Jim Michaelian, Who Spent 50 Years Making the Long Beach Grand Prix a Success, has Died
He was a racer himself, which helped give him perspective for the job
Jim Michaelian, Long Beach GP President, Has Died Greg Doherty - Getty Images Grand Prix Association of Long Beach president and ceo Jim Michaelian, one of the founding staff members of the annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, died Saturday, March 21. He was 83 years old. "Jim was a leader of a small, passionate group who believed in the concept of bringing elite open-wheel competition to Long Beach in the 1970s, worked tirelessly to make it happen despite steep odds, and then helped nurture the Grand Prix of Long Beach into becoming America’s premier street race," said Roger Penske.
"His vision and energy surrounding this great event remained boundless for 50 years. " The first Long Beach Grand Prix was held in 1975 and was a Formula 5000 event. Brian Redman won that race.
F1 came the next year, then Indycars. Bob Riha Jr - Getty Images Indeed, over the past 51 years, Michaelian served as the Grand Prix Association’s controller, chief operating officer and, in December 2001, president and ceo, said the GPALB. Under his leadership, the Acura Grand Prix has grown into one of the premier street races in the world, blending top-level competition with major entertainment, civic, and business impact for the City of Long Beach.
James Hunt’s McLaren goes aloft in the streets of Long Beach in 1977. Grand Prix Photo - Getty Images Michaelian also served on various boards over the years, including the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach, Visit Long Beach and the Los Angeles Sports Council, further augmenting his impact on the sports scene in the Los Angeles area. A UCLA graduate with a B.