KEANU REEVES'S BLOG

It was a day at the races with Zachary Levi and Keanu Reeves
Written by Rosy on April 17, 2010 – 10:56 am
It was a big day at the races here in Long Beach, California. Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars came out for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach though a few were a bit disappointing.

I want to preface this story by saying that I found out this race was going to be happening at nearly the last minute. So there wasn’t much time for me to get my press credentials in order. But I never really mind going and being a part of the fan crowd.

Sadly, the celebrity events were held behind enormous fences which is fine but then they put banners clearly across almost every tiny gap where fans could get a glimpse.

This was the special People Magazine area and all the celebrity racers had their Scion’s featured there and they posed for photographers inside them which you can see in these photos.

Zachary Levi posted the fastest time of all celebrities to earn the pole position in the 34th-annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race. Levi, the star of the NBC sitcom “Chuck,” narrowly beat actors Adrien Brody and Brian Austin Green in the qualifying race. Levi will lead the pack tomorrow in what has become the world’s longest-running, most successful celebrity racing event. CART Champion Jimmy Vasser finished first among all drivers and won in the Pro category, followed closely by Formula Drift Champion Tanner Foust.

“I did it!” said an exuberant Levi at a news conference after the qualifying session. “This is a great race, with a terrific group of people, that benefits an amazing cause. I can’t describe how pumped I am for tomorrow’s race.”

I had the pleasure of sneaking in to the area and meeting Levi! He was not only a lot taller than I expected but even HOTTER!

On the down side was race car driver and fellow Miami resident Helio Castroneves who just couldn’t be bothered by fans. I tried to have a quick chat while he was just hanging out in the pit area and he just was too cool for that.

Guess who won’t get any future press from me?!

Did I mention how handsome Zachary Levi was? I am mostly disappointed that I missed out on Keanu Reeves. He was the person I was most looking forward to meeting. Unfortunately I won’t be able to attend the races today or tomorrow.

Here is to hoping the TV Land Awards will rock even harder!
http://www.accidentalsexiness.com/2010/04/17/it-was-a-day-at-the-races-with-zachary-levi-and-keanu-reeves/
It was a day at the races with Zachary Levi and Keanu Reeves | Accidental Sexiness http://bit.ly/dnHHAn


http://my.opera.com/celebfan2/albums/show.dml?id=1809981

Grand Prix celebrities, drivers visit young hospital patients
By Kelly Puente, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/15/2010 06:13:09 PM PDT

(photos; http://my.opera.com/celebfan2/albums/show.dml?id=1809981 )

Actor Keanu Reeves kneels down to greet 2-year-old hemophilia patient, Ethan Klamm, of Long Beach, with a plush Scion car during the annual Toyota Celebrity Grand Prix visit sponsored by Racing for Kids at Miller Children's Hospital in Long Beach on Thursday.



LONG BEACH - Miller Children's Hospital patient Ethan Klamm rarely slows down once he's on his daily tricycle ride through the hospital's hematology-oncology ward.

But when actor Keanu Reeves walked up with a stuffed toy Toyota bus, the 2-year-old made a pit stop.

"He never gets off his bike so he must be impressed," said mom, Stephani Klamm.

More than a dozen celebrities and pro race car drivers stopped by Miller Children's on Thursday, visiting bedsides and playrooms with barrels of toys in tow. The celebrities, including actors Adrien Brody, Brian Austin Green, Adam Carolla and Megyn Price, pro skateboarder Tony Hawk, and recording artist Jesse McCartney, will be racing on Saturday in the 34th Annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity race, a popular attraction over Grand Prix weekend.

The annual celebrity visit is part of a program called Racing for Kids. Dr. William Pinsky, a New Orleans-based pediatric cardiologist, founded the program two decades ago as a way to connect sick children with their favorite race car drivers.

"I used to race cars but I wasn't any good at it, so I decided to combine two of the things I loved," said Pinsky, who was with the group for the Long Beach visit.

Racing for Kids, in partnership with Toyota, has visited more than 600 hospitals and 16,000 children over the years, he said. The program also raises donations for the hospitals.
In a colorful Miller playroom room, children's faces brightened as Reeves and pro BMX racer Jamie Bestwick popped in with a few stuffed toys. Bestwick immediately sat down and began helping the children paint small, wooden race cars. Mary Spix, a volunteer with the playroom's art program, was especially pleased to see a smile on 9-year-old Benjamin Payne's face.

"They got a smile out of him," she said. "That's so wonderful, because he wasn't feeling well today."

At the bedside of 12-year-old Arturo Vega, TV actor and voice actor Patrick Warburton went through a rendition of his cartoon voices. The actor lends his deep voice to characters including Joe Swanson on "Family Guy" and Steve Barkin on "Kim Possible."

Warburton, a father of four, says he's visited a number of children's hospitals. This fall, he plans on hosting a charity golf tournament to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

"You're in the right place," the actor told young Vega. "They'll fix you up here."

Julia Hernandez, a 16-year-old San Pedro resident, said she was excited to meet actor Zachary Levi. The 29-year-old heartthrob is best known for his role as Chuck Bartowski on the TV series "Chuck."

"He's much cuter in person," she said, with a smile.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_14893293?nclick_check=1


Grand Prix Drivers Celebrity Visit Miller Children's Hospital | Press-Telegram Foto
http://lang.presstelegram.com/photos/photos.asp?a=981623

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Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race Hospital Visit
15/04/2010.http://bit.ly/bquZPs

During the process of the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, our participants visit a local Children Hospital. This is one of the most valuable days our participants contribute to the event. Since 1991, Toyota has donated more than $1.8 million to various Children's hospitals. We would like to share this special moment with you in this exclusive photo gallery.
Location: Long Beach, CA
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=162220&id=350285487945
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Actor Keanu Reeves attends the Shakespeare Center Los Angeles Presents "Much Ado About Nothing" at The Broad Stage on April 12, 2010 in Santa Monica, California.


http://my.opera.com/celebfan2/albums/show.dml?id=1809981

Keanu Reeves, is seen hanging out in between takes on the set of his latest movie, "Henry's Crime". He was chatting with some of the crew, and was seen drinking a Coke and a bottle of water. He was also spotted smoking a cigarette. April 9, 2010

http://my.opera.com/celebfan2/albums/show.dml?id=1316761

Keanu Reeves goes for another Long Beach Grand Prix celeb win - Press-Telegram: http://bit.ly/b9oO42
slide show; http://lang.presstelegram.com/photos/photos.asp?a=970114#id=970114&num=4

ROSAMOND - Although Keanu Reeves was the celebrity champion of last year's Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, the "Speed" star - who will return to Long Beach on April 17 to compete in the pro category - had no delusions about a repeat win.
"What's it called when you're like a hanger-on?" Reeves said, sitting with actor Adrien Brody in a trailer outside Willow Springs Raceway.
They and a field of 17 drivers that include Adam Carolla, Brian Austin Green, Christian Slater and Tony Hawk, recently spent four days preparing for the 34th annual race with Fast Lane Racing School pro instructor Danny McKeever.
"Entourage," Brody offered.
"I'm part of the entourage," Reeves said, nodding.
"A pro with the asterisks." Brody nettled.
They laughed. The actors have been heckling each other since competing in last year's race together. In 2009, a car crash by actress Raven-Symone allowed Reeves to close a wide gap between him and skateboarder Danny Way, whom many had predicted to win. But in the final stretch, the "Matrix" trilogy star slipped past Way - who crashed into a tire barrier - and went on to win the celebrity title. (Al Unser Jr. won the race's pro title.)
At Willow Springs, Brody started the four-day training session by introducing himself and declaring his vow to beat Reeves. "I'm
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sure it's a different feeling for Keanu, reigning champion of the Celebrity Grand Prix," Brody said.
Reeves talked about getting to know his competition, Formula Drift champion and X Games Rally Gold Medalist Tanner Foust and Steve Millen, 1986 and 1988 Toyota MTEG Off Road champion and 1992 and 1994 IMSA GT Champion.
"They're cool cats, and driving - I just can't keep up with them," Reeves said.
TV, film stars to race
The charity race - which also
Pro and celebrity racers who will be competing in the upcoming 34th annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race next month that will be part of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend, stop for a group photo at the Willow Springs Raceway in Rosamond California where they are training. (Steven Georges/Press-Telegram)features Zachary Levi, Jesse McCartney, Megyn Price, Tika Sumpter and Patrick Warburton - is one of several races taking place during the 36th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, which runs April 16-18.
Since 1991, Toyota has given more than $1.8 million to children's hospitals and this year will give $5,000 in each celebrity racer's name to Racing for Kids, which benefits Long Beach and Orange County children's hospitals. Toyota also will give $5,000 to the winning racer's charity of choice.
In April, celebrities will whip around Long Beach's iconic 1.97-mile street course in Scion tC Sports Coupes, but first they must learn the rules of the road at Willow Springs.
For four days, they reviewed lessons ranging from downshifting and cornering techniques to starting behind a pace car and passing racers.
"We're really trying to do everything we can, so that when they get to Long Beach hopefully we've covered most of this stuff," McKeever said, adding that this year's field has stepped up their game.
Most have had hardly any time on a race track.
"All of my racing experience comes from my XBox 360, so it pales in comparison to actually getting behind the wheel and having somebody instruct you professionally," said Zachary Levi, who stars on the NBC television show "Chuck."
Carolla, a comedian, said he "drives a little differently" from other participants.
"I got a situation with my iPod and the cigarette lighter is not working in my car," said Adam Corolla. "So that, and my biggest mistake probably is I should be listening to the instructors. I'm using Garmin to get around the track."
From the get-go, many of the celebrities quickly realized the difference between driving a car on a main street and handling one on the race track.
"I just thought you come here and you're not afraid to drive fast and you're successful," said pro skateboarder Tony Hawk. "And there are so many things to learn. It's really interesting. I mean, it shows you how much talent it takes to be a professional driver."
Hawk hesitated to say if driving a race car is tougher than skateboarding.
"This is definitely difficult," he said. "I think the big similarity for me in skating and this is confidence. You have to go in it with absolute confidence ... because if you doubt yourself that's when you're either going to get in trouble or you just fail."
Short on racing experience
For Brody, driving a race car hasn't gotten much easier, even after competing last year.
"I haven't been in a sports car or on a track situation since the race so I think it comes with practice," said the Academy Award winner.
"Like, had I practiced this year, I'd be very confident that I could outdrive most of the guys that aren't in the pro category, but I haven't been in it so I'm basically playing catch up again like everybody else."
Reeves said his previous experience has helped in better adjusting to mistakes.
"I had the experience though that I had sensorially, the memory of everything, like braking, turning in, approaching speeds, exit momentum," he said. "All of those things seem to be there quicker."
During training, rivalries also have emerged.
"Zach Levi's been talking smack so I'm out to beat him," Hawk said.
"I just really want to beat Keanu Reeves. That's really kind of my whole goal," said actor/singer Jesse McCartney.
Some just hoped for the best.
"I want to beat everyone. Who knows if I'll beat anyone," said Green, who starred in "Beverly Hills 90210" and "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles." "If I beat one person, then I feel good."
http://www.presstelegram.com/ci_14772071?source=rss