Veteran Announcer Bruce Flanders Passes Away

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Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, left, and Bruce Flanders, right, in 2016. Photo by Andy Witherspoon, courtesy of The Press Telegram

Bruce Flanders, the veteran announcer known as the voice of the Long Beach Grand Prix and Irwindale Speedway, has passed away at 75 years old.

Flanders served as the announcer for the Long Beach Grand Prix from 1978 through 2019, and also held announcing stints with Costa Mesa Speedway, Laguna Seca Raceway, Industry Speedway, and Orange County Fairgrounds. 

Also a veteran of the Vietnam War, Flanders began his racing career behind the wheel and set a land speed record at Bonneville Salt Flats when he was 28 years old. His 141.703 mph production motorcycle record stood for seven years. 

He was honored with a medallion for the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame in 2016. 

Photo by Andy Witherspoon, courtesy of The Press Telegram

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