Toyota began its relationship with the Grand Prix during the event’s inaugural year in '75GETTY IMAGES
Toyota has "ended its 44-year partnership with the Grand Prix of Long Beach," forcing race officials to "find a new title sponsor" ahead of next April's three-day festival anchored by an IndyCar race, according to a front-page piece by Haire & Munguia of the Long Beach PRESS-TELEGRAM. Grand Prix Association of Long Beach President & CEO Jim Michaelian said that the automaker told race organizers it "would not renew its latest three-year contract shortly after this year's event." Toyota's North American division "began its relationship with the Grand Prix during the event’s inaugural year" in '75, when it began "providing a pace car." Toyota the following year "created a charity match race," and in '80 became the "title sponsor." Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia said, "Once they made the decision to move most of their operations out of Southern California and over to Texas, I think a lot of us wondered if that relationship would continue." Toyota GM/Motorsports Laura Pierce "denied that moving the headquarters from Torrance to El Paso played a role in the company ending the partnership." She noted that Toyota still "sponsors a NASCAR race" in Northern California at Sonoma Raceway. Michaelian said that his group has had "meetings with some potential sponsors, both vehicle manufacturers and non-automakers, but would not disclose the names of those companies" (Long Beach PRESS-TELEGRAM, 8/17).
TREASURED RACE: This year's Grand Prix drew around 185,000 fans over the three-day span, and in California, Robert Morales notes the event is "considered IndyCar’s most popular race behind the Indianapolis 500." It is "certainly one of the most coveted" races for drivers. Michaelian said that it all "makes the race very attractive to sponsors." IndyCar had three events on the '18 schedule "without a title sponsor" -- Portland, Sonoma and the infield race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. As to whether Long Beach could continue without a title sponsor, Michaelian "wouldn’t go there." Michaelian: "We are committed to finding sponsorship needed to make this event happen and we’re going to do that. That’s our responsibility, and we’re going to get it done" (Long Beach PRESS-TELEGRAM, 8/17).
