Katherine Legge has been selected as the first female honoree for the 2024 Motorsports Walk of Fame, along with two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato.
Ahead of the Grand Prix of Long Beach on 18-21 April, both drivers will be inducted during a free, open-to-the-public ceremony at 11am PT in front of the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center on South Pine Avenue.
Legge and Sato will each unveil a 22-inch bronze medallion featuring renditions of their iconic cars and descriptions of their major motorsport achievements.
Legge currently drives in Gradient Racing’s #66 Acura NSX in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, having first driven the unique DeltaWing prototype racer from the 2014-16 seasons.
Legge said: “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.
“I’m humbled to be alongside such legends of our sport, and I can’t express how much this means to me.”
In 2023, the British driver famously broke the record on becoming the fastest female qualifier for the Indianapolis 500.
Three championships, six race wins and 15 podium finishes highlight her diverse motorsport career in which she was the first woman to lead a Champ Car race in 2006, in Long Beach, the first woman to win a major North American open-wheel race in 2005, and brought the first win for the Acura NSX GT3 in [IMSA] 2017.
“We are honored to welcome Katherine Legge and Takuma Sato to the Long Beach Walk of Fame,” said 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.”
“We are thrilled to recognize Katherine and Takuma for their outstanding contributions to the world of motorsports,” added 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.”
Vice Mayor and Second District Councilwoman Cindy Allen said: “What a privilege it is to present Katherine and Takuma with this prestigious honor.
“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.”
