Long Beach GP Postponed; Cancelation Likely

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach has been postponed, in the latest domino to fall amid the coronavirus pandemic that’s severely impacting the motorsports world.

In a statement issued on Thursday afternoon, the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach confirmed that the April 17-19 event will not take place as scheduled due to the City of Long Beach’s new ban on large-scale events through April 30.

The city has prohibited all events with an estimated attendance of 250 people or higher, which includes all social, spiritual, recreational and business activities.

Last year’s three-day attendance at the Grand Prix was reported at 187,000 people.

A replacement date has not yet been announced and is likely ultimately end up being canceled altogether, Sportscar365 understands.

“While we recognize that this is a serious inconvenience for our loyal attendees, sponsors and other clients, nevertheless, this action is consistent with our primary objective of assuring the public’s safety and well-being at our event,” the statement read.

“We are in conversation with the City of Long Beach, various race sanctioning bodies and the Long Beach Convention Center to discuss the viability of rescheduling this event at a later time in the year.

“If that is not possible, then we look forward to presenting the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 16-18, 2021.”

It marks the second consecutive IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race to be postponed on Thursday, following news that the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring has been rescheduled for November as the new season finale.

The next WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race currently on the schedule is Mid-Ohio on May 1-3, resulting in a potential 13-week gap between the season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona and what would then be the second round of the season.

SRO America’s Pirelli GT4 America SprintX is also affected, with the two-driver GT4 format having been scheduled to make its debut on the streets of Long Beach next month.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John