Mike Clark Named to Marketing Post at Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach

LONG BEACH, Calif.--Oct. 3, 2005--Grand Prix Association of Long Beach CEO Jim Michaelian announced today that Michael S. Clark has been named Director of Marketing, as it ramps up for the April 7-9, 2006 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Clark joins the GPALB from Original Productions of Burbank, where he was Vice President, Marketing. Original Productions is one of the largest producers of reality programming -- including the hit show "Monster Garage" -- for TV's The Discovery Channel.

He replaces Kevin O'Brien, who has resigned to pursue other career options.

The 52-year-old Clark, a native of Dallas, is no stranger to the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. From 1988-2000, he served in a similar marketing capacity for the famed seaside race before becoming Vice President of Marketing for the Panoz Motorsports Group in Georgia, which stages the American LeMans sports car series.

"Mike's familiarity with the event and the Grand Prix team means he will be 'up to speed' very quickly and making a major contribution as he heads up our marketing effort for the 2006 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach," Michaelian said. "I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Kevin O'Brien for all his efforts, and wish him well in his future endeavors."

Clark is a graduate of the University of Texas, and currently resides in Rancho Palos Verdes with his wife, Jo Beth.

"I am excited to again be associated with the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach," Clark said. "It is the benchmark for street racing in North America and one of Southern California's premier events. I look forward to helping it become even bigger and better."

The GPALB also announced that tickets for the 32nd Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, April 7-9, 2006 officially go on sale today.

Credit card orders are now being accepted by calling the Grand Prix ticket office at (888) 82-SPEED.

Tickets can also be ordered from Ticketmaster at any of the company's retail ticket center locations throughout Southern California, or by logging on to www.ticketmaster.com.