LONG BEACH - Even though she was laid off from her discount chain store job of nearly seven years, Florence Austin isn't letting that keep her from having a good time at this weekend's races.

The 56-year-old Long Beach resident was in the thick of things Thursday for the start of the 35th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend, first enjoying go-cart racing at Shoreline Village then heading farther north on Pine Avenue to take in the motorcycle stunts. She was also able to procure a free ticket to today's festivities.

"I'm unemployed, but I'm not going to let this economy get me down," she said, using her digital camera to record motorcycle drivers performing flips in the air and donuts on the pavement. "I'm gonna have me some fun."

Spectators like Austin came out in droves for "Free-View" Thursday downtown, a whole night of events ranging from Pit Stop Indy Cars competition and Formula Drift race car displays for Tuner Thursday at The Pike at Rainbow Harbor to motorcycle stunts, Motorcross demonstrations, a live concert and the Tecate Toyota Miss Grand Prix pageant for Tecate Thunder Thursday on Pine Avenue from First to Fourth Street.

"This kinda creates an interesting diversion, something fun to do at night and gets you excited for the Grand Prix," said Long Beach resident David Clement, who's been attending the event since he was a kid.

He and girlfriend Shajia Lin were watching the motorcyclists from the patio of

"I'm not used to seeing all this excitement here on Pine Avenue, that's for sure," Clement said. "I mean, you see a lot of people on the weekends but nothing like this. Even with the recession, look at how many people are out here. It'll definitely pump up local businesses."

Many of the restaurants on Pine, including Smooth's Sports Grille, Alondra Hot Wings and It's a Grind Cafe were packed.

Owner John Troung, whose Lotus Cafe opened Dec. 6, discovered that his restaurant was one of the best places to watch the stunts. A crush of people came in starting at 5:30 p.m. wanting to use his patio.

"We didn't expect this," said Troung, who was busy seating customers, busing tables and closing tabs. "We thought it would be a couple of people hanging out on the balcony. But this is out of this world. We had to stop people from coming because they were just hanging out and stuff. But we've been offering beer and food while they're watching."

Pike slower than Pine

While downtown Long Beach may be overrun with race fans, businesses at the Pike don't always feel the influx in their businesses, though some business owners are seeing a positive change.

Mary DeLeTorre has owned the Candy Bouquet for five years and does not usually see an increase in her customers, but she said this year was better than last year.

"This past week, so far it's been better," DeLeTorre said.

DeLeTorre said she hopes that having the Grand Prix here will bring in more business, but she's noticed in the past that people just go right from the parking lot to the race track.

"Our streets are blocked off," DeLeTorre said. "It really hurts us."

The Candy Bouquet is across the street from GameWorks, tucked in the Pike so it is not directly on the track.

"People would think we get thousands of people through here during the Grand Prix, but we just don't," DeLeTorre said.

Robert Morse, the bar manager of Sgt. Pepper's Dueling Piano Cafe said the Grand Prix can be "a very trying time." This will the the piano cafe's second Grand Prix.

Morse said that they were prepared for the races.

"You're either slammed or it's empty," Morse said. "We look forward to it every year."

The cafe is opening at 11 a.m. all weekend, instead of its usual 7 p.m.

"People come in and sit on the patio," Morse said. There will not be any piano playing in the morning because the "roar of the engines is a bit too much," said Morse.

There will be a race day Bloody Mary available.

Adrian Thomas opened his business, an airbrush tattoo and portrait kiosk, on Thursday but hasn't seen many people interested in race-related pictures.

Thomas did not order any extra supplies this year but said he may consider having some race tattoos next year.

"Our contract lasts a year," said Thomas. "So we'll be here longer than the weekend."

Thomas said he chose to open a kiosk at The Pike to give his business more of a public face.

"Even though it's slow economically, we are doing some business," Thomas said.

While the Pike is blocked off for the race, people may have been enticed to walk through the area because of the drift car display that was set up Thursday night.

Look to the skies

The action isn't just on the race track.

The Long Beach Airport Public Affairs Office today announced that a C-17 will fly over the race course around noon on Saturday before returning to its home base at March Air Reserve Base.

On Sunday, three T-38 jets will fly over the Grand Prix race course around noon. The jets are to land at Long Beach Airport early Saturday afternoon, then leave the airport on Sunday around noon and return to the airport before 2p.m. They will depart from there at 9 a.m. on Monday.

Tecate gives coupons

Economy limiting your Grand Prix enjoyment? Mexican beer brand Tecate, a sponsor of Thunder Thursday and the Miss Grand Prix pageant, is offering a $25-off coupon for a three-day general admission ticket if you buy an 18-pack or larger of Tecate or Tecate Light at select Long Beach stores.

"Given the economic hardships of today, we hope that this will make the excitement of the event a little more accessible to racing fans," said Alejandra Calva of Cerveza Tecate.

Weather for race day

Expect slightly warmer California weather for Grand Prix weekend, when daytime temperatures will be in the low 80s today and Saturday and as high as 86 degrees on Sunday, AccuWeather reports.

Wear sunscreen and stay hydrated.

karen.robes@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1303