Hot cars and heat: Heatwave bakes Long Beach as Acura Grand Prix gets underway

Sun beats down on guests, drivers at Long Beach Grand Prix

Temperatures reached the 100's across SoCal and even in Long Beach were hundreds gathered for the Acura Grand Prix. But the heat isn't stopping them!

LONG BEACH, Calif. - It's hot, and we are not just talking race cars! Long Beach hit 100 degrees on Friday, as the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach gets underway.

Practice sessions for the IndyCar and super trucks races and the Historic IMSA GTP Challenge on the 1.97-mile, 11-turn street circuit surrounding the Long Beach Convention Center are on tap Friday.

It’s the first time the event is held during its customary April time, since the pandemic surge of 2019. It just happens that this week has seen a record-breaking heatwave, where even on the sand or next to the water, temperatures are reaching the 80s.

On Thursday, Long Beach broke the record for the hottest temperature ever recorded on April 7: 93 degrees in 1989. And now, in 2022, a whopping 100 degrees.

Not that it stopped the crowds, which showed up in crowds, holding umbrellas and bottles of water.

"It feels over 100," said one pit crew member.

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Keep in mind, they are wearing fireproof suits, but the bags of ice were flowing, and no one was rushing quite the same way as they will once the qualifying begins on Saturday.

The Acura Grand Prix has a full contingent of paramedics and a health area, for any injury, and they are particularly ready for heat exhaustion. They said they worry more about fans not drinking enough water. The convention center itself is open and it's nicely air-conditioned.

It should be cooler this weekend, especially by Saturday night, when the Royal Machines play in front of the Long Beach Performing Arts Center adjacent to the Convention Center. They start at 6 p.m.

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