Celeste and I decided to take advantage of free seats offered for the Long Beach Toyota Gran Prix races held in the downtown area every spring. I'd never gone when I lived here before, but the roar of the engines was such a magnet, I just had to do it! Celeste and I laughed the whole time. There were booths to visit, cars to watch qualify, and very cool cars to look at. (Maybe Celeste was looking more at the driver's?)

Along with Toyota, the primary sponsor, there are many other big and little sponsors looking to get the public's attention and business. This photo is in Mushroom's honor. As you know, he's been a long time Coke drinker.

Formula One cars are really fast, and control the course very well. Loud too! You can bet that Celeste and I packed our earplugs during these heats! You can hear the engines a few miles away.

The speedy and sporty Scion cars were raced by qualifying real racers, as well as celebrities who show up every year to add some flash to the race crews. Keanu Reeves, as well as others, are quite a draw.