Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/8603
Thursday afternoon is usually a busy time in the heart of Downtown Long Beach. Cars surge through narrow streets lined with shops, restaurants and lofts while streaks of pale orange paint the tops of high rise buildings overlooking a boat-filled marina. But once a year, the buzz of an everyday work week is replaced with revving engines and the roar of race fans. The streets are blocked off and it is obvious that something big has taken over Pine St. Moving past the crowds, gangs of padded motocross riders can be seen clutching their handlebars as engines sputter underneath them. One at a time they release, zipping up steep ramps before thrusting their tires forward in mid-air to kiss the sky. For nine years, the full throttle excitement of TECATE THUNDER THURSDAY, taking place April 16 from 3-11 p.m., has come to signify two things for avid motor sport junkies. For one, it's a first chance to peek at the action that waits at the world famous Long Beach Toyota Grand Prix on April 19. Sec- ond, it means that for one whole afternoon, every corner of Downtown Long Beach is transformed into a gear head's paradise. And the best part: most of the events are free. Established in spring of 2000, Tecate Thunder Thursday was designed to provide a multifaceted warm up event for the Long Beach Toyota Grand Prix, showcasing everything from high-flying motor- cycle stunts to headlining bands. The main point is to draw fans to the big race events while introduc- ing newcomers to the diverse entertainment opportunities churning out revenue in downtown. Over the years, Tecate Thunder Thursday's mix of family fun and adult diversions have morphed into one of Long Beach's biggest events of the year, hosting between 5,000-10,000 people. Last year, as part of the Grand Prix Association's larger event Free-View Thursday, the Tecate event joined other venues in celebrating the anticipation of the city's big race weekend that stretches from April 16-19. As of last year, Shoreline Village, the Long Beach Aquarium and The Pike at Rainbow Harbor now host a barrage of events that make their own unique tire marks on the unfolding tradition of the Toyota Grand Prix. Offering everything from out door shark tanks to car shows and meet-and-greets with pro- fessional drivers, the involvement of Long Beach's hallmark venues delivers a thick gob of community spirit that goes great with a gargantuan-sized Coke and a chili dog. All this hoopla is not a distraction to keep speed freaks away from the track. Those who want a free peek at the world's best Indy car drivers can check out the competitors during warm up trials of the American Le Mans Series free of charge as they race around the turns and straight-aways from 3-5:45 p.m. With all the Free-View events in place, including Thunder Thursday, the day typi- cally generates 10,000-15,000 people. As far as Tecate Thunder Thursday is concerned, veteran audiences know that the engines on two wheels rule the day. Situated on Pine between Broadway and 3rd St. in the heart of downtown, the stunt bike team Sensory Overload keeps audiences coming back to downtown simply by living up to their name. And the Long Beach Toyota Grand Prix is one of their biggest moments to shine as they kick off a nationwide tour of NASCAR and Indy Racing League (IRL) events across the country. Combining insane ramp tricks, world class DJs, car displays and a Red Bull-inoculated hype man chucking free merch at the masses, the Sensory Overload show is pumped with over the top action from beginning to end. But what would an event like this be without live music? Enter The Blasters, a band who remains drenched in balls-to-the wall Americana fury despite their status as aging rockers. Armed with three decades of rock-a-billy and blues ammo, the L.A.-based headliners can surely supply a dose of big beats hair grease to the fiery event burning in downtown. As Tecate Thunder Thursday prepares to add another chap- ter in the history of Long Beach Toyota Grand Prix, fans anxiously await sounds of motor madness to return to the streets of downtown. THUNDER THURSDAY Writer>>Nate Jackson