The streets of Long Beach will soon be primed and ready. Gear heads, speed freaks and the all around motor-minded will converge on the downtown area like moths to an ethanol-fueled flame. The 36th annual Long Beach Grand Prix, a three-day event starting Friday, will feature a 1.97 mile circuit rapidly funneling cars in multiple events through the sleepy little hamlet past such landmarks as the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Convention Center. The featured race will be Sunday’s IZOD Indy car series event featuring Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves who you motor heads most likely remember won the coveted Dancing With the Stars mirror ball trophy in 2007. Other competitors will include Danica Patrick and Marco Andretti. Defending his 2009 win in Saturday’s Celebrity Race will be Keanu Reeves, pitted against other Hollywood notables, including Adam Carolla and Oscar-winner Adrien Brody. Sounds a bit surreal, then again, we’ve heard Keanu knows a thing or two about speed.
April 16-18, 7 a.m., 2010
