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‘GP of America’ to New Jersey in 2013 with a 10 year deal

‘GP of America’ to New Jersey in 2013 with a 10 year deal

A new Formula 1 circuit was announced today by state and local officials in a 10 year deal to feature a ‘Monaco like street circuit’ around the Port Imperial area of Weehawken, New Jersey.

 

150 feet of elevation change, 3.2 miles

 

Grand Prix of America at Port Imperial: Master Layout 1:2500


 
The race has been announced for June 2013, with a date most likely within a week of the Canadian Grand Prix, and one with a view like no other race: Manhattan’s skyline.

Billed as a ‘truly green race’, organizers have planned for public transport to be utilized extensively around the circuit, which will accommodate 100,000 spectators around the 3.2 mile clockwise track.  The project is being put together with private funds and economic impact in the area is expected at a rate of about $100M per year, with both West New York and New Jersey officials taking part in today’s announcement.

While excitement has been running high around the new circuit in Austin, (which I visited last month), several of the key players around the new project in New Jersey were pleased with how things are taking shape there, and NASCAR promoter Humpy Wheeler took to the stage to lend his blessing to the project, calling it ‘. . . the best thought out project I have even seen since I’ve been involved in the racing business’.

Formula 1 United States™  Chairman Tavo Hellmund also lent his support to the project in this release today:

“I want to extend my congratulations to Leo and his team, as I know how much work they have put into making this happen. When I walked the site a few years ago, the site’s potential was obvious.  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.”

10/26 update:  The above master layout for the circuit surface online this morning and shows several interesting details about the new circuit, including pit, track and facilities layout around the circuit.  It’s not known at this time if this is a finalized plan, however, the drawing notes show the seating capacity at 125,000 and not 100,000 as was mentioned at yesterday’s conference with 6,000 hillside seats and 119,000 seaside seats.

Share your thoughts on a second Formula 1 race coming to the US, and where else you’d like to see F1 race

 

 

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Peter Habicht is a freelance writer and journalist in Formula 1 and has been involved with the sport’s growth in America since 2005.

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