LONG BEACH, Calif. (February 24, 2025) – Firestone returns as presenting sponsor of the expanded Road Racing Drivers Club annual legends dinner in Long Beach, California, on Thursday, April 10. The 2025 gala will celebrate the 50 years of racing on the streets of Long Beach, California, and will honor Mario Andretti, Al Unser Jr. and Brian Redman – legendary drivers from the Grand Prix's rich history.
The "RRDC Celebration of 50 Years of the Grand Prix of Long Beach Presented by Firestone" is the RRDC's 15th banquet honoring auto racing's most influential leaders and iconic events. This is Firestone's 14th year as presenting sponsor of the RRDC gala, and the brand has been affiliated with the Grand Prix of Long Beach for almost three decades.
The dinner and gala will be held at a new venue – the Westin Long Beach Hotel at 333 E. Ocean Blvd. – one day before the start of the 50th Anniversary Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the third race of the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES.
All proceeds of the dinner will benefit The Mark Donohue Foundation, which supports the RRDC’s SAFEisFAST initiative, and the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach, which supports charities in the Long Beach area. The Foundation’s proceeds from the gala will go to Long Beach City College’s Automotive Technology Program.
Tickets may be purchased on the RRDC web site rrdc.org. All are welcome. This event is expected to sell out, so early reservations are recommended.
"Having Firestone support the RRDC Long Beach dinner for more than a decade is a true privilege," said RRDC President Bobby Rahal. "This year's gala is very special, as it celebrates the 50 years that racing has taken place annually on the streets of this great port city.
"Firestone has an unrivaled heritage in motorsports dating back to the first Indy 500® in 1911. We always welcome Firestone's support, and salute the brand's long-standing success and contributions to the sport."
“Each year, the Road Racing Drivers Club event is a highlight of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend,” said Grand Prix Association of Long Beach President & CEO Jim Michaelian. “And this year is especially meaningful as we join with the RRDC in honoring three true legends of the sport—Mario Andretti, Al Unser Jr., and Brian Redman. Their contributions to Long Beach motorsports history have inspired generations of drivers and fans alike, and we are thrilled to celebrate their incredible legacies during this special evening."
In previous years, the RRDC has honored individual icons of the sport: Dan Gurney, Parnelli Jones, Roger Penske, Jim Hall, Brian Redman, Mario Andretti, Bobby Unser, George Follmer, Emerson Fittipaldi, Johnny Rutherford. David Hobbs, Rick Mears, Jacky Ickx and Sir Jackie Stewart. These RRDC galas are acknowledged as highlights of the auto-racing social calendar, drawing fans and luminaries from all forms of motorsports.
About Firestone Racing: The Firestone brand has participated in world-class motorsports events for more than a century, and racing has played an integral role in building and shaping Firestone into the time-tested, iconic brand it is today. Harvey Firestone, the brand's founder and a pioneer of sports marketing, was one of the first to use racing as the ultimate proving ground for his tires. Ever since Ray Harroun's Firestone-equipped Marmon Wasp won the inaugural Indianapolis 500® in 1911, Firestone has worked to constantly evolve and advance race tire technology. Overall, Firestone tires have carried the winner of the Indy 500 to victory circle 75 times - more than double all other tire manufacturers combined. Firestone has served as INDYCAR's sole tire supplier since 2000, and the brand's on-track success translates to durable, dependable performance and uncompromising quality on the open road.
About the RRDC: The Road Racing Drivers Club was formed in 1952 as a way to give champion drivers a say in their sport, particularly in the areas of safety, and has evolved to serve the future of road racing by mentoring new drivers on both amateur and professional levels. The Club's membership includes leading industry professionals, race officials and motorsports journalists, in addition to prominent racing names.
In 2011, the RRDC launched a free on-line training seminar – www.SAFEisFAST.com – featuring RRDC members and other industry experts in high-quality videos covering subjects from physical and mental preparation to driving techniques, driver safety to car setup and sponsorship. The videos are updated regularly. Each week, a professional from the world of motor racing answers readers' questions on the site in a feature called 'Ask a Pro.' Bobby Rahal is President, John Fergus is Vice President/Treasurer and John Clagett is Secretary. The RRDC presents three annual awards: the Phil Hill Award, the Mark Donohue Award, and the Bob Akin Award. Membership in the RRDC is by invitation only. Additional information on the organization may be found at www.rrdc.org.
About the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach: The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach celebrates its 50th anniversary April 11-13, 2025, and is North America’s longest-running street race. Hosting more than 190,000 people over its three-day weekend, the Acura Grand Prix is second only to the Indianapolis 500 in popularity on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar. Five additional racing series, including the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, compete during the weekend which also includes a variety of off-the-track activities such as concerts, a Lifestyle Expo, an exotic car show and more. For more information, visit gplb.com.
About the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach: The Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach, since its inception in 1991, has donated more than $4.2 million to Southern California charities. In addition, the Foundation donates tickets and hospitality packages to the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach and tickets to the Foundation’s “Grand Prix Charity Days” events to charitable and civic organizations to assist them in their fundraising efforts or, in some cases, to bring the physically or mentally challenged to a “day at the races.” For more information, visit gpflb.com.
Article By: Judy Stropus