What Is 1979 Lubri Lon Long Beach Grand Prix

Overview

The 1979 Lubri-Lon Long Beach Grand Prix was a significant open-wheel motorsport event held on April 8, 1979, in Long Beach, California. Unlike the later Formula 1 races at the same location, this edition was part of the Formula 5000 series, a top-tier open-wheel category in North America during the 1970s.

Organized as a street race through the streets of downtown Long Beach, the event attracted top drivers and teams from the U.S. racing scene. The race marked the final year under the Lubri-Lon sponsorship and served as a transitional moment before the circuit evolved into a Formula 1 venue in 1976 and later joined the CART IndyCar series.

• Event date: The race occurred on April 8, 1979, following a three-year hiatus after the 1975 Formula 5000 race.
• Winner:Brian Redman, a British-American driver, claimed victory driving a Lola T500 chassis powered by a Chevrolet V8 engine.
• Circuit length: The temporary street course measured 2.01 miles (3.24 km) and featured 11 turns, winding through Shoreline Drive and downtown streets.
• Race format: The event consisted of 75 laps, totaling approximately 150 miles, with a competitive field of 24 drivers.
• Historical significance: This race was the last Formula 5000 event at Long Beach before the venue shifted to CART IndyCar racing in 1984.

How It Works

The 1979 Lubri-Lon Long Beach Grand Prix operated under Formula 5000 regulations, a class defined by 5.0-liter production-based V8 engines and open-wheel chassis. The format emphasized high-speed performance on temporary street circuits, blending technical precision with raw power.

• Formula 5000: A racing class using 5.0-liter naturally aspirated engines, primarily Chevrolet small-block V8s, mounted in lightweight open-wheel chassis like Lola and March.
• Chassis design: Cars such as the Lola T500 featured aluminum monocoque construction, rear-wheel drive, and advanced aerodynamics for high-speed stability on street circuits.
• Driver lineup: Featured top drivers including Brian Redman, Al Unser Jr., and Keke Rosberg, many of whom later competed in Formula 1 or IndyCar.
• Race strategy: Pit stops were minimal, but tire wear on concrete surfaces required careful management over the 75-lap distance.
• Timing system: Electronic timing recorded lap times to 0.001 seconds, ensuring accurate results on a tight and technical layout.
• Safety protocols: The race employed SAFER-style barriers and medical response units, though safety standards were less advanced than in modern motorsport.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1979 Lubri-Lon Long Beach Grand Prix differed significantly from later iterations of the Long Beach Grand Prix in terms of series, technology, and global profile. The following table compares key aspects:

While the 1979 race was a regional highlight, later events grew into internationally televised spectacles with larger crowds and manufacturer involvement. The transition from Formula 5000 to CART reflected broader shifts in American open-wheel racing, aligning Long Beach with the dominant IndyCar series.

Why It Matters

The 1979 Lubri-Lon Long Beach Grand Prix played a pivotal role in the evolution of American motorsport, bridging the gap between amateur street racing and professional series. Its legacy influenced the development of street circuits across the U.S. and helped establish Long Beach as a premier racing destination.

• Historical transition: Marked the end of Formula 5000 at Long Beach, paving the way for CART’s arrival in 1984.
• Driver development: Provided a platform for future stars like Keke Rosberg, who later won the Formula 1 World Championship.
• Urban racing model: Inspired other cities to adopt temporary street circuits, including Miami and Toronto.
• Sponsorship impact: Lubri-Lon’s involvement demonstrated the growing role of corporate sponsors in motorsport during the late 1970s.
• Technical legacy: The Lola T500’s performance influenced later chassis designs used in IndyCar and sports prototypes.
• Event branding: Set a precedent for naming rights deals, a now-common practice in motorsport and other sports.

Though overshadowed by later Formula 1 and IndyCar events, the 1979 Lubri-Lon Long Beach Grand Prix remains a key chapter in American racing history, symbolizing innovation, transition, and the growing professionalism of open-wheel motorsport.