| spring will mark the 35th anniversary of the | | | | Racing School at California’s Willow Springs |
| Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach open-wheel | | | | Raceway in March before jumping into the |
| race, and for the 33rd time during the Long Beach | | | | driver’s seat at the Long Beach Road |
| Grand Prix weekend, speed-hungry fans can bid | | | | Course. Proceeds from the auction will go to the |
| on entering the field as a driver. The annual | | | | Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach, which |
| Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race takes part as one of | | | | provides funds for several charities in the Long |
| the exciting events put on during the Grand Prix | | | | Beach area of Southern California. |
| weekend’s festivities, and with a starting | | | | The Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race is a |
| bid of $25,000 anyone could get the chance to | | | | crowd-pleaser year after year for the festivities |
| race alongside celebrities such as Dara Torres, | | | | during Grand Prix weekend, but the main race of |
| Frankie Muniz and Dave Mirra, who have all won | | | | the weekend almost always includes names like |
| the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race on the celebrity | | | | Andretti, as the Long Beach Grand Prix is one of |
| side over the past few years (professionals are | | | | the most prestigious open-wheel races of the |
| included in the race but have a 30-second delay | | | | year. The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach |
| time and compete in a separate category). | | | | began in 1975 as a Formula 5000 race, becoming |
| The winner of the Long Beach Grand Prix | | | | a Formula One race the next year. Since 1984, |
| celebrity race auction (which ends Feb. 11) will get | | | | the Long Beach Grand Prix has been a CART |
| the chance to receive a custom-made | | | | Champ Car event, but after the 2008 race |
| driver’s suit, airfare, tickets and hospitality | | | | Champ Car merged with the Indy Racing League |
| for race weekend, a post-race reception and | | | | (IRL), making the Grand Prix an event specific to |
| dinner and will also partake in a professional | | | | the IRL calendar. |
| driver’s training course at the Fast Lane | | | | |