PRESS RELEASE
City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
www.longbeach.gov
3/30/2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPress Release # CM: 033016
Subject:
Team Penske and Announcer Bruce Flanders to be Inducted into Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame
Contact:
Ed Kamlan
City of Long Beach
562.570.6814
Edward.Kamlan@longbeach.gov
City of Long Beach
562.570.6814
Edward.Kamlan@longbeach.gov
Chris Esslinger
Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach
562.490.4514
cesslinger@gpalb.com
Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach
562.490.4514
cesslinger@gpalb.com
Two legendary names with proud histories at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach – Team Penske and Bruce Flanders – will be inducted into the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame on Thursday, April 14, at 11:00 am.
The public is invited to the free, 11th annual induction ceremony, which will be held on South Pine Avenue in front of the Convention Center, along the route of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
"Team Penske and Bruce Flanders have made legendary contributions to the field of motorsports, and truly earned their place on the Motorsports Walk of Fame," said Mayor Robert Garcia, who will be presenting medallions to the honorees. “These two honorees have thrilled race fans for years here in Long Beach and around the world, and it’s a pleasure to recognize their outstanding accomplishments."
Penske Racing, Inc. is the most successful IndyCar racing team in history, and has five victories at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach: 1993, 1994, 1995, 2001 and 2012. In 2016, Penske Racing, Inc. celebrates its 50th season, and enters the year having amassed 177 race wins, 13 IndyCar championships and 16 Indianapolis 500 victories. Under the leadership of Roger Penske, many of IndyCar’s greatest names have driven for the team, including Mark Donohue, Tom Sneva, Mario Andretti, Bobby Unser, Rick Mears, Danny Sullivan, Al Unser, Emerson Fittipaldi, Al Unser Jr., Paul Tracy, Gil de Ferran, Sam Hornish Jr. and Helio Castroneves.
Bruce Flanders, known as “The Voice of the Grand Prix,” has announced every race here since 1978. He was born into a family steeped in motorcycles and racing, and in 1973 set a record on the Bonneville Salt Flats for the fastest production motorcycle at 141.703 mph. The record stood for seven years. Flanders began his announcing career in 1969 at the Orange County Fairgrounds, and his deep baritone voice has boomed across the loudspeakers at Irwindale Speedway, Laguna Seca Raceway, the Caesars Palace Grand Prix, Watkins Glen, Wembley Stadium in England, Daytona Motor Speedway, California Speedway, and many more.
“We’re delighted to be able to induct Team Penske and Bruce Flanders into the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame,” said Jim Michaelian, President and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. “They have both contributed mightily to the success of our event and join an illustrious list of honorees who have preceded them over the past 10 years.”
The Walk of Fame medallions include renditions of the racers' cars and their major achievements in motorsports. Mr. Flanders’ medallion will include a microphone. For more information, visit www.lbmotorsportswof.com.
The induction ceremony kicks off the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend, which brings more than 180,000 people to Downtown Long Beach. For more information, visit www.gplb.com, call (888) 827-7333, or follow the race on Facebook at GrandPrixLB, Twitter @ToyotaGPLB, Instagram at ToyotaGPLB, and Snapchat at ToyotaGPLB.
The public is invited to the free, 11th annual induction ceremony, which will be held on South Pine Avenue in front of the Convention Center, along the route of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
"Team Penske and Bruce Flanders have made legendary contributions to the field of motorsports, and truly earned their place on the Motorsports Walk of Fame," said Mayor Robert Garcia, who will be presenting medallions to the honorees. “These two honorees have thrilled race fans for years here in Long Beach and around the world, and it’s a pleasure to recognize their outstanding accomplishments."
Penske Racing, Inc. is the most successful IndyCar racing team in history, and has five victories at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach: 1993, 1994, 1995, 2001 and 2012. In 2016, Penske Racing, Inc. celebrates its 50th season, and enters the year having amassed 177 race wins, 13 IndyCar championships and 16 Indianapolis 500 victories. Under the leadership of Roger Penske, many of IndyCar’s greatest names have driven for the team, including Mark Donohue, Tom Sneva, Mario Andretti, Bobby Unser, Rick Mears, Danny Sullivan, Al Unser, Emerson Fittipaldi, Al Unser Jr., Paul Tracy, Gil de Ferran, Sam Hornish Jr. and Helio Castroneves.
Bruce Flanders, known as “The Voice of the Grand Prix,” has announced every race here since 1978. He was born into a family steeped in motorcycles and racing, and in 1973 set a record on the Bonneville Salt Flats for the fastest production motorcycle at 141.703 mph. The record stood for seven years. Flanders began his announcing career in 1969 at the Orange County Fairgrounds, and his deep baritone voice has boomed across the loudspeakers at Irwindale Speedway, Laguna Seca Raceway, the Caesars Palace Grand Prix, Watkins Glen, Wembley Stadium in England, Daytona Motor Speedway, California Speedway, and many more.
“We’re delighted to be able to induct Team Penske and Bruce Flanders into the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame,” said Jim Michaelian, President and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. “They have both contributed mightily to the success of our event and join an illustrious list of honorees who have preceded them over the past 10 years.”
The Walk of Fame medallions include renditions of the racers' cars and their major achievements in motorsports. Mr. Flanders’ medallion will include a microphone. For more information, visit www.lbmotorsportswof.com.
The induction ceremony kicks off the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend, which brings more than 180,000 people to Downtown Long Beach. For more information, visit www.gplb.com, call (888) 827-7333, or follow the race on Facebook at GrandPrixLB, Twitter @ToyotaGPLB, Instagram at ToyotaGPLB, and Snapchat at ToyotaGPLB.