My wife and I got to go today at this year’s Long Beach Grand Prix. Thanks to John P for hooking us up with a pair of passes! There were so many series going on from the INDY cars, ALMS, SPEED GT, Celebrity races and the Formula team drift.

My main reason of going is to see the ALMS cars especially the BMW M3 GT2 that I’ve drooled over forever.

Seeing both cars in person made my day. Took pics with the drivers and just drooled over the cars some more. Pictures don’t do the car justice so I took as many as I can.

Here’s the #92 M3 car driven by Milner and Muller.

Here’s the #90 M3 car driven by Auberlen/Hand

The ALMS paddock area was open to the fans so it was swamped. It was tough to get a clean shot of the car but managed to take a few as they lined up for their main race.

As far as sounds goes, the P1 and P2 cars sounds the best – high pitch with the gears screaming especially in the straights.

The GT1 Corvette C6Rs has the most distinct sound. Even with my eyes closed, I can tell that it was a corvette passing by us just by how much my chest was getting pounded by the vibration their race engines emit. The BMW M3 V8s are surprisingly relatively quiet. The best sound that came out from the GT2 cars is from the RISI Ferrari F430 GT. They almost sound like the prototype cars – just high pitch whaling. I love it!

Another favorite of mine are the Porsche GT3 RSR. They just look amazing.

Here are the rest of the pics.

CONGRATS to Milner and Muller for driving the #92 M3 in the 3rd place podium finish for the second time in a row! The #90 BMW M3 finished 8th partly due to being hit by Boris Said (former PTG E36 and E46 BMW driver) with his corvette C6. The Flying Lizard Porsches just owns everyone. This is their second straight win with the Ferrari F430 winning the inaugural race. The ACURA dominated this round in the prototypes taking 1st 2nd and 3rd!

Official Results – finishing under the caution flag.