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Grand Prix of America

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This article is about the Grand Prix in New Jersey. For the Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, see United States Grand Prix. For other United States-based Grands Prix, see United States Grand Prix (disambiguation). For the motorcycle race, see Motorcycle Grand Prix of the Americas.
Not to be confused with the Grand Prix Americas.

Grand Prix of America
Port Imperial Street Circuit
Race information
Circuit length5.15 km (3.20 miles)

The Grand Prix of America[1] was a failed Formula One World Championship race proposal. In 2011, plans were revealed for the race for target planned entry into the 2013 Formula One World Championship.[2] The plan was to hold the race on the proposed 5.2 km (3.2 mi) Port Imperial Street Circuit through the New Jersey towns of West New York and Weehawken[1] near Weehawken Port Imperial,[3] with the Hudson River and New York City skyline as a panoramic backdrop.

The Grand Prix of America had planned to have its first event on June 16, 2013,[4][5] but was not run in 2013.[6][7][8] In late 2013, Formula One President and CEO Bernie Ecclestone stated that the promoters were in breach of contract and that new proposals from other parties would be welcome.[9] The race was repeatedly added then removed from future Formula One provisional calendars, and dropped completely from even the provisional calendar by 2016.[10]

History

A Grand Prix in the New York metropolitan area was announced for the 1983 season, to be held either at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in New Jersey, Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadows in Queens, or Mitchel Field in Hempstead, Long Island (on the same site as the 1936 and 1937 Vanderbilt Cups).[11][12] However, the race was first postponed and then canceled. It was also scheduled for 1984 and 1985, but never managed to get off the ground.[13] CART then started their own race at the Meadowlands.[14]

In May 2010, Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone announced plans to bring a Formula One race to New York City for the 2012 season. Ecclestone was quoted as saying the race would take place across the Hudson River in New Jersey, with the Manhattan skyline overlooking the circuit.[15] Later that month, plans emerged for a circuit to be built in Jersey City's Liberty State Park,[16][17] but those plans were abandoned shortly thereafter.[18] While searching for a venue for the race, Staten Island, Floyd Bennett Field and Meadowlands were all explored, but none were considered viable.[19]

In August 2011, The Wall Street Journal reported on a proposal for a street circuit in Weehawken and West New York, New Jersey, putting forward 2013 as a potential start date.[20] Two months later, in October, The Wall Street Journal further reported that the race would be going ahead in June 2013.[21] Other sources were much more cautious, claiming that the race still needed approval from Hudson County officials before the race could go ahead. Later that month, a revised proposal was put forward,[22] tracing a street circuit that ran through Port Imperial, climbing the Hudson Palisades to Boulevard East before descending the Palisades to rejoin Port Imperial Boulevard. On October 25, 2011, it was officially confirmed that New Jersey would host the Grand Prix of America from 2013 onwards on a 3.2-mile (5.2-km) street circuit.[3][23]

The event was originally on a ten-year contract, starting in June 2013 so as not to clash with the November running of the United States Grand Prix in Austin.[24] It was to be "paired" – held within one week in the interests of cutting down on the costs of logistics – with the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.[24]

Long-time NASCAR promoter Humpy Wheeler was a consultant to the race, which had been expected to provide over US$100 million annually to the economy of the New York/New Jersey area.[25] Leo Hindery, Jr. was the race promoter and director, with Dennis Robinson as the COO. Tom Cotter stepped down as president on August 20, 2012.[26]

Christian Epp of Tilke America described the intended layout as a street circuit with elevation changes similar to the Monaco Street Circuit, but with a higher average lap speed unique among street circuits.[27]

Postponement

In July 2012, Bernie Ecclestone confirmed that New Jersey had been included on the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) 2013 Grand Prix schedule on its 2013 calendar as the Grand Prix of Jersey (New York)[28][29] and in September of the same year, the race was given a provisional date of June 16, 2013.[30] The future of the race was however cast in doubt when a few days later Ecclestone announced that the contract for the race had been annulled.[31][32][33]

In September 2012, Ecclestone announced that the circuit's contract had been annulled since the organizers had not complied with the terms and conditions of the contract.[31] However, the race was provisionally included on the official 2013 Formula One calendar, with its status listed as 'to be confirmed'.[34] That schedule was finalized in December 2012.[35] On October 18, 2012, the mayor of Weehawken announced that the race would be postponed until 2014.[2][36] When asked about the reasons behind the postponement, Ecclestone replied that the organizers could not have everything necessary to host the race arranged in time for 2013.[37]

In March 2013, race promoter Hindery Jr. said that the Grand Prix of America was back on track and that critical pavement work would start around September when the weather was most conducive to do such work.[38]

Hindery's organization was beset with financial difficulties and it remained unclear how the race would be funded, with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie saying that there had been no discussion of the state subsidizing it, as is common for other such events. In May 2013, speculation in the media suggested that Bernie Ecclestone was attempting to return Formula One to the Long Beach circuit as an alternative to the race in New Jersey,[39] though Ecclestone expressed hope the stalled talks with Hindery could be renewed,[40] adding that the sport's administrators had invested in the race to pay off the organisers' debts and expedite the construction process. Chris Pook, who originally established the United States Grand Prix West in Long Beach, but switched it to a CART race in 1984, was also enlisted as a consultant to the Grand Prix of America.[41]

In June 2013, it was announced that race organizer Leo Hindery had signed a new, 15-year contract with F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone after all permits had been secured.[42] Work on the permanent 24-car paddock area was near completion, while paving on the road course could begin "as early as next week,"[43] well ahead of the earlier planned September 2013 start date.

On August 23, 2013, Ecclestone announced that the 2014 Grand Prix of America was canceled because the promoters could not raise the $100 million required for the event planning.[44][45] The race was not included on the provisional 2014 calendar,[46] with race promoters claiming an administrative error.[47]

During the telecast of the 2013 Singapore Grand Prix on September 22, 2013, it was announced on-air that Leo Hindery, Jr and promoters had submitted all necessary entry fees for inclusion on the 2014 calendar, with a provisional date of June 1, 2014 (between the Monaco and Canadian Grands Prix).[48] The Grand Prix was later confirmed on the provisional calendar.[7] The FIA released the official 2014 Formula One season calendar on December 4, 2013, and the Grand Prix did not appear on the schedule. At the same time, the FIA announced that the race had been postponed due to a number of long-term financial problems. Ecclestone apparently had not given up on the race itself; stating that he had "no doubt" that the race would take place in 2015. Organizers were working on financial restructuring and were also optimistic.[49] In December 2013, Ecclestone said the organizers were in breach of contract and that he would entertain proposals from other parties.[9]

There had not been much news regarding the race in 2014, until an article in Forbes written in July revealed that Hindery had found investors to fund the race, but they dropped out at the last minute, and Ecclestone revealed that he was not willing to put the race on a Formula One calendar until 2016.[50] There have been no further updates, and all mention of running the race has been dropped since the 2015 racing season.

According to a March 2014 report in Forbes, Formula E chief executive Alejandro Agag revealed that he had been working with promoters to bring the series to the New York area, but that he was waiting to see how the financial situation surrounding the Grand Prix was resolved before he could commit to bringing the Formula E series to the city.[51][52]

References

  1. ^ a b "New Jersey to host Grand Prix of America in 2013". October 25, 2011.
  2. ^ a b "New Jersey Grand Prix to be postponed until 2014". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. October 19, 2012. Retrieved October 19, 2012.
  3. ^ a b Elizalde, Pablo (October 25, 2011). "New Jersey confirms F1 Grand Prix from the 2013 season". Autosport.com. Haymarket Press. Archived from the original on October 27, 2011. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  4. ^ "FIA confirms 2013 Formula 1 calendar". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. September 28, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  5. ^ Baime, A. J. "Formula One Roars to Banks of Hudson", The Wall Street Journal, October 26, 2011. Accessed October 27, 2011. "Formula One... will hold a Grand Prix race on the banks of the Hudson River against the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline in June 2013."
  6. ^ "Weehawken's Formula One Grand Prix race delayed again", The Record (Bergen County), July 24, 2014. Accessed August 4, 2016.
  7. ^ a b "World Motor Sport Council". fia.com. September 27, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  8. ^ "The final 2013 meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) took place today (4 December) in Paris, France" (Press release). FIA. December 4, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  9. ^ a b Sylt, Christian (December 24, 2013). "New Jersey Grand Prix organizers in breach of contract says Ecclestone Formula One boss says if another group wants to take over Grand Prix of America, 'they can have it'". Auto Week. Archived from the original on June 8, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2013.
  10. ^ "World Motor Sport Council 2014 – Beijing" (Press release). FIA. September 4, 2014. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  11. ^ "New York May Get '83 Auto Grand Prix". The New York Times. October 28, 1982. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  12. ^ "New York Grand Prix scheduled". Reading Eagle. UPI. October 28, 1982. pp. 41, 47. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  13. ^ "No auto racing in New York". Boca Raton News. June 3, 1983. p. 2D. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  14. ^ Harris, Mike (June 29, 1984). "U.S. Grand Prix success is vital to CART future". Daily News. Bowling Green, Kentucky|Bowling Green, KY. AP. p. 1-B. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  15. ^ Lostia, Michele (March 25, 2010). "Ecclestone hoping for New York GP". Autosport.com.
  16. ^ Collantine, Keith (May 4, 2010). "New York F1 track plans revealed – Jersey City bids for 2012 night race". F1 Fanatic. Archived from the original on July 9, 2010. Retrieved May 4, 2010.
  17. ^ Noble, Jonathan (May 4, 2010). "Jersey City eyes Formula 1 race". Autosport.com.
  18. ^ Elizalde, Pablo (May 5, 2010). "Jersey City cans F1 Grand Prix plan". Autosport.com.
  19. ^ Baime, A. J. (October 25, 2011). "Formula One Roars To Banks of Hudson". The Wall Street Journal. News Corporation. Retrieved October 26, 2011.
  20. ^ Collantine, Keith (August 3, 2011). "New plans for New York Grand Prix track in 2013". F1Fanatic. Retrieved October 26, 2011.
  21. ^ Baime, A. J. (October 22, 2011). "Formula One Is Coming to New Jersey in 2013". The Wall Street Journal. New York. Retrieved October 26, 2011.
  22. ^ "Formula One to unveil New Jersey Grand Prix for 2013". The Guardian. London. Reuters. October 25, 2011. Retrieved October 26, 2011.
  23. ^ Schultz, Johnathon (October 26, 2011), "Plan for a New York Area Formula One Race Announced in New Jersey", The New York Times, retrieved October 27, 2011
  24. ^ a b Saward, Joe (October 25, 2011). "Details from New Jersey". Joe Saward on F1. Joe Saward. Retrieved October 26, 2011.
  25. ^ Dopp, Terrence (October 25, 2011). "Formula One Cars to Race in New Jersey in 2013, F1 CEO Ecclestone Says". New York: Bloomberg. Archived from the original on April 1, 2012. Retrieved October 26, 2011.
  26. ^ "Tom Cotter quits as president of New Jersey F1 group". autoweek.com. August 19, 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  27. ^ "US Grand Prix of America". October 18, 2013. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015.
  28. ^ "FIA releases 2013 calendar". Formula 1. September 28, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  29. ^ Collatine, Keith (September 28, 2012). "FIA confirms 2013 F1 calendar with minor changes". F1 Fanatic. Keith Collantine. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
  30. ^ Noble, Jonathan; Rencken, Dieter (September 21, 2012). "Singapore GP: 2013 Formula 1 calendar revealed". Haymarket Publications. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
  31. ^ a b Beer, Matt (September 25, 2012). "Fresh doubts emerge over 2013 New Jersey Grand Prix". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved September 25, 2012.
  32. ^ "Formula One race in New Jersey may not happen", The Star-Ledger, September 25, 2012, retrieved September 27, 2012
  33. ^ Sylt, Christine (September 25, 2012), "Grand Prix of America in serious doubt after organizers' contract is torn up", The Guardian, retrieved September 27, 2012
  34. ^ Cooper, Adam (September 28, 2012). "F1: New Jersey On 2013 Calendar But 'To Be Confirmed'". SPEED Channel. Fox Sports. Archived from the original on October 1, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  35. ^ Baime, A. J.; Heather Haddon (October 1, 2012), "Uncertainty Over N.J. Formula One", The Wall Street Journal, retrieved October 3, 2012
  36. ^ McDonald, Terrace (October 18, 2012), "Mayors: Formula 1 race along Hudson River waterfront postponed until 2014", The Jersey Journal, retrieved October 18, 2012
  37. ^ Baldwin, Alan (October 19, 2012). "New Jersey race to be postponed – organisers". Reuters UK. Thomson Reuters. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
  38. ^ Mai, HJ (March 8, 2013). "New Jersey F1 Race Promoter Hindery Jr. Says 'We Are Back Under Construction'". SportsBusiness Journal. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
  39. ^ Strunsky, Steve (May 8, 2013). "N.J. Formula 1 race, more bumps in the road". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  40. ^ Reid, Caroline; Sylt, Christian (April 30, 2013). "Ecclestone confirms Long Beach talks Caroline Reid and Christian Sylt". ESPN. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  41. ^ Baldwin, Alan (May 11, 2013). "F1 has invested in New Jersey race, says Ecclestone". reuters.com. Reuters. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  42. ^ Strunsky, Steve (June 7, 2013). "Local Formula 1 organizer says he has new contract, NJ race on schedule for June 2014". www.nj.com/starledger. The Star-Ledger. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  43. ^ Baime, A. J. (June 7, 2013). "N.J. Formula One Race Is 'Definitely On'". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  44. ^ "F1: 2014 Grand Prix of America is off, says Bernie". CNN. August 23, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  45. ^ Bowman, Zach (August 23, 2013). "Ecclestone says no 2014 F1 race in New Jersey". Road & Track. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  46. ^ Benson, Andrew (September 5, 2013). "Formula 1: New Jersey race dropped from draft 2014 calendar". BBC Sport. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  47. ^ Smith, Luke (September 6, 2013). "New Jersey GP still could claim place on 2014 F1 calendar". NBC Sports. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
  48. ^ Noble, Jonathan (September 21, 2013). "Door left open for New Jersey F1 race on 2014 Grand Prix calendar". www.autosport.com. Autosport. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  49. ^ "Nothing found for 2013 12 04 New Jersey Mexico India South Korea Dropped From 19 Raced 2013 F1 Calendar". grandprix247.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  50. ^ "F1 Will Race In Azerbaijan In 2016 Says Ecclestone". www.forbes.com. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  51. ^ Sylt, Christian (March 28, 2014). "Formula E "Working With New York" On Street Race". Forbes. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  52. ^ Strunsky, Steve (April 4, 2014). "Formula E could replace F-1 as New York's grand prix, report says". The Jersey Journal. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
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