Professional BMX rider Dave Mirra posted the fastest qualifying time among the celebrity drivers in the 31st Annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race. As the fastest qualifier, Mirra earns the coveted inside track position for tomorrow’s race and $15,000 will be donated by PEOPLE Magazine to Mirra’s charity of choice, the Multiple Sclerosis Society in honor of Haley Harrington, the sister of a good friend of Mirra’s, who has MS. PEOPLE publisher Paul Caine presented the ceremonial check to Mirra.
Mirra’s time of 1:46.904 and best speed of 66.273 mph edged out tennis Hall of Famer Martina Navratilova, who finished with 1:47.689 and best speed of 65.789.
Among the drivers in the Pro Category, professional skateboarder (and winner of the 2006 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race) Bucky Lasek posted the top time of 1:45.927 and demonstrated a best speed of 66.884 mph. He was followed closely by former NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion Mike Skinner, who posted a time of 1:46.742 and a best speed of 66.373 mph.
The field of 17 drivers competed in a 30-minute session on the 1.97-mile street circuit through the downtown streets of Long Beach. The Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, one of six featured events during race weekend, gives fans a chance to see their favorite stars duke it out on the track at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
The starting race grids:
Celebrity Grid:
Row 1: Dave Mirra (#9)-1:46.904 Martina Navratilova (#6)-1:47.689
Row 2: Joshua Morrow (#15)-1:49.216 RJ Romero (#16)-1:49.746
Row 3: Annamarie Dean (#17)-1:51.190 Kelly Hu (#11)-1:51.317
Row 4: Emily Procter (#18)-1:51.337 John Salley (#22)-1:51.554
Row 5: Kendra Wilkinson (#10)-1:51.911 George Lucas (#2)-1:52.174
Row 6: Jerry Westlund (#19)-1:52.246 Aisha Tyler (#14)-1:53.002
Row 7: Kathryn Morris (#5)-1:53.538 Robin Quivers (#8)-1:56.312
Professional Race Grid:
Row 8: Bucky Lasek (#24)-1:45.927 Mike Skinner (#26)-1:46.742
Row 9: Scott Kelley (#21)-1:48.710
In addition to the $15,000 that is donated by PEOPLE, Toyota will donate $5,000 to “Racing for Kids” in the name of each celebrity racer, and another $5,000 to the winner’s charity of choice. Racing for Kids is a non-profit program benefiting Children’s Hospital of Orange County and Miller Children’s Hospital in Long Beach, Calif.
On behalf of the race and its participants, Toyota has donated close to $1.5 million to various children’s organizations since 1991.