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The torch has been lit and the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is officially here.
Thunder Thursday, the yearly kickoff enactment for the Grand Prix rocked The Pike Outlets successful downtown Long Beach, connected the eve of the three-day motorsports event, which runs from Friday to Sunday, Sept. 24 to 26.
A fewer 100 made their mode downtown for the Thursday evening event, presented by the Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, which featured motorcycle stunts, philharmonic performances and competitions — each meant to disturbance up excitement for the Grand Prix.
The evening kicked disconnected with NTT IndyCar Series pit halt competitions, investigating pit crews Arrow McLaren SP and Meyer Shank Racing connected their velocity and dexterity arsenic they worked to rapidly regenerate tires and refill tanks earlier sending vehicles backmost connected the track.
Felix Rosenqvist pit unit vie successful the pit contention for the assemblage astatine the Thunder Thursday lawsuit successful Long Beach, CA, connected Thursday, September 23, 2021. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
Velvet Strarlings performs for the assemblage astatine the Thunder Thursday lawsuit successful Long Beach, CA, connected Thursday, September 23, 2021. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
Motorcyclist execute stunts for the assemblage astatine the Thunder Thursday lawsuit astatine the Pike Outlets successful Long Beach, CA, connected Thursday, September 23, 2021. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
Hello Castroneves pit unit competes successful the pit contention during the Thunder Thursday lawsuit astatine the Pike Outlets successful Long Beach, CA, connected Thursday, September 23, 2021. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
Felix Rosenqvist pit unit vie successful the pit contention for the assemblage astatine the Thunder Thursday lawsuit successful Long Beach, CA, connected Thursday, September 23, 2021. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
Motorcyclist execute stunts for the assemblage astatine the Thunder Thursday lawsuit astatine the Pike Outlets successful Long Beach, CA, connected Thursday, September 23, 2021. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
Guest of the Thunder Thursday lawsuit cheque retired the cars lines up astatine the Pike Outlets successful Long Beach, CA, connected Thursday, September 23, 2021. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
Stunt Motorcyclist enactment up acceptable to execute for the assemblage astatine the Thunder Thursday lawsuit successful Long Beach, CA, connected Thursday, September 23, 2021. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
Motorcyclist execute stunts for the assemblage astatine the Thunder Thursday lawsuit astatine the Pike Outlets successful Long Beach, CA, connected Thursday, September 23, 2021. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
Workers get things acceptable up connected the way arsenic they hole for the pit amusement astatine the Thunder Thursday lawsuit astatine the Pike Outlets successful Long Beach, CA, connected Thursday, September 23, 2021. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
Motorcyclist execute stunts for the assemblage astatine the Thunder Thursday lawsuit astatine the Pike Outlets successful Long Beach, CA, connected Thursday, September 23, 2021. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
Hello Castroneves pit unit competes successful the pit contention during the Thunder Thursday lawsuit astatine the Pike Outlets successful Long Beach, CA, connected Thursday, September 23, 2021. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
Motorcyclist Dusty Diesel performs stunts for the assemblage astatine the Thunder Thursday lawsuit astatine the Pike Outlets successful Long Beach, CA, connected Thursday, September 23, 2021. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
The stunt motorcyclists followed soon after, performing wheelies and burnouts successful beforehand of the crowd.
“That’s truthful dangerous,” said Lilly Douglas from the stands. “I would ne'er effort that successful my life.”
And past came the motocross demonstration.
Guests stared into the aerial arsenic motorbike riders jumped disconnected ramps and soared — with The Pike Ferris Wheel providing the backdrop.
While successful the air, the riders performed stunts, including momentarily letting spell of their handlebars.
For folks looking to respect the craftsmanship down the machines, antique and vintage cars lined up on The Paseo, providing a historical travel down innovation lane.
“I conscionable emotion looking astatine these beauties,” said Dominic Wise,. “Nothing volition ever bushed the designs connected these older makes. Nothing has ever travel adjacent to that character.”
A fistful of contention cars packed Bay Street, wherever nonrecreational drivers and crews from the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Global Time Attack educated guests.
And folks that are inactive itching for more?
Well, Thunder Thursday was lone the beginning.
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