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LONG BEACH -- After nearly a week of blustery winds, rain and chilly temperatures, Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach organizers could be excused Thursday for the big grins plastered on their faces.
It's time for the 32nd annual version of their Southern California beach party and Ol' Man Weather on Thursday decided to put on his checkered flag racing shirt and part the skies for what appears to be the beginning of a beautiful weekend of mostly clear, sunny skies.
The roar of fans cheering daredevil motocross jumps downtown and rock music blaring along a crowded Pine Avenue on Thursday night officially kicked off the Grand Prix weekend of events, and now it's time for the main course.
Three days of auto racing along the Long Beach Bayfront starts at 8 a.m. today with the first of a daylong series of practice sessions for six scheduled races over the weekend as part of the Grand Prix.
Ticket sales are running brisk and ahead of expectations, organizers said Thursday, fueled by a record number of scheduled races, added youth-oriented events like Formula Drifting and a...