HISTORY OF COMMITTEE OF 300

When Long Beach businessman Chris Pook first proposed running a Formula 1 Grand Prix race through the streets of Long Beach, the reaction of many people was questionable. Legalized street racing, after all, was about the last thing anyone would expect. But it was possible.

A group of nine civic minded individuals had the same idea about the volunteer support organization founded to help stage the race and its support activities. And it worked.

Twenty-Five years later, the astonishing success of both the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach and the Committee of 300 stands as a tribute to the dedication and vision of these founders. The race has become one of Southern California’s premier sporting events and has been a key factor not only in bringing true meaning to the International City, but in reviving the image of Long Beach to the rest of the world and more importantly, to itself and its community members.

The Committee of 300 has become perhaps the most successful, and certainly the most unique, volunteer organization of Long Beach boosters.

An administrative organization of the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, the C-300 defines itself as ’...a nonprofit, volunteer organization dedicated to promoting the City of Long Beach and Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.’ It is a clean, brief and technically correct definition, but one that does not give a true picture of the group or its members.

It does not describe the coming together of diverse individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life as they combine their energies towards a common goal.

And it falls far short of the many accomplishments achieved in twenty-five years of existence, and of the countless hours of effort expended each year on their behalf.

The Committee of 300 began as a dream, one started in the spring of 1975 when then Chamber Executive Monty Sharp and Long Beach Grand Prix Association President and Founder Chris Pook met to discuss the prospects of staging the first race. From that meeting originated the concept of forming a group of volunteers through the Chamber to provide the amenities that would help insure the success of the Grand Prix race.

Sharp, who served as Executive Director for the C-300 through the 1978 race, met with several community leaders including then Chamber President Jim Gray and Jim Willingham, who was to serve as the Committee’s first President. In July of 1975, less than three months before the first race, a Formula 5000 event to test the new track, the Chamber’s Executive Council approved the proposal and the Committee of 300 was born.

From its original contingent of 70 members for the September ‘75 Formula 5000 event, the Committee has reached its full membership of 300. A better mark of its success is its recognition throughout the Southland and Grand Prix circuits around the world as a well-run, hardworking, volunteer organization. This positive image reflects directly on the whole of Long Beach.

Jim Willingham, owner of Boulevard Buick, served as President of the C-300 for the initial Formula 5000 race and the first Formula 1 race in March, 1976. James C. SerIes, D.D.S., was president during the 1977 race year, and Roger Jesme of Sight Instruments led the group in 1978.

Long Beach attorney, Mason T. Kight, served as President in 1979, and was succeeded by restauranteur Henry Meyer in 1980. Norm Reed, real estate investor, led the Committee during the 1981 race, and was succeeded by President Roderic Ballance of KBR Investments for the 1982 race. Hank Wadleigh took charge for 1983 race year. 1984 was an exciting year under the leadership of Chuck Davis, Davis and Associates Advertising, with the first Indy Car racing in the Long Beach Grand Prix. 1985 provided another great year of racing with President John Knauf, owner of Handy Nabor Rents. In 1986 Gordon Getz, a real estate broker, presided over the organization. 1987 brought the first lady president, Carolyn McClellan, owner of Naples Travel. 1988 President, Dan Lowe guided the Committee very successfully. In 1989 Phil Tondreault staged the Long Beach Centennial Closing Ceremonies. Bob Hoffman became President in 1990 when the C-300 moved their offices to Ocean Boulevard. In 1991 Mark Gray, a local CPA led the group as President. Alan Dolch, a Real Estate Broker, as president initiated the Gold Club Membership and the office move to East Long Beach. The years 1992-93 brought numerous changes under the leadership of President Leo Chick and 1993 saw the election of our first 2-year term President Amy Zitko. Long Beach Businessman, Dave Tisthammer led the Committee through the 1996 and 1997 races while Land Surveyor Larry Case took the reins for 1998. In 1999, the membership voted to change the Presidency back to a one-year term, and our third female president in C-300 history, Kelly Pierce, leads the organization into the next century.

The C-300 provides the support and amenities that make the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach a truly unique and exciting sporting event. Among the duties undertaken by the red-coats during the Grand Prix are grandstand supervision, press operations, and the VIP Paddock Club. During the year, the C-300 members utilize their talents in community and business relations work and actively promote the race through outreach marketing and a display promotion at many Southern California venues.

Events sponsored by the Committee include the annual Miss Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Pageant and the wildly successful Grand Prix Kick-off Party.

The Committee’s greatest strength lies in the diverse backgrounds of its members, allowing a wide range of talent and abilities the opportunity to work together for common goals. And it’s a team effort all the way for the men and women in red coats who work tirelessly to improve and promote the image of the City and Community of Long Beach.