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New Jersey announces 10-year deal from 2013
ESPNF1 Staff
October 25, 2011
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A 10-year deal for a grand prix in New Jersey has been officially announced, with the first race planned for 2013.
New Jersey governor Chris Christie confirmed in a statement that the race would be run on a street circuit around the Port Imperial area in Weehawken and West New York, with the Manhattan skyline as the backdrop. The race is scheduled for June, and Christie said that it would raise the profile of the area.
"I'm pleased that New Jersey will play host to Formula One beginning 2013, bringing one of the world's most popular and exciting sports right to our backyard," Christie said. "The race will be a 3.2 mile road race, run on existing roads through Port Imperial and at the top of the Palisades in Weehawken and West New York ... People from the whole world will come to New Jersey to see this unique and exciting course."
The mayors of Weehawken and West New York recently revealed they were in negotiations with several investors. The intention is not to use any public funding as it was felt this would be deeply unpopular in a time of recession.
Richard Turner, the Mayor of Weehawken, and Felix Roque, his counterpart in West New York, believe the race could kick-start a stagnant local economy. "In these uncertain economic times when every direct and indirect revenue source is vital, our own Formula One race could be a very positive boost to our citizens," they said in a joint statement.
"This said, we need to ensure that the financial benefits from the privilege of having these races in our towns are equitably shared and that no tax dollars are used. The investor group has already told us that our towns would be substantially compensated annually."
The New Jersey race will run alongside the US Grand Prix in Austin, which is set to make its debut on the calendar next season, although a second race is unlikely to be well received by investors in the Austin project. It is also possible state funding, which is key to the venture, could be jeapordised by a New Jersey GP.
"The New Jersey race has no bearing on the Austin race," said Brooke Botello, a spokesperson for Texas Comptroller Susan Combs. He added that rules regarding use of the fund would apply if a similar event were held in Texas, but not if it were being staged in another state or region.
Local attorney Bill Aleshire, a vocal opponent of the race subsidy, disagreed with that interpretation. This past weekend, Aleshire sent Combs a letter stating that should a second US Formula One race be secured, then F1 would be "disqualified from receiving the $250 million in tax kick-backs from Texas. By our state law, the Texas tax kickback is available if Texas has the only F1 U.S. Grand Prix."
Texas race promoter Tavo Hellmund, however, says that the two races will be very different and will help to raise the profile of Formula One in the United States.
"When I walked the site a few years ago, the site's potential was obvious," Hellmund said, "I am excited for the East Coast and feel Tuesday's announcement is yet another acknowledgement of the viability, fan interest, economic benefits and prestige an F1 Grand Prix event brings to a region.
"New Jersey and Texas, nearly 2,000 miles apart, offer unique and very different fan experiences destined to not only raise the visibility of the sport in this country, but also increase the global attraction and US support of these world-class events. These two regions are going to be terrific backdrops for the world's most advanced form of racing."
F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone has been in talks with various promoters to bring a street race to Greater New York over the years but the plans have never reached fruition.
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ESPNF1 Staff
2013 is when Montreal is due for renewal, so my guess they the one that will be dropped.
Posted byYou guys are crazy... Texas is actually really into motorsport. I moved here just over a year ago and I was actually really surprised as to how many people are into karting/Nascar/F1 here. Everyone I know (motorsport fan or not) has heard about the F1 race coming here and seems to be interested in it.
Posted byBasically i forsee what is face getting rid of the Montreal Race again. Even though it's sellout for every race.
Posted byTexas hasn't an auto racing fan base big enough to sustify a GP. IndyCar and NASCAR aren't the same kind of auto racing as Formula 1. GPs these days aren't allocated in the places with auto racing tradition or a good fan base but where is convenient for the TV right holders. I suspect Austin will be OK on sales because it will be the "Mexican/Austin" GP as Houston was in the IndyCar in the past.
Posted byI remember CART in the Meadowlands, it was a disaster. THis is a 10 year deal. I don't think Bernie gonna like the race in the long run. If we couldn't make it work at IMS, what make them think it can work in NJ.
Posted byNot a bad idea.... Looks like the true economic climate is being shown here. America seems to following in the footsteps of Singapore.
Posted by@ Lucus, two races in the states make sense because, well, we rule. :-) Seriously though, there might not be a race in France, but if you live anywhere in Western Europe, you can easily trip to how many races without boarding a plane? The US's landmass is about that of Europe, and you guys have more races than I can count. (Insert american not knowing math joke here). Maybe we can add a F1 race at Talladega while we're at it....
Posted by@ Wolf. Not sure I would call the Singapore Street Circuit a failure
Posted byHow about racing in real circuits! The last time a street circuit was fun was the US GP West in Long Beach, but given the recent failures (as spectacle) of the new street circuits I believe this will be no different. I just hope the Austin GP is worth something. the NJ GP will be a parade for sure....zzzz
Posted byHere in the States, we get up at 5am and stay up till 3am for every race excepting Canada. While the percentage of F1 fans to non-F1 fans here is relatively low compared to other countries, people need to remember we have a population of 300 million people. When you look at the pure number of people in this country who are F1 fans, it rivals any country in the world. If F1 is truly a worldwide sport, there needs to be multiple races in the Western Hemisphere. New Jersey paired with Canada, and Austin paired with Sao Paulo will make two great and exciting swings to this part of the world where we are as crazy about the best form of motorsport as anywhere!