Construction will begin on Feb. 23 in preparation for the 48th annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, taking place from April 14 to April 16.

The start of construction was commemorated this morning by Grand Prix Association of Long Beach President and CEO Jim Michaelian, Mayor Rex Richardson and LiUNA Local 1309 Business Manager Mario Suales in what will become Turn 10 of the racecourse in the Long Beach Arena parking lot.

The commemoration event was moved one day early due to weather, according to Chris Esslinger, Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach’s director of communications.

Over the next 50 days, Grand Prix Director of Operations Dwight Tanaka, LiUNA and Grand Prix operations staff will dedicate over 33,000 working hours to installing the safety system along the nearly 2-mile, 11-turn course, which includes more than 14 million pounds of concrete blocks, 4 miles of fencing and 17,000 bolted-together tires—plus grandstands, six pedestrian bridges and eight giant vision boards for full-circuit TV coverage.

Tanaka’s staff will also install 45 high-end hospitality suites, three hospitality clubs, tents, electrical lines and equipment, phones, porta-potties, trash containers and a myriad of other items around the track.

All businesses along the race circuit, which includes Shoreline Drive, Aquarium Way and Pine Avenue, will remain open during construction of the racetrack.

K-rails are unloaded in preparation for construction kickoff for the 48th annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach racetrack in Long Beach Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.

In 2022, over 188,000 fans attended the race, returning to pre-pandemic levels, according to a statement.

The eastern portion of the racetrack will also be used for Round One of the eight-event 2022 Formula Drift season on April 7 and 8, and part of the circuit will be used as a running course for the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach’s 5th Annual G & M Grand Prix 5K Run on April 2.

The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach will be headlined by the third round of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, as well as the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Beyond the six car races throughout the weekend, attendees can also attend concerts, view exotic car displays and enjoy food trucks.

“Every year, our city has the unique opportunity to welcome more than 180,000 people to our downtown, support our local restaurants, engage with our beautiful waterfront and see what makes Long Beach so very special,” said Richardson in a statement. “I look forward to welcoming the Grand Prix back to Long Beach for its 48th year to continue this incredible tradition of community and highlighting the prosperity of our city.”

A Lifestyle Expo with more than 100 products and services in automotive, travel, home improvement, green power, fitness and recreation in the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, and the large Family Fun Zone in the Long Beach Arena will also be open to attendees.

Tickets, ranging from single-day tickets to three-day high-end seating can be purchased here.