In 1976, Long Beach City College Student Life created the Mini Grand Prix (also known as the Little Long Beach Grand Prix at that time). The race consisted of 7 or 8 teams of racing cars made of 2×4s and plywood. The following year, the event grew into a single elimination team event with five-person teams. The event added the men’s and women’s divisions and created awards such as the Parnelli Jones Trophy (awarded to the team with the fastest lap in both divisions) and Dan Gurney Trophy (awarded to best design, creativity, and style). The race became a one-lap track race. 

Since the beginning, the race has grown into one of the biggest annual events at Long Beach City College. The event has had special guests such as radio personalities KIIS FM’s Rick Dees, Rachel Donahue, Commander Chuck Street, and Hollywood Hamilton; Power 106’s Big Boy; KTLA’s Gale Anderson and NFL football great Greg Townsend to name a few. The event was covered by Channel 7, 5, and 11 News Teams and is broadcasted on local cable TV for a week after the event. 

Traditionally, the race would run during the week at the midday activities hour. The events would kick off on a Thursday with the Show “N” Shine Car Show. On the following Tuesday, there would be a Chili Cook-off, and on the Thursday after, The Mini Grand Prix would take place. In 2004, after 27 years of running the events in this fashion, the Mini Grand Prix, Chili Cook-off, and the Show “N” Shine Car Show were moved to a one-day, action-packed event. This year’s event will be on Wednesday, April 12th, 2023 at the Long Beach City College, Pacific Coast Campus. 

Stay tuned as more information is shared in the coming weeks! 

For inquiries, please contact Derek Oriee at doriee@lbcc.edu.