an unforgettable weekend of speed, adrenaline, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Indy Car Challenge

More about Indy Car Challenge

• 2024 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Official Website
• IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Official Website
• NTT IndyCar Series Official Website
• Historic Motor Sports Association (HMSA) Official Website
• Robby Gordon’s Stadium SUPER Trucks Official Website
• SRO America’s GT America Official Website
• Super Drift Challenge Information