Makhi Clifton, 12, loved everything about the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 21 — from the roar of the powerful racing cars on the street to the thunder of the Navy F-18s flying overhead to start the race.
“This is great,” Makhi said. “I love seeing all the cars and hearing all the noise. I’m having lots of fun.”
Makhi, a sixth-grader at Hughes Middle School, was in the grandstands with his mother, Mia Clifton, enjoying the sights and sounds of the race, courtesy of King Taco This was the 30th anniversary of King Taco — which is also celebrating half a century as a company — donating 1,000 reserved-seat tickets to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach, some of which Long Beach distributes to their fellow clubs throughout Southern California.
Makhi, a member of Long Beach’s Eastman Club, said he has thought about being a race car driver but finally decided against it “because I didn’t want to worry about being hurt in a crash.”
Instead, Makhi said, he would like to be a professional football player or basketball player some day. He plays basketball now in the Boys & Girls Clubs basketball league.
Also enjoying Sunday’s race were Elijah Wilson, 10, and his sister, Etlantis, 6, who were there with their mother, Joshulyn. They are members of the Boys & Girls CLubs of Long Beach afterschool program at the Jackie Robinson Academy.
“The kids were really excited about everything,” Joshulyn said. “We had a really nice time.”
It was hard to imagine that the humble beginnings of King Taco founders Maria and Raul Martinez as a mobile taco-making station converted from an ice cream truck in 1974 would lead to them helping so many kids enjoy the Grand Prix of Long Beach today. From its modest start, King Taco has expanded to more than 20 locations throughout Southern California. With its expansion, King Taco also became a major sponsor of the Grand Prix of Long Beach 30 years ago.
“Over the years, King Taco’s presence has become legendary, as evidenced by the long lines we always see at their locations,” said Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix of Long Beach. “They have been and continue to be a great partner, not only for us but also the Long Beach community through their commitment to the Boys & Girls Clubs. We look forward to many more years together.”
Maria Martinez said in a statement that it was an honor to support the Grand Prix of Long Beach.
“We are especially excited to be celebrating our 50th anniversary this year as well,” she said. “King Taco has been a longtime partner of this event, and we look forward to continuing this tradition in the great city of Long Beach.”
Her husband, Raul, died in 2013.
Don Rodriguez, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach, said it was amazing that King Taco would provide 1,000 tickets every year to kids and their families.
“Many of these kids would never get this opportunity to see a race of this magnitude without the help of King Taco,” Rodriguez said. “We can’t thank them enough.”
Makhi Clifton, Elijah Wilson and Etlantis Wilson would agree.
