A DRIVER'S-EYE VIEW OF LONG BEACH RACE

Staff writer Clara Harter joins retired Grand Prix pro driver Davey Hamilton as they speed-run every twist and turn of nearly 2-mile downtown street course

I initially thought little of my editor's request to ride along with a professional driver ahead of next week's Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.

But as I stood on a rattling Shoreline Drive, deafened by the thunderous roar of race cars hurtling past me, I immediately regretted my nonchalance.

Unfortunately, there was little I could do. By 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, I had donned a racing suit and balaclava, pulled on a helmet and gloves, and effectively signed my rights away.

Indeed, before I had even had a chance to tell my family it was nice knowing them, I was strapped into a IndyCar two-seater preparing for blastoff — my life now in the hands of retired racer Davey Hamilton.

I was one of the few reporters invited to experience the thrill of the 1.97-mile street circuit during the Grand Prix of Long Beach's annual media day, which takes place before around 180,000 attendees descend on downtown Long Beach for the three-day racing festival from April 19-21.

It was a big privilege, I tried to reassure myself, before we took off with a stomach churning 160 mph acceleration down Shoreline Drive.

PHOTOS BY HOWARD FRESHMAN Clara Harter sits behind retired IndyCar driver Davey Hamilton on Tuesday for a preview of the Grand Prix of Long Beach course.

Reporter Clara Harter is pumped up following her ride with former IndyCar driver Davey Hamilton on Tuesday. Harter was one of the few reporters invited for a ride Tuesday during the Grand Prix of Long Beach’s media day event.