Christie revealed that the contract had been “signed and agreed for several
weeks” adding that no public money will be used to pay for the event.
The man behind the race is TV executive and sometime racer Leo Hindery, and
Tavo Hellmand, race promoter for the United States GP in Austin, was swift
to offer his congratulations.
“I want to extend my congratulations to Leo and his team,” he said. “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.”
Formula One has a long history of racing in the US. Prior to arriving at
Indianapolis, races were held at Long Beach in California, Las Vegas,
Detroit, Dallas and Phoenix on a variety of street circuits.