As racecars and their drivers prepare to take over the streets of Long Beach this weekend, many are finding ways to give back while they’re in town.

Last weekend, local youngsters held their own Solar Grand Prix (photo by Diana Lejins at right) to race solar-powered soapbox cars to encourage environmental friendliness. Meanwhile, one driver visited local schools to speak with children and others from the American Le Mans Series visited kids at Miller Children’s Hospital before their race this weekend.

At El Dorado Park in east Long Beach last weekend, future mechanical engineers got into the racing spirit with a “green” state of mind, racing solar-powered cars that provided the children an opportunity to learn about the possible future of transportation.

The event even attracted Mayor Bob Foster and 5th District Councilmember Gerrie Schipske.

Just a few days later, drivers from the Patron Extreme Speed and PR1 Motorsports teams that will compete in Saturday’s American Le Mans Series race visited kids at the Miller Children’s Hospital and toured the facilities. Drivers like Guy Cosmo (#2 Ferrari) and Johnny Mowlem (#52 Oreca) visited, played videogames and helped the kids color in pictures of racecars.

On the north side of town, Joel Miller visited several middle schools – accompanied by a replica race car – as he prepares to enter this weekend’s IndyLights race, which is somewhat of a minor league to the Indy Racing League. Miller took questions from the kids at Hamilton Middle School and handed out posters and t-shirts when they answered questions correctly.

“I do it as much as I can. I love coming to schools like this and talking to kids,” Miller said, pausing to sign a few autographs. “After doing a lot of corporate and sponsorship appearances, it’s just fun to be out here. How fast can you go? How many crashes have you been in? They want to know about the cool aspects of the sport that make it so much fun.”

A current mechanical engineering student at UC Riverside, Miller spoke to the middle schoolers about the importance of achieving an education and pursuing their dreams. The kids excitedly answered Miller’s questions and jumped at the chance to touch the car.

While Long Beach provides a location for these cars and drivers, some have taken it upon themselves to leave a little something behind in return.

Solar races! Photo by Diana Lejins

Photo by Diana Lejins

Mayor Bob Foster and 5th District Councilmember Gerrie Schipske. Photo by Diana Lejins