Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race Explained

Race Title:Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race
Location:Long Beach, California
Sponsor:Toyota
First Race:1977
Last Race:2016
Distance:19.7miles
Laps:10
Most Wins Driver:Dan Gurney (4)
Alfonso Ribeiro (4)
Surface:Asphalt
Length Mi:1.968
Turns:11

The Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race was an annual 10-lap auto race held each April from 1977 until 2016 as part of the United States Grand Prix West, and later the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend at Long Beach, California. Beginning in 1991, the event raised money for "Racing for Kids," a national fund-raising program benefiting children's hospitals in Long Beach and Orange County.

The TPCR pitted celebrities against professional racers from various types of motor racing. They raced in identically prepared cars built by Toyota or Toyota owned Scion. From its inception until 2005, the drivers drove showroom stock Toyota Celicas. Scion tCs were used from 2006 to 2012, and the Scion FR-S began use in 2013. Celebrity contestants ranged from Hollywood's "A-list" elite, budding young stars and starlets, professional sports figures, local Southern California television and radio personalities and selected Toyota dealers. One seat was put up for auction, the high bidder for which also participated in the race. Often, a member of the broadcast team for the feature race would race in the event; Ken Squier, Paul Page, Jack Arute, and Jamie Little (the 2008 winner) have all participated in the race while broadcasting the feature.

All celebrities were given thorough practice, safety, and training sessions before competing, and no serious injuries occurred, despite a large number of crashes throughout the years. Several celebrities who have taken part in the TPCR have gone on to take up auto racing as a part-time hobby or as team owners.

The celebrities received a 30-second head start to begin the race against the professionals and past champions. In 2015, actor Alfonso Ribeiro won while classed as a pro (thus starting with a 30-second handicap) and thereby became the third driver to have won the event in both "celebrity" and "pro" classifications, after Adam Carolla in 2013 and Sean Patrick Flanery in 1997/1998.

On March 11, 2016 it was announced that the 2016 running of the event would be the final event due to Toyota moving its headquarters from nearby Torrance to Texas.[1]

Winners

YearPro winnerCelebrity winner
2016[2] Max PapisAlfonso Ribeiro
2015Alfonso RibeiroDave Pasant[3]
2014[4] Al Unser Jr.Brett Davern
2013Adam CarollaRutledge Wood
2012Fredric AasbøAdam Carolla
2011[5] Ken GushiWilliam Fichtner
2010Jimmy VasserBrian Austin Green
2009Al Unser Jr.Keanu Reeves
2008Mike SkinnerJamie Little
2007Mike SkinnerDave Mirra
2006Todd BodineBucky Lasek
2005Rhys MillenFrankie Muniz
2004Max PapisChris McDonald
2003Jeremy McGrathPeter Reckell
2002Danica PatrickDara Torres
2001Scott PruettTom Rudnai
2000Derek DalyJosh Brolin
1999Roger MearsShaun Palmer
1998Sean Patrick FlaneryAndy Lauer
1997Tommy KendallSean Patrick Flanery
1996Grant Show
1995Rod MillenAlfonso Ribeiro
1994Brian RedmanAlfonso Ribeiro
1993Eddie LawsonRick Kirkham
1992P. J. JonesJoe Amato
1991Parnelli JonesDonny Osmond
1990Bobby RahalStephen Baldwin
1989Parnelli JonesRick Schroder
1988Dan GurneyPaul Moyer
1987Juan Manuel Fangio IIJason Bateman
1986Dan GurneyPerry King
1985Al Unser Jr.Lorenzo Lamas
1984David HobbsRobert Hays
1983Dan GurneyTed Nugent
1982Dan GurneyCaitlyn Jenner
  • -
1981Elio de AngelisRobert Hays
1980Parnelli JonesGene Hackman
1979Al UnserCaitlyn Jenner
  • -
1978Gordon JohncockJames Brolin
1977Sam PoseyShelly Novack
* = overall champion

*- = winner has changed their name since winning race. Their name shown is their current name.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: By ABC7.com staff . Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race in Long Beach to end after 40-year ride . abc7.com . 2016-03-10 . 2017-04-16.
  2. News: Alfonso Ribeiro wins the Pro/Celebrity race at Grand Prix of Long Beach . LA Times . 2016-04-16 . 2017-04-16.
  3. News: Keisser. Bob. Alfonso Ribeiro enjoys The Carlton victory dance after Long Beach Grand Prix Pro/Celebrity race. April 21, 2015. The Orange County Register. April 18, 2015.
  4. News: Guardabascio. Mike. Brett Davern, Al Unser Jr. win Pro/Celebrity Race at Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. April 14, 2014. Press-Telegram. April 12, 2014.
  5. News: Werstine. Dave. Fichtner never looks back for win. Press-Telegram. April 17, 2011.
  6. Web site: NBC 4 - News - Paul Moyer . April 21, 2005 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20050205062012/http://www.nbc4.tv/news/1277631/detail.html . February 5, 2005 .
  7. Web site: Longo Toyota - a Los Angeles Toyota Dealer Used Car New Car Dealer Orange County CA Toyota Dealership California . April 16, 2005 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20050527111042/http://www.longotoyota.com/en_US/MiscPage_12.chtml . May 27, 2005 .