Stars Meet The Road In Long Beach

Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody and Phil Keoghan, host of  "The Amazing Race" on CBS, are among the celebrities who will go head-to-head against former NASCAR and Indianapolis 500 racers for a good cause at the Toyota Grand Prix next week.

The 2014 Pro/Celebrity Race is set for April 12 on the 1.97-mile street course in downtown Long Beach as part of Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend, according to organizers.

The field of racers practiced today before taking the track next weekend in 210-horse powered Scion FR-S race-prepped cars in a race to benefit Racing for Kids, a national program supporting children's hospitals.

Brody, whose film credits include "The Pianist," "Midnight in Paris" and "The Grand Budapest Hotel,"  was on hand for the training, but declined to speak to the media.

Some of the celebrity racers said driving a fast car comes natural. For others though, just stepping into a car with a manual transmission was something that had to be learned.

Nick Wechsler, who plays Jack Porter on ABC's "Revenge," said he had never driven a manual transmission, much less in a race car, before agreeing to take part.

"It never mattered to me to go fast and get a car and soup it up," Wechsler said. "I was dragging my feet because I didn't know if this was going to be my thing. Now that I have done it, it is my thing ... I love it."

Olympic track star Carmelita Jeter may carry the title of "fastest woman in the world," but she, too, had never driven a manual transmission before her training began for the Long Beach race.

"It is just like a track meet," Jeter said. "I have to zone in on what has to be done. You are definitely thinking strategy and peoples' weaknesses and strengths."

Other participants include:

-- Eric Braeden, an Emmy Award-winning daytime star known for his role as Victor Newman on "The Young and the Restless";

-- "High School Musical" co-star Corbin Bleu, who was also the first runner-up in the 2013 fall season of "Dancing with the Stars";

-- Brett Davern of MTV's "Awkward";

-- Colin Egglesfield, who's known for his roles in "Rizzoli & Isles," "The Client List" and "Melrose Place";

-- Cole Hauser, whose acting credits include "Transcendence," "Olympus Has Fallen" and "A Good Day to Die Hard";

-- Tricia Helfer, who has appeared in "Battlestar Galactica" as '#6' and "Burn Notice";

-- Vanessa Marcil, known for her roles on "General Hospital" and "Las Vegas";

-- Lisa Stanley, an entertainment reporter for K-EARTH 101 FM;

-- Max Thieriot, who plays the character Dylan Massett on "Bates Motel';' and

-- Sam Witwer, who portrays vampire Aidan Waite on "Being Human."

The entertainers will go up against pro drivers, including former NASCAR racer Kyle Petty; and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr.

Last year's winner was Adam Carolla, but was outmatched in fund raising by Rutledge Wood who raised over $16,000.00.

Since 1991, more than $2 million from the celebrity/pro race has been donated to the Racing for Kids organization.