Meet Jim Michaelian, an iconic figure in Southern California’s illustrious Armenian community. At 81 years young, his passion for speed remains as vibrant as ever.
From Hot Rods to Open-Wheel Racing
Growing up in the vibrant streets of Boyle Heights, Jim’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of revving engines. As a youngster, he eagerly hopped into his hot rods, transforming the Southern California roads into his personal racecourse. His enthusiasm, however, came with its fair share of traffic citations!
The Birth of the Grand Prix of Long Beach
In the 1970s, a brilliant idea emerged: Jim joined forces with Chris Pook to bring open-wheel racing to the vibrant city of Long Beach. In 1975, with the city’s blessing, they organized the inaugural Formula 5000 race, etching history as the first-ever street course race in the United States.
如今，米歇尔担任长滩大奖赛的主席兼首席执行官，在赛道上，他仍然享受着驾驭赛车的快感。
他坦言：“我有过几次事故，其中一次我甚至在代托纳赛道翻了车。但幸运的是，我活了下来。我希望能在他们说我丧失驾驶资格之前，多参加几年比赛。”
如今，米歇尔担任长滩大奖赛的主席兼首席执行官，在赛道上，他仍然享受着驾驭赛车的快感。
他坦言：“我有过几次事故，其中一次我甚至在代托纳赛道翻了车。但幸运的是，我活了下来。我希望能在他们说我丧失驾驶资格之前，多参加几年比赛。”
