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The start of the 50th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in 2025.<\/p>\n
IndyCar Photo<\/p>\n
Jim Michaelian has been a key figure with the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach since the beginning more than 50 years ago. Since 2001, Michaelian has been the President and CEO in charge of the most successful and longest-running street race in North America \u2013 the Long Beach Grand Prix.<\/p>\n
On June 30, the 82-year-old Michaelian will transition into a new role at Penske Entertainment, the owners of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar. Jim Liaw will take over as the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach CEO and President on July 1.<\/p>\n
Michaelian\u2019s Long History At The Long Beach Grand Prix<\/p>\n
Michaelian has been a part of the Grand Prix Association since its founding in 1975, has served as Controller, Chief Operating Officer and was named President & CEO in Dec. 2001. He has served on the boards of the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach, Visit Long Beach and the Los Angeles Sports Council over the years. <\/p>\n
Michaelian will continue to guide the event and company through the 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend and will work closely with Liaw to ensure a smooth leadership transition. <\/p>\n
On February 9, 2026, Liaw, 50, will assume the temporary title of General Manager for the 2026 event.<\/p>\n
After more than 50 years, Grand Prix Association of Long Beach President and CEO Jim Michaelian will turn over the event to Jim Liaw (Photo by Greg Doherty\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cLeading the Grand Prix Association and the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach has been the privilege of a lifetime,\u201d said Michaelian. \u201cThis event and this community mean a great deal to me, and I\u2019m proud of what our team has built together. Coming off our very successful 50th celebration, I feel this is the right time to make this transition. <\/p>\n
\u201cFor 50 years, I have been given the unique opportunity to merge my passion for motorsports with involvement with the longest-running street race in America, which has been a distinct privilege. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m grateful to the City of Long Beach, our sponsor partners, participants, volunteers, and fans for their continued support, and thanks also to Chris Pook, the originator of the Grand Prix of Long Beach, and Kevin Kalkhoven and Jerry Forsythe for their invaluable support during the challenging times in the past 50 years. And with the leadership of Penske Entertainment, the new owners of the Grand Prix Association, the future of the event is in excellent hands.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michaelian, a competitive sports car racer who, for more than 25 years has competed at such tracks as LeMans, Daytona, N\u00fcrburgring, and Sebring, hopes to be able to participate in a few more events before hanging up his helmet.<\/p>\n
Jim Liaw Prepares To Lead Long Beach Grand Prix Into the Future<\/p>\n
Liaw brings extensive motorsports industry experience and leadership from his position as General Manager of Performance Racing Industry (PRI), an organization that supports and advocates for the interests of racers, enthusiasts, builders, tracks, sanctioning bodies, and businesses. PRI runs the largest annual motorsports trade show in the world.<\/p>\n
Jim Liaw<\/p>\n
Grand Prix Association of Long Beach Photo<\/p>\n
An entrepreneur by nature, Liaw has leveraged his experience and passion for motorsports into a successful career that has introduced and launched some of the hottest youth culture programs in America. Prior to joining PRI in 2021, Liaw served as President of Formula Drift, which he co-founded with Ryan Sage in 2003 and helped turn into the premier drifting series in the world. He and Sage were the first to take the unknown motorsport of drifting out of Japan and introduce it to America, eventually making it the global benchmark for professional drifting. Formula Drift\u2019s invitational \u201cSuper Drift Challenge\u201d has been a fixture at the Grand Prix since 2005. <\/p>\n