Looks like Bernie wants a race by the Jersey Shore :D...
Looks like Bernie wants a race by the Jersey Shore http://www.northjersey.com/news/state/032510_Formula_One_racing_boss_wants_to_bring_Grand_Prix_to_NJ.html
Formula One racing boss wants to bring Grand Prix to NJ Thursday, March 25, 2010 WIRE SERVICE ASSOCIATED PRESS MILAN Formula One cars could be racing with a backdrop of the Manhattan skyline if Bernie Ecclestone gets his way. The F1 boss wants to help set up a New York Grand Prix in 2012. "(It would be) in front of Manhattan in New Jersey, with the skyscrapers in the background," Ecclestone said in Thursday's Gazzetta dello Sport. "Fifteen minutes from the center of New York to the circuit would be marvelous." There hasn't been a grand prix in the United States since 2007, when Lewis Hamilton won in Indianapolis to signal the end to eight years at the circuit. Before that, Phoenix hosted three grand prix from 1989 to 1991, while Watkins Glen in upstate New York hosted the F1 from 1961 to 1980. Ecclestone also left the door open for former Renault owner Flavio Briatore to return to the series. The Italian was banned for life after an attempt at race-fixing at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. He overturned the ban in a French court, but Formula One's governing body is appealing the decision. Briatore recently ruled out a return to the series. "Why not?" Ecclestone said. "It depends on what he wants to do, but I think he could have a role promoting Formula One." The 79-year-old Ecclestone also said he has no intention of leaving Formula One any time soon. "I am happy to continue. I'm well and I'm enjoying myself," he said. "When I'm not, then I will stop. At the moment we are going through some difficulties and when things are going badly you should lead from the front to try and improve them."
I can see it now.... the Secaucus GP. Wow, how the mighty have fallen. Anyone who's seen the Meadowlands knows that Monaco it ain't.
I don't know about that. Don't knock it. I used to live in Manhattan on Riverside Drive facing Jersey and the Palisades. I can actually envision a track there. The vistas would be amazing and plenty to do on both sides of the river with plenty of transportation all around.
Hey...i work in Secaucus! Haha...yea...doesn't quite have the same ring as 'Monaco'. The race on River Rd alongside the Hudson would be nice...but A LOT of work will be needed on the roads there.
Wtf? There is no way in hell that area could support an F1 race. The infrastructure alone is mind-boggling, and $$ that doesn't exist. At least he's talking about the US, but this is a terrible idea. He should address a tire manufacturer for 2011 instead...
I'm all for it. Flights to NY are cheap and plentiful. There are hotels everywhere and NY has lots of sight seeing to offer. And the best thing: Track security provided by the Sopranos.
Are you guys telling me F1 mite be in my backyard? Insane! I think it would be a smarter move then Indy any day of the week.
+1 It'd be a bit like Montreal and the Isle de Notre Dame. Just need plenty of public transportation across the Hudson river. Extra buses by the city for the duration of the weekend and some dedicated lanes through the tunnel. Probably some entrepreneurs with ferry boats could make a fortune. And helicopter rides a la Silverstone. And those who want to avoid the chaos or save a buck, just fly into Newark and stay there in a hotel. I can see the logistics working. The remaining question is the tab. But if Bernie wants it bad enough, he might just cut a low enough deal.
I'm no NYC expert, but based on my trip that number is impossible without assistance from private helicopter or bigass catapult.
I used to work in Secaucus. Ah! The SMELL from the marshes once used as dumping grounds from the old pig slaughterhouses. Marvelous!
Depends on how they define "center". The geographical center would be something like Times Square or Central Park. Neither would allow even a helicopter take-off. So there this wouldn't work. But if you define it as Manhattan (using the term NY for the wider Metropolitan area) then it is doable by ferry or helicopter from the West shore.
Looks like Bernie's been watching too much MTV. Its amazing how good he is at getting reactions to schemes that he doesn't even believe in.
Ain't gonna happen. Haven't spent time in Jersey City since 2002 or so but things don't change that fast. The place is a dump. Getting to Manhattan seldom takes more than half an hour using the Holland tunnel but the Lincoln can be screwed up and sometimes takes an hour straight across. I wonder if Bernie's been to that part of NJ...
Since they're losing their tire supplier, I guess he figures the cars will be up on blocks even before reaching NJ.
It could be done depending on where in Jersey you ran the race. If it were in say, Newport which is right out of the Holland tunnel and has a pretty mice marina area, then 15 minutes is all it would take on the Path Train. It sounds interesting.
I live at the Jersey Shore, he's not talking about the Jersey Shore. That being said, I remember the CART race at the Meadowlands, I loved it, but it was lame as far as a course went. This would be tough to do, but I personally would love it.
They thought about doing this in Queens in the 1980s, and it died quickly due to environmental studies, community opposition (tree huggers), etc. I could have walked to the proposed track.
