The Racers Group (TRG) is back on the sun-soaked streets of Long Beach April 13-15 for the Pirelli World Challenge Grand Prix of Long Beach. This 44th edition of the wild “Roar on the Shore” is sure to be one of the hottest tickets of the year for motorsports fans, with its gorgeous seaside vistas, exciting racing and a world-wide streaming and television audience in the second largest media market in the United States. TRG is eager to take on this historic 1.9 mile street circuit and challenge for the Invitational GTS class win in the #66 TRG | LaSalle Solutions | Adobe Road Winery Porsche Cayman GT4 MR with championship sportscar veteran Spencer Pumpelly taking the wheel.
A WIN – WELL WITHIN REACH
Spencer Pumpelly brings a long history of racing success to the challenging 11-turn course that has become a staple on the PWC calendar. “The track is a good combination of fast and technical, especially for a street course,” Pumpelly says. “The biggest challenge at Long Beach is dealing with the bumps. The circuit requires a car that’s nimble and compliant and of course, fast. And that’s what the team is giving me. I can’t wait for the green flag.”
Pumpelly, known as one of the most talented drivers on the sportscar racing circuit, has had strong success with TRG and Porsche. He began his six-year long relationship with TRG in 2006 and brought home an epic GT class (Pumpelly’s second) win at the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona in 2011 with owner (and two-time Rolex 24 winning driver) Kevin Buckler and the team. During his tenure with TRG, Pumpelly was a fixture on the podium: four top-three finishes in the Rolex 24, a second-place at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2011, two six-hour victories and more than a dozen victories and many podiums across a variety of series including Continental Tire Sportscar Challenge, Grand-Am and American Le Mans.
TRG’S SECRET SAUCE: WORLD-CLASS BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN THE PADDOCK
TRG is joined in Long Beach by long-time partner LaSalle Solutions. LaSalle, a provider of IT life-cycle asset management services and cloud based tools has a long history of successful partnership with the team, beginning with the 2015 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. The tech company’s guests and partners know that the relationships and business deals they’ll make over the weekend will pay major dividends well into the future.
EXPERIENCES
TRG has put together a spectacular program for both its competition and corporate side and is known for setting the benchmark for all teams on these types of corporate and relationship marketing events. Each race weekend, TRG immerses guests into the high adrenaline world of sportscar racing with one-of-a-kind platforms designed to deliver maximum thrill and business engagement. The team’s partners and VIP guests will be treated to the luxurious, VIP experience they’ve come to expect with TRG, including exclusive backstage access along with elevated hospitality, food and concierge service, all in a private seaside suite at the track Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s program culminates in a signature Adobe Road Winery winemaker dinner at Sir Winston’s aboard the iconic Queen Mary.
The VIP guest group will board the Queen Mary where they will be greeted by the ship’s Captain for a special behind-the-scenes guided tour recounting the glory days of this most famous luxury ship. Visits to the first class ballroom, the private lounges and the famous “ghost tour” will culminate with a five-star dining event in the first class dining lounge. Sir Winston’s Restaurant and Lounge boasts impeccable service, a gourmet menu and unparalleled ambiance. Named one of the most scenic restaurants in America by Forbes, guests will enjoy stunning seaside views and a “first-class” experience from start to finish. This will be a truly memorable evening aboard the “Grey Ghost” — the last luxury ocean liner of its kind.
KEVIN BUCKLER
“I am a Southern California kid originally and attended the first eight Long Beach Grands Prix starting in 1975. I’ll never forget sticking my nose through the chain link fence — that was all that separated me from the screaming Formula One Ferrari of Niki Lauda heading into turn one. It was just bone chilling and so moving for a young impressionable teenager with cars on his mind,” recalls Buckler. “That’s what this race is — for kids, fans and our guests and partners. It’s that adrenaline rush of watching some of the world’s fastest cars speeding around one of the most beautiful and challenging circuits in the world. Pirelli World Challenge, IndyCar and IMSA — we’re all here and this is the only race where you can truly ‘see it all.’ It’s also so interesting to note that the true resurgence of this cranky old navy port town from the 70s has been because of the race. Hats off to our friend Jim Michaelian and his team — they’ve done such an amazing job here. Done properly, motorsports is just so powerful.
Our team is coming here locked and loaded and ready,” Buckler continues. “We’re really looking forward to this weekend. Having Spencer in the car gives us an exceptional opportunity for the win this weekend and the entire team and our partners from LaSalle Solutions and other guests are looking to a terrific event. Steven Robb (President of of the Solutions Group) and his team at LaSalle have been fantastic partners and it’s fantastic to see someone activate so professionally around this sport. They know we have our eyes set on the prize; on the race track and beyond.“