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Gov. Chris Christie today announced the signing of an agreement to host an annual Formula 1 Grand Prix of America at Port Imperial in Weehawken and West New York starting two summers from now.
"I am pleased that New Jersey will play host to Formula 1 beginning in 2013, bringing one of the world's most popular and exciting sports right to our backyard. These races will showcase Weehawken and West New York, as well as our state and region to an international audience, while strengthening both the local and regional economies," said Christie.
"The three-day event will bring very positive economic activity to the region, while giving fans of the sport in our region and around the world an exciting, new venue to experience Formula 1 racing. This is another example of how New Jersey remains a leader in hosting marquee national and international sporting and entertainment events like the Super Bowl, NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, and the Ironman Triathlon in various parts of our state," he added.
The governor was joined by Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner, West New York Mayor Felix Roque, YES Network founding chairman and former CEO Leo Hindery, County Executive Thomas DeGise, and former President and GM of Lowe's Motor
Speedway Humpy Wheeler.
nj-formula1-track.jpgView full sizeA map of the track.
F1-race-map.jpgGoogle MapsThe map version of the course, which starts at the ferry terminal at the Avenue at Port Imperial, heads south and veers left at Ferry Boulevard; then veers right at Pershing Road; travels north on Pershing Road and merges onto Boulevard East between 47th and 48th streets; then turns right at 60th Street onto Anthony DeFino Way; then makes a sharp right at River Road onto Port Imperial Boulevard again and heads south; then turns left on a service road; then right onto the Avenue at Port Imperial near the terminal/finish line.
The races, which will receive no subsidies from either local or state government, will bring investment to New Jersey and the surrounding region each year, state officials said. They are scheduled to start in June 2013.
And while Formula 1 is currently awaiting a formal economic impact study, the races anticipate hundreds of millions in economic development over the life of the ten year agreement.
"The announcement of a New Jersey-based Formula 1 race is great news for motor sports fans in North America," said Steve Sexton, president of Circuit of the Americas. "It will be a unique street course race and is yet another acknowledgement of the viability, demand, economic benefit and prestige a Grand Prix brings to a region."
RELATED: Residents mixed on Formula 1 plan.
During the announcement, the group also released renderings of the course itself that will be run on existing streets in the municipalities, with the New York City skyline and Hudson River as the backdrop.
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. Upwards of 100,000 people are expected to attend each race, starting with practice on Friday, qualifying on Saturday, and racing on Sunday and able to take NJ Transit and PATH to the races.
"I am pleased that New Jersey will play host to Formula 1 beginning in 2013, bringing one of the world's most popular and exciting sports right to our backyard. These races will showcase Weehawken and West New York, as well as our state and region to an international audience, while strengthening both the local and regional economies," said Christie.
"The three-day event will bring very positive economic activity to the region, while giving fans of the sport in our region and around the world an exciting, new venue to experience Formula 1 racing. This is another example of how New Jersey remains a leader in hosting marquee national and international sporting and entertainment events like the Super Bowl, NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, and the Ironman Triathlon in various parts of our state," he added.
The governor was joined by Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner, West New York Mayor Felix Roque, YES Network founding chairman and former CEO Leo Hindery, County Executive Thomas DeGise, and former President and GM of Lowe's Motor
Speedway Humpy Wheeler.
nj-formula1-track.jpgView full sizeA map of the track.
F1-race-map.jpgGoogle MapsThe map version of the course, which starts at the ferry terminal at the Avenue at Port Imperial, heads south and veers left at Ferry Boulevard; then veers right at Pershing Road; travels north on Pershing Road and merges onto Boulevard East between 47th and 48th streets; then turns right at 60th Street onto Anthony DeFino Way; then makes a sharp right at River Road onto Port Imperial Boulevard again and heads south; then turns left on a service road; then right onto the Avenue at Port Imperial near the terminal/finish line.
The races, which will receive no subsidies from either local or state government, will bring investment to New Jersey and the surrounding region each year, state officials said. They are scheduled to start in June 2013.
And while Formula 1 is currently awaiting a formal economic impact study, the races anticipate hundreds of millions in economic development over the life of the ten year agreement.
"The announcement of a New Jersey-based Formula 1 race is great news for motor sports fans in North America," said Steve Sexton, president of Circuit of the Americas. "It will be a unique street course race and is yet another acknowledgement of the viability, demand, economic benefit and prestige a Grand Prix brings to a region."
RELATED: Residents mixed on Formula 1 plan.
During the announcement, the group also released renderings of the course itself that will be run on existing streets in the municipalities, with the New York City skyline and Hudson River as the backdrop.
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. Upwards of 100,000 people are expected to attend each race, starting with practice on Friday, qualifying on Saturday, and racing on Sunday and able to take NJ Transit and PATH to the races.
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