Free tickets available for initial day of Grand Prix
The 2023 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is a month away and, again, race fans have the chance to get into opening day for free — if they read their local paper.
The Grand Prix, Long Beach's biggest annual party and one of the marquee events of the NTT IndyCare Series calendar, will return to the city's downtown from April 14-16.
The eponymous Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach will take place, as usual, on the final day. But the entire weekend will be filled with various motorsports attractions, music and myriad other entertainment options.
Up to 180,000 people combined usually attend the Grand
Prix over its three-day run. Tickets for the 2023 iteration are on sale now.
But print readers can nab a free general admission ticket for April 14 by checking inside one of the 11 daily newspapers owned by the Southern California News Group on select days.
The Free Friday promotion, which has a $38 value, will run inside the news section of the daily newspapers every Friday and Sunday until April 14. The next opportunity to get the free ticket is Friday.
The other days are March 24, 26 and 31, and April 2, 7, 9 and 14.
The papers in which the promotion will appear are The Press-Telegram, the Daily Breeze, the Los Angeles Daily News, the Pasadena Star-News, the Whittier Daily News, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, The Orange County Register, the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, the San Bernardino Sun, the Riverside Press-Enterprise and the Redlands Daily Facts.
Jim Michaelian, the president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, said Wednesday that the Free Friday promotion is a great opportunity for both ardent race fans who would like to attend the first day for free and those who have never attended the Grand Prix — but are curious about what it's like.
“We're delighted to have the Southern California News Group back as an Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach sponsor, which is offering the opportunity for print readers to participate in the Free Friday, April 14, promotion,” Michaelian said. “That day has a full schedule that provides the opportunity to see all six series that will compete that weekend.”
The first day of the Grand Prix will consist of practice runs for all six racing series — from IndyCars to those that drift — and qualifying for some events.
But those with general admission tickets also can check out the lifestyle expo, the family fun zone and an exotic car paddock. Visitors also can chow down at food truck row or other vendors set up along the concourse, which envelops the Long Beach Convention Entertainment & Convention Center, Rainbow Lagoon Park, The Pike and Shoreline Drive.
For ticket packages for the entire Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach or other information, go to gplb.com.