CHAMPCAR/CART: Long Beach Thursday preview

'Tecate Thunder Thursday on Pine' Kicks Off 30TH Anniversary Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Downtown LONG BEACH, Calif. (March 23, 2004) - Downtown Long Beach will gear up for the 30th Anniversary Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach with the ...

'Tecate Thunder Thursday on Pine' Kicks Off 30TH Anniversary Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Downtown

LONG BEACH, Calif. (March 23, 2004) - Downtown Long Beach will gear up for the 30th Anniversary Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach with the "Tecate Thunder Thursday on Pine," an exciting street party to be held along Pine Avenue between 1st and 3rd streets on Thursday, April 15 from 3 p.m - 10 p.m.

From 3 p.m. - 6 p.m., ESPN Radio 710 AM will broadcast live with the "McDonnell - Douglas Show" from the patio at Mum's Restaurant, 144 Pine Avenue. Meanwhile, the Grand Prix Association will stage an exciting pit stop demonstration with the Newman/Haas Racing team.

The festival atmosphere on Pine Avenue will be fueled with a specially choreographed dance troupe and drum line beating down the street amidst displays of Grand Prix race cars, Trans-Am Series race cars, and classic and custom cars. In addition, there will be live performances by Zander and Cinderglass, bands known for their eclectic mix of rich vocals and funk rock, and D.J. Tony Remix will provide entertainment.

Sponsored by the Downtown Long Beach Associates (DLBA), the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, Tecate, 689 Design, and King's Fish House, Tecate Thunder Thursday on Pine serves as a kick-off to the racing action and excitement of the April 16-18 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach which attracts approximately 200,000 visitors annually to the Downtown area.

"The event planned for Downtown's Pine Avenue will provide an opportune way to attract more visitors to the central business district and have them experience first-hand the wide array of restaurants, retail and entertainment options there are to enjoy along the lively corridor," said Kraig Kojian, DLBA President & CEO.

"This is a great way to kick off our race weekend," said Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association. "We're looking forward to seeing a large crowd on Thursday evening and bringing the cars and stars of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach to Pine Avenue."

Tecate Thunder Thursday on Pine is free to the public. For more information, please call 800-452-7829, ext. 501 or visit www.downtownlongbeach.org.