Here’s how you can get free tickets to Day 1 of the Grand Prix of Long Beach

It’s nearly time for one of Southern California’s biggest events: the Grand Prix of Long Beach — which is slated to be an even bigger party this year as the event celebrates its 50th anniversary.

And readers have a chance to get in on Southern California’s “200-mph beach party,” as the event’s been nicknamed — for free. All they have to do is read their local daily newspaper.

This year’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach will take place in downtown from April 11 to 13.

The Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, which organizes the event, has already announced several special additions meant to celebrate the weekend’s 50th anniversary — including a Saturday performance from rock band Foreigner and racing legends Mario Andretti and Al Unser Jr. as grand marshals.

“This year, we are celebrating our 50th anniversary,” association CEO and President Jim Michaelian said in a statement, “and what better way to join in the celebration by taking advantage of the FREE Friday ticket offer through the courtesy of the Southern California News Group.”

Tickets for the 50th Grand Prix of Long Beach are already on sale, with general admission tickets for the first day of the Grand Prix starting at $44.

But our readers can get their hands on a free general admission ticket for the first day of the Grand Prix — Friday, April 11 — by perusing a copy of one of the Southern California News Group’s 11 daily papers on select days.

“We’re grateful that the Southern California News Group and the folks at the Grand Prix are able to team up again this year to offer residents the chance to enjoy a free day of racing and all the other hoopla at the city’s biggest annual event,” Tom Bray, senior editor for SCNG’s Los Angeles County publications, the Southern California News Group. “And with this milestone anniversary, what a stellar year to enjoy this history-making edition of the race and all its accompanying festivities.”

The Free Friday promotion, which has a $44 value, will run inside SCNG’s daily newspapers on select days until April 5. The next opportunity to get the free ticket is Friday, Feb. 28.

With a couple of exceptions, the free tickets will appear in the papers on Fridays and Saturdays — usually in the sports section. The exceptions are Sunday, March 2, and March 12, which is a Wednesday.

You’ll be able to find the Free Friday promotion in any of Southern California News Group’s 11 daily newspapers, including:

Long Beach Press-Telegram.
Daily Breeze.
Los Angeles Daily News.
Pasadena Star-News.
Whittier Daily News.
San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
Orange County Register.
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.
San Bernardino Sun.
Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Redlands Daily Facts.

“All of the racing events will be on track on Friday, as well as the IndyCar driver autograph session late in the afternoon,” Michaelian said. “In addition, there will be a concert Friday evening featuring DJ Duo ‘DVBBS’ in the Terrace Plaza. Truly a terrific value and it’s all free.”

For more about the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, visit gplb.com.