USGP West
at Long Beach

    Select a race account — 1976: Winner, Regazzoni 1977: Winner, Andretti 1978: Winner, Reutemann 1979: Winner, Villeneuve 1980: Winner, Piquet 1981: Winner, Jones 1982: Winner, Lauda 1983: Winner, Watson

According to many among the Formula One fraternity, the organizers of the US Grand Prix West at Long Beach, headed by British businessman and Long Beach resident Chris Pook, could not have done a better job in their attempt to create "The Monaco of the West." The circuit was originally designed by American hero and four-time Grand Prix winner, Dan Gurney, but was modified in 1982 and 1983. The event's turning point was Mario Andretti's 1977 victory for Lotus. "That certainly put Formula 1 racing in America on the map when he won here," Pook said.

Long Beach enjoyed great popularity among both the fans and teams throughout its tenure, but by 1983, rumors were abounding that Pook believed Formula One had become too expensive and risky, and, indeed, after that year's race, he announced that he planned to run a CART race at Long Beach in 1984 instead of F1. Despite tremendous success since the race's inception in 1976, and the observable impact of the global exposure it brought to the city, the organizers believed that the less expensive and more popular CART championship, dominated by American drivers, would be a more promising investment.

Move your mouse over the years to see variations
made to the course.