A bit ago I was in California for a week, and spent a couple of days running around Long Beach checking out some of the coolest racing cars at one of the coolest temporary circuits in the world. This was a special event for me, and one that I can finally knock off my bucket list. I can’t really explain what I was feeling while there, but hopefully, some of these photos can help. Enjoy. 

Saturday – 

This was the first time I’d come face to face with the new mid-engine 911 RSR. I’ve been enamored with this car since it was launched at the LA Auto Show, and even though it didn’t win the GT class, it was damn close for the first half of the race, and even with broken aero, managed to haul itself up onto the podium. 

A couple legendary drivers just chilling under the shade of the walkover bridge before the race. 

America, FUCK YEAH!

I’ve been following Joerg Bergmeister’s career for a long damn time. I’ve met him a handful of times, and he’s always as kind and genuine as he looks in this photograph. 

There was a bit of a kerfuffle on the first lap that led to this Corvette’s nose being dented a bit. 

The new NSX looks pretty great on the track. 

The IMSA race was a lot of fun to be out and about checking out. I ducked in to the press room for the final 10 laps or so, and it was so worth it to be able to see that last-lap madness. If you have not seen the race yet, go check it out on YouTube. 









Sunday – 

There was some great Indycar action, which, being completely honest, I didn’t stick around for the finish. That move prompted my DFL Show co-hosts to tell me to ‘delete my account‘. 

The two-seater Indycar was pretty neat. Not sure if I’d want to ride in it or not…

Really, I was only at Long Beach for the sports car action. If the race doesn’t have a Porsche in it, I’m probably not interested. 

Which brings us to the PWC race on Sunday morning. What a weird race. 

On lap 1 (I’m sensing a trend here…) Johnny O’Connell had a bit of a smash-up in his Cadillac. There’s a headlight hanging out there by the wires, there’s an inner wheel guard hung up on his rear wing, and the front grille is completely missing. 

Oh… There’s his grille. 




This Aston was the slowest thing in the field, but I’ll be damned if it didn’t sound phenomenal. 

Here is Alvaro Parente in the winning K-Pax/Flying Lizard McLaren 650S GT3. Dude really knows how to wheel.
 








[Photos Copyright Bradley C. Brownell/Hooniverse.com 2017]