LONG BEACH, Calif. — Katherine Legge and Takuma Sato are the latest drivers that will be inducted into the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame, the City of Long Beach, in partnership with the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach announced Tuesday.
The honorees will be inducted during a public ceremony taking place on April 18, ahead of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, April 19-21.
“We are honored to welcome Katherine Legge and Takuma Sato to the Long Beach Walk of Fame,” said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. “Our Motorsports Walk of Fame serves as a lasting tribute to the legends who have left a memorable mark on Long Beach and the racing community. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable careers during the induction ceremony.”
Legge and Sato will be inducted into the Walk of Fame in front of the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center on South Pine Avenue. During the ceremony, each honoree will unveil a 22-inch bronze medallion featuring renditions of their iconic cars and descriptions of their major achievements, enshrining their contributions to motorsports on the Walk of Fame.
“We are thrilled to recognize Katherine and Takuma for their outstanding contributions to the world of motorsports,” said First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas. “It is a true honor to have their accolades, engraved on exquisite medallions embedded on the sidewalks of our beautiful Downtown shoreline, which will be seen by racing fans from all over world for many years to come.”
“What a privilege it is to present Katherine and Takuma with this prestigious honor,” said Vice Mayor and Second District Councilwoman Cindy Allen. “Their achievements on and off the track have inspired countless individuals to pursue their dreams and the world a better place. We wish them much continued success on all their future endeavors.”
Katherine Legge is the first female to be inducted into the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame. She is widely recognized as one of the world’s fastest female drivers, has one of the most diverse careers in all of motorsports and has achieved several “firsts” throughout her career.
Most recently in 2023, she broke the record to become the fastest woman qualifier for the Indianapolis 500 in the race’s 107-year history. She also brought the Acura NSX its first-ever win worldwide in 2017, was the first woman to lead a Champ Car race in 2006, and, in Long Beach, became the first woman to win a major North American open wheel race in 2005 when she captured the Atlantic Championship race.
Legge currently competes full time in an Acura NSX GT3 in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
“I am beyond honored to be inducted into the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame. My professional racing career started here in 2005, and that win on these iconic streets remains one of the best lifetime memories that I get to carry with me,” said Legge. “I’m humbled to be alongside such legends of our sport, and I can’t express how much this means to me.”
Takuma Sato is a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and the first Japanese driver to win the race. He is a former Formula One racer who, at the 2013 Grand Prix of Long Beach, became the first-ever Japanese driver to win an IndyCar Series race.
Sato will attempt to win his third Indy 500 this May.
“The tradition, history and heritage of Long Beach, and what it means to be a winner here, are such an honor,” said Sato. “The Walk of Fame at the Grand Prix of Long Beach is a privilege, especially because it is always a race and a track that I love to compete on.
“Winning the race here was such a significant moment for me, and I would like to once again extend my heartfelt thanks to the entire A.J. Foyt Racing team and the fantastic No. 14 car crew for their incredible work. Lastly, I feel honored to be inscribed as one of those who could add a page to Japanese motorsport history.”