By SEMA News Editors
SEMA and PRI will support the reception at the Road Racing Drivers Club (RRDC) Evening with Derek Bell MBE presented by Firestone on April 16, at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. This is the RRDC's 16th banquet honoring auto racing's most influential leaders.
"We are pleased to have... SEMA/PRI returning this year to sponsor the reception at the RRDC Evening with Derek Bell MBE presented by Firestone," said RRDC President Bobby Rahal. "Their support will help benefit the RRDC's longtime initiatives, and we are grateful for their support."
Yaamava' Resort and Casino at San Manuel is also supporting the event.
This year's gala will be held at the Westin Long Beach Hotel at 333 E. Ocean Blvd., in advance of the 51st Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the fifth race of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. It will honor Derek Bell MBE, whose racing career is one of the most successful, diverse and wide-ranging of any British racing driver. Bell is best-known for winning the Le Mans 24 Hours five times, the Daytona 24 Hours three times and the World Sports Car Championship twice.
Proceeds of the dinner will benefit The Mark Donohue Foundation, which supports the RRDC's SAFEisFAST initiative. Tickets may be purchased on the RRDC web site rrdc.org/events. The event is open to the public. This event is expected to sell out, so early reservations are recommended.
The RRDC was formed in 1952 as a way to give champion drivers a say in their sport, particularly in the areas of safety, and has evolved to serve the future of road racing by mentoring new drivers on both amateur and professional levels. The Club's membership includes leading industry professionals, race officials and motorsports journalists, in addition to prominent racing names.
In 2011, the RRDC launched a free online training seminar--SAFEisFAST.com--featuring RRDC members and other industry experts in high-quality videos covering subjects from physical and mental preparation to driving techniques, driver safety to car setup and sponsorship. The videos are updated regularly. Each week, a professional from the world of motor racing answers readers' questions on the site in a feature called 'Ask a Pro.'
