With race crowds rolling in, some local residents escaped to San Clemente — on the Long Beach Grand Prix’s tab

Thousands of people snatched up tickets to the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach as high-powered racing returned to Downtown this weekend. Some local residents, however, would gladly swap the sights and sounds of a motorsports weekend for a little peace and quiet.

Race organizers are happy to oblige, paying for some downtown Long Beach residents to spend their Saturday away from the crowds clamor and cacophony. Starting way back in the 1970s, Grand Prix officials have paid to whisk away the residents who moved to the beach city before race weekend stormed the city’s streets.

Saturday afternoon, residents day-tripped at an outlet center in San Clemente. And on Sunday they’re going to the Getty Villa in Malibu.

“I’ve done it almost every year and it’s a lot of fun,” said Olive Swan, who has lived in downtown Long Beach for nearly two decades.

The outings are only available to residents who live the closest to the track and they’re allowed to bring one guest. The organizers even hand out $10 in “lunch money.”

Most of the getaways change every year, but the adventure is always within 90 minutes of downtown Long Beach. In past years residents spent the day at The Grove in West Hollywood and to various casinos.

Swan brought along her 8 year-old dog, Baby, since he gets “concerned” with the all commotion back home.

“It’s loud but he’s only concerned when he goes out on the terrace. … They bus us and they take us and they pay for our lunch, so I’m not too upset with the Grand Prix,” Swan laughed.

“I usually try to hibernate during this time as best I can but (my sister) convinced me to come out,” said Nicole Banks, Swan’s sister. ” I heard ‘shopping,’ and I said, ‘let’s go!’”

Some residents instead used it as a first leg in a bigger trip —  since they weren’t big on the mall scene.

Joe Landau traveled down to San Clemente on Saturday to meet his family who lives in San Diego. They picked him up from the outlets after the bus pulled in.

“I’ve lived in Long Beach for 12 years and I’m not a racing fan,” he said. “When the windows are open it’s very loud. … (So this is) a good way to get out of town.”