Latest news with #Formula5000
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Road America hosts Spring Vintage Weekend in 70th anniversary opener May 16-18
ELKHART LAKE – Spring Vintage Weekend returns to Elkhart Lake's Road America May 16-18. The Sportscar Vintage Racing Association event is the season-opener at 'America's National Park of Speed' in the track's 70th anniversary. Advertisement Fans will see cars from motorsport's earliest years to more modern era racers, with many entries having raced at events like Le Mans and the Indianapolis 500. SVRA SpeedTour events follow strict safety and performance standards, ensuring competitive, wheel-to-wheel action in every class. Read more: Road America race ranks among top 10 again, according to USA TODAY readers What will racing include? Spectators can expect a full weekend of racing, including the following: SVRA's full class lineup — Formula 5000, Formula Ford, production and sports racing cars from the '50s, '60s and '70s featuring makes like Jaguar, Alfa Romeo, Lotus, Porsche and Corvette. Formula 4 U.S. Championship and Formula Regional Americas Championship — two of North America's top junior open-wheel series. Ligier Junior Formula Championship — a stepping stone for young drivers entering formula racing. Dave Wheeler Memorial Mazda Miata Race — honoring the racing community's longtime supporter. International GT, which features modern Porsche and Ferrari race cars. Outside of the racing action, Saturday will feature the Hagerty Cars & Caffeine Showcase, where vintage car and motorcycle owners display their vehicles. Advertisement Read more: Road America's Vintage Weekend to feature Adam Carolla comedy show, '24 Hour War' screening Where do I get tickets and more information? Tickets are $85 for a three-day weekend pass; $35 for single tickets Friday; $45 for single tickets Saturday or Sunday; and free for kids 16 and younger with a paying adult. Road America also offers free admission to all active, reserve and veteran military personnel with a valid ID. Get tickets and more information at or call 800-365-7223. Road America is at N7390 State 67, Plymouth. Gates will open at 7 a.m. each day and all races are held rain or shine. Advertisement Contact Brandon Reid at breid@ This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Road America in Elkhart Lake opens 2025 with Spring Vintage Weekend
Fox Sports
04-04-2025
- Automotive
- Fox Sports
Golden Memories: Five Magic Moments at Long Beach
INDYCAR The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach celebrates its 50th running during this year's race weekend April 11-13. This year, 27 NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers will attempt to win the prestigious street race on the shores of the Pacific Ocean and in the shadow of the Queen Mary ocean liner. The 1.968-mile, 11-turn street circuit is an iconic event rooted in history. Here are five of the most memorable moments of the annual event that began in 1975 as a Formula 5000 race, transitioned to a Formula One race weekend from 1976-1983 and then a CART/Champ Car/INDYCAR SERIES race from 1984 to present. Herta Charges From 14th To Win 2021 Race The first race at Long Beach since 2019 settled the championship, too. The 2020 race was canceled as part of the COVID-19 safety measures. The 2021 return was moved from the traditional early-season slot in April to the Sept. 26 season finale due to pandemic-related precautions still in place. Colton Herta put on a thrilling show that day, charging from 14th to secure his first and only Long Beach victory so far in his career. Herta's furious charge only took 31 laps to get to the lead. Alex Palou earned his first championship that day in his first season with Chip Ganassi Racing by finishing fourth. Zanardi Rallies from Lap Down To Win 1998 Race Alex Zanardi earned a second consecutive Long Beach victory in miraculous fashion in 1998. Contact early in the race resulted in a bent steering arm and a loss of a lap for Zanardi. A race-record seven caution periods allowed him to get back in contention. Zanardi charged to third in the closing laps. With five laps to go, the top three were blanketed, and Zanardi passed Dario Franchitti for second. Three laps later, he passed Bryan Herta for the lead and led the final two laps to earn the win. Little Al Holds Off Frustrated Andrettis for 1989 Victory Al Unser Jr. dominated most of the 1989 race, leading 72 of the opening 74 laps. However, the father-son duo of Mario and Michael Andretti caught Unser, setting up a dramatic fight of Little Al vs. Mario and Michael for the victory. Mario emerged from the pits as the leader on Lap 78. Unser was the meat in the Andretti sandwich, with Michael third. Approaching the lapped car of Tom Sneva, Unser dove under Mario for the lead, but contact between the two sent the elder Andretti spinning with damage. Unser also had light cosmetic damage and nursed his car to the victory over Michael Andretti. Unser vs. Sullivan for 1992 Victory Al Unser Jr. was going for his fifth Long Beach win in a row, but his Galles/KRACO Racing teammate Danny Sullivan had other thoughts. Unser led 54 laps but tangled with Sullivan with four laps to go, sending his car into the tire barriers. Sullivan escaped without damage and held off Bobby Rahal and Emerson Fittipaldi for his first INDYCAR SERIES victory since 1990. Unser emerged from the tires to finish fourth. Also, Mario Andretti and Eddie Cheever had an opening-lap collision, sparking a feud. Andretti Battles Unser Jr. For Maiden Victory In 1986 The list of Long Beach winners is an exclusive club reserved for the series best. Still, plenty of legendary drivers earned their first career INDYCAR SERIES victory at Long Beach, including Michael Andretti, who was the first to do so in 1986. Andretti outdueled Al Unser Jr. in a dramatic battle. Andretti made a pit stop for the final time on Lap 56 while Unser did so 14 laps later. The overcut allowed Unser to remain in the lead, but Andretti was in pursuit. He passed Unser for the lead on Lap 70 but caught Roberto Moreno, eventually lapping him on Lap 80. That allowed Unser to catch up, ensuing an intense fight for the win. Andretti toped Unser by .380 of a second. Paul Tracy, Juan Pablo Montoya, Mike Conway, Takuma Sato and Kyle Kirkwood each earned their maiden INDYCAR SERIES victories at Long Beach, too. The event also was the site of Andretti's 42nd and final victory in 2002. recommended
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Petersen Museum Celebrates 50 Years of Long Beach Grand Prix with Historic Race Car Exhibit
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the Petersen Automotive Museum has unveiled a free-to-see exhibit featuring five legendary open-wheel race cars that have defined the Southern California street race through its many competitive eras. Running from March 20 to April 8 in the museum's lobby, the temporary display brings together a trio of motorsports milestones—Formula 5000, Formula 1, and IndyCar—with each era represented by a historically significant machine that once tore through the coastal streets of Long Beach. Among the standout entries is the 1974 Dan Gurney All-American Racers Eagle 755, the very first race car to ever compete on the Long Beach circuit. Piloted by Vern Schuppan to pole position in the inaugural 1975 Formula 5000 race, the car is now owned by Southern California collector Tom Malloy. Formula 1's golden years at Long Beach are represented by two machines: the 1976 March 761, once driven by Italy's Vittorio Brambilla and now owned by Richard Griot, and the 1980 McLaren M30 driven by a young Alain Prost, currently in the hands of Sean Allen. The IndyCar era comes alive through the 1981 AAR Eagle 8100, owned and driven in-period by Dennis Firestone, and a 1999 Reynard raced by Bryan Herta, now part of Erich Joiner's collection. What makes the exhibit even more unique is that all five cars are set to return to the track during the Long Beach race weekend's Historic Formula Exhibition. It will mark the first time machines from all three major racing eras will compete together on the storied circuit. 'This is a rare opportunity for fans to see and hear the very cars that made Long Beach a staple of American motorsport,' said Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. Located along Los Angeles' Miracle Mile, the Petersen Automotive Museum continues to be a driving force in automotive preservation and education, offering car enthusiasts an immersive look at the vehicles and stories that shaped history.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
These 5 Cars from Long Beach Grand Prix History Coming to the Petersen
This year marks the 5oth running of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, and the Petersen Automotive Museum is celebrating with five race cars from the event's storied history. The exhibit will be open to the public from March 20 through April 8 in the museum's lobby, giving visitors an up-close look at machines that once roared through the streets of Long Beach. And the best part? You can go into the lobby for free! As you may know, the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach saw three distinct kinds of racing over its half a century. It started in 1975 with a Formula 5000 race, won by Brian Redman in a Carl Haas Lola Chevrolet. Then it was Formula 1 for eight glorious years. You could actually go to Long Beach—Long Beach!—and see the greatest drivers in the fastest cars in the world. Niki Lauda won it, Mario Andretti won it, it was darn near magical (for a kid from San Pedro who snuck in). The CART/Champ Car era started in 1984 and lasted until 1987, an era that saw Andrettis and Unsers trading wins seemingly the whole time. Then IndyCar took over in 2008 and has been running at Long Beach since. 'The exclusive display at the Petersen will feature five historic race cars spanning the three iconic racing eras—Formula 5000, Formula 1, and IndyCar—representing the evolution of open-wheel racing at North America's premier street race,' the Petersen said in a release. 'The cars will later take to the track during the Historic Formula Exhibition on race weekend, providing fans with a thrilling glimpse into motorsports history with the three types of cars racing together for the first time.' The five cars on display at the Petersen will include: The 1974 Formula 5000 Dan Gurney All-American Racers Eagle 755, winner of the 1975 Long Beach pole position with Vern Schuppan at the wheel, which was also the first car ever to turn a wheel on the streets of Long Beach. The car is currently owned by local businessman and sprint car sponsor Tom Malloy. Representing Long Beach's Formula 1 era, 1976-83, will be the 1976 March 761 currently owned by Richard Griot and driven by Italy's Vittorio Brambilla in 1976 at Long Beach, along with the 1980 McLaren M30, most notably driven by Alain Prost during the 1980 F1 season and currently owned by Sean Allen. The Indy Car era will be represented by the 1981 All-American Racers Eagle 8100, owned by Dennis Firestone and driven by Firestone himself in-period. In addition, the 1999 Reynard driven that season by Bryan Herta and currently owned by Erich Joiner, will be on display. 'Racing in Long Beach has been an important part of American motorsports for five decades, and this exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum offers a rare opportunity to celebrate its legacy,' said Grand Prix Association of Long Beach President and CEO Jim Michaelian. 'Fans will not only be able to witness these legendary machines up close but also experience them in action during race weekend.' The Petersen Automotive Museum is located in the mid-city area of Los Angeles at the intersection of Wilshire and Fairfax. If you go past the lobby exhibit of Long Beach Grand Prix cars, which you really should, entry is $21 for adults, $12 for kids 4-11. See The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is April 11-13. You can buy tickets for the race at
