Makhi Clifton, 12, couldn’t contain his excitement at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 21. The roar of the racing cars and the thunder of the Navy F-18s flying overhead left him in awe.
“This is great,” exclaimed Makhi. “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, enjoyed the race with his mother, Mia Clifton, thanks to King Taco, which has donated 1,000 reserved-seat tickets to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach for the past 30 years.
Long Beach distributes the tickets to fellow clubs throughout Southern California. Makhi, a member of Long Beach’s Eastman Club, considered becoming a race car driver but opted against it due to safety concerns.
Instead, he dreams of becoming a professional football or basketball player, a sport he currently plays in the Boys & Girls Clubs basketball league.
Elijah Wilson, 10, and his sister, Etlantis, 6, also had a blast at the race with their mother, Joshulyn. They are members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach after-school program at the Jackie Robinson Academy.
“The kids were really excited about everything,” said Joshulyn. “We had a really nice time.”
King Taco’s humble beginnings as a mobile taco-making station in 1974 have led to a significant impact on the community, including support for the Grand Prix of Long Beach.
The company has expanded to over 20 locations throughout Southern California and continues to be a major sponsor of the Grand Prix.
Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix of Long Beach, praised King Taco’s commitment to the community.
“Over the years, King Taco’s presence has become legendary, as evidenced by the long lines we always see at their locations,” he said. “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, co-founder of King Taco, expressed pride in supporting the Grand Prix and the Boys & Girls Clubs.
“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.”
Don Rodriguez, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach, recognized the impact of King Taco’s support.
“Many of these kids would never get this opportunity to see a race of this magnitude without the help of King Taco,” he said. “We can’t thank them enough.”
Makhi, Elijah, and Etlantis echoed Rodriguez’s sentiment, expressing their gratitude for the opportunity to experience the Grand Prix thanks to King Taco.
