What Is 1979 Grand Prix of Long Beach

Overview

The 1979 Grand Prix of Long Beach was a significant open-wheel motorsport event held on April 8, 1979, in Long Beach, California. Unlike later editions of the Long Beach Grand Prix, this race was part of the Formula 5000 series, a popular North American racing category at the time.

The event attracted top drivers and teams from the Formula 5000 Championship, showcasing high-speed competition on a temporary street circuit measuring 2.01 miles in length. The race served as a transitional moment in motorsport history, bridging the gap between American open-wheel traditions and the eventual arrival of Formula 1 in Long Beach.

• Alan Jones won the race driving for VDS Racing in a Lola T490, marking one of his final appearances in Formula 5000 before moving full-time to Formula 1.
• The race was scheduled for 75 laps, covering a total distance of approximately 150.75 miles around the downtown Long Beach streets.
• Jones started from pole position, demonstrating superior qualifying performance and leading 57 of the 75 laps during the race.
• The event was held two weeks before the 1979 Formula 1 season opener, drawing international attention and media coverage to the Long Beach circuit.
• Second place went to Brian Redman, a seasoned British-American driver, who finished 18 seconds behind Jones in another Lola chassis.

How It Works

The 1979 Grand Prix of Long Beach followed the technical and competitive standards of the Formula 5000 series, which used powerful 5.0-liter V8 engines derived from production-based American motors.

• Formula 5000: A single-seater racing class using 5.0-liter production-based engines, popular in North America and Australia during the 1970s. The series offered a cost-effective alternative to Formula 1 with comparable speeds.
• Long Beach Circuit: A temporary street track laid out along Shoreline Drive and downtown streets, measuring 2.01 miles with 11 turns. It combined fast straights with tight chicanes, testing driver precision.
• Qualifying Format: Drivers competed in timed sessions to determine grid positions. Alan Jones set the fastest lap to secure pole, showcasing the Lola T490’s handling and engine power.
• Race Duration: The event lasted 75 laps, with race control monitoring pit stops, safety car deployments, and driver conduct. No safety car was used in this edition.
• Driver Field: The race featured 24 entries, including notable names like Brian Redman, Eddie Cheever, and Keke Rosberg, all competing in Lola or March chassis.
• Points System: The race awarded championship points toward the 1979 SCCA/CART Formula 5000 Championship, with 9 points for first place and a descending scale down to fifth.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1979 Long Beach race differed significantly from the Formula 1 events that followed starting in 1984. The table below highlights key distinctions.

While the circuit evolved slightly over time, the 1979 race laid the foundation for Long Beach’s reputation as a premier street racing venue. The shift to Formula 1 in 1984 brought greater global exposure, but the 1979 event was instrumental in proving the city’s ability to host world-class motorsport.

Why It Matters

The 1979 Grand Prix of Long Beach was a pivotal moment in American motorsport history, demonstrating the viability of street circuits in the U.S. and helping launch Long Beach as a racing destination.

• Alan Jones’ victory boosted his profile ahead of his 1980 Formula 1 World Championship win with Williams, marking a key career milestone.
• The race helped popularize street racing in the U.S., influencing future events like the Detroit Grand Prix and Miami’s later F1 plans.
• It served as a testing ground for circuit logistics, including crowd control, track setup, and emergency response for urban racing.
• The success of the event convinced organizers to pursue a Formula 1 license, leading to the first F1 race in Long Beach in 1984.
• It showcased American-built engines in high-level competition, supporting domestic motorsport engineering and manufacturing.
• The media coverage brought international attention to American open-wheel racing, bridging the gap between U.S. and European motorsport cultures.

Ultimately, the 1979 race was more than a competition—it was a catalyst for change in how motorsport was perceived and organized in the United States.