proposed track screenshot from the press conference

Zero to two in two years. We’re doing well, America. Of course if we counted the return of the race in Canada after a brief time off, we’d really be doing well in North America overall.

Just so we’re straight already on these names with more than a year to go to the first race: the United States Grand Prix will take place at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. It’ll be in November 2012. It’s set for 10 years with the FIA.

Today brings us the Grand Prix of America, coming June 2013. The track will be clockwise, running through the streets of West New York and Weehawken, New Jersey. There are no residences within the area of the track. The 3.2 mile circuit itself will take the name Port Imperial Street Circuit, and it will run on existing roads. It’s touted as “feeling like Spa at Monte Carlo.” or something silly like that. Personally, I think you have to go to Spa for Spa, and you aren’t gonna get Monte Carlo anywhere but Monte Carlo.

There’s already reports a 3 day ticket will cost $360, not confirmed by those in charge yet. Expected attendance is around 100,000, which seems low, with an economic boost to the area of $100 million per year.

The GPoA people have already signed a contract with the FIA for 10 years, beginning in 2013. Bernie was not present for this press conference as obviously he needs to be at the inaugural Indian GP.

The Facebook page for the race can be found here, I am completely clueless as to which highlighted track is what they are going for, so here’s a video of a drive along the proposed track in a Jag.

I hope nobody really is trying to put these two American races up against each other. They should be treated as two separate things, and not in competition with each other for attendance and interest. I personally can’t wait to go to both, although that $360 seems way too high for a street circuit. Then again, their point is to pay for everything without using public/tax money.

The race in Austin and the race in New Jersey will be completely different things, just based on the tracks alone. They will be at different times in the season, and they will build up an amazingly strong US presence in Formula 1 once again.

By 2013, there will be no choice but for someone to sign Alexander Rossi, okay? That’s all I’m saying here.