So There.: My Visit to the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach 2013 @ToyotaGPLB #TGPLB

For the first time, I had the opportunity to go check out the races at the Grand Prix in Long Beach.

This was the 39th Annual Toyota Grand Prix. The Grand Prix is held in the Streets of Long Beach, and is America's #1 Street Race. Instead of a traditional race track, they block off a course through the town.

Photo Credit: Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach - Instagram

Click Here to view the Fan Guide Brochure with all the details.

It was a beautiful, sunny day out. I packed my camera and had high hopes of capturing some great shots of the cars. I told Mary at Let's Play OC all about the great day I was going to have, and how I could blog all about it.

I had every intention of taking some exciting action photos, and getting to check out my good friend's Mazda RX-7 which was on display at a booth. Plus, I really wanted to have my photo taken with me in that driver's seat! Don't worry, it was off, and parked inside, I didn't plan on racing. Although a ride along someday would be amazing and fun!

But, then...this happened.

Limo...champagne...and a big group of rowdy people who had no interest in actually seeing the car races!

We spent a lovely day in Long Beach, drinking at bars and hanging out on boats...(must have been awful, you're thinking, I know.) It was fine...I saw more champagne than I had seen since New Year's Eve; but I wanted to see the RACES!! Hmph.

I caught a quick glimpse or two of the cars zipping by, and could hear them several more times that day. It really was exciting just to be there, even if I wasn't up close to the track. The cars look like they are going so much slower on tv, than when you actually see them fly by in person!

I snapped one picture. Yay, Long Beach. Boo, nothing to do with the races.

Luckily, my friend, I told you about earlier, Kevin Madsen got me some of his professional photos from the weekend! It was so great to see him (wuah, wuah, we took no photo together, ugh!), and hopefully next time I can actually go check out his car!

Kevin Madsen is a National Champion Road Racer,
Stunt Wheelman, and Test Driver.
I know...I have cool friends!

Photo Credit: MadsenMotorsports

Check out some of his racing highlights here:

Video By: Madsen Motorsports

Kevin had one of his cars, an RX-7 Mazda, on display at the Grand Prix; car #82!

Photo Credit: MadsenMotorsports

I definitely recommend you check out the Grand Prix in Long Beach next year, and I will definitely be back next year, too! ...Armed with a much better game plan!

So There.

Photo Credit: Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach - Instagram

Friday, May 3, 2013

My Visit to the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach 2013 @ToyotaGPLB #TGPLB