Katherine Legge was chosen as the first female honoree for the 2024 Motorsports Walk of Fame, alongside Indianapolis 500 champion Takuma Sato. The induction ceremony will take place during the Grand Prix of Long Beach from April 18-21. The event will be free and open to the public, starting at 11am PT in front of the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center on South Pine Avenue.
During the ceremony, Legge and Sato will unveil 22-inch bronze medallions depicting their iconic cars and highlighting their significant achievements in motorsports. Legge currently competes in the Gradient Racing Acura NSX #66 in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. She previously drove the distinctive DeltaWing racing prototype from 2014 to 2016.
Expressing her gratitude, Legge stated: “It is a great honor to be included in the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame. My professional racing career began here in 2005, and that victory on these renowned streets is still one of my dearest memories. I feel honored to be in the company of legends of our sport, and I cannot adequately express how much this recognition means to me.”
In 2023, Legge made headlines by breaking the record for the fastest female qualifier in the history of the Indianapolis 500. Throughout her diverse racing career, she has won three championships, six race victories, and 15 podium finishes. It is worth noting that she became the first woman to lead a Champ Car race in 2006 in Long Beach and the first woman to win a major open-wheel race in North America in 2005. Additionally, she played a key role in the first victory of the Acura NSX GT3 in IMSA in 2017.
Mayor Rex Richardson expressed excitement about the induction, stating: “We are honored to welcome Katherine Legge and Takuma Sato to the Long Beach Walk of Fame. Our Motorsports Walk pays tribute to the legends who have had a lasting impact on Long Beach and the racing community. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable careers during the induction ceremony.”
First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas also praised Legge and Sato, saying: “We are thrilled to recognize Katherine and Takuma for their exceptional contributions to the world of motorsports. It is a true privilege to have their achievements celebrated in exquisite medallions embedded in the sidewalks of our beautiful downtown waterfront. These medallions will be admired by racing enthusiasts from around the world in the years to come.”
Deputy Mayor and Second District Councilwoman Cindy Allen echoed the sentiment, commenting: “What an honor it is to grant Katherine and Takuma this prestigious recognition. Their achievements on and off the track have inspired countless people to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact in the world. We wish them continued success in all their future endeavors.”
