F1Weekly podcast # 626
The Host and Nasir review all the possibilities surrounding the Spanish Grand Prix and we have some news on the progress concerning the Formula One Grand Prix of America at Port Imperial…
WEEHAWKEN, N.J. (May 9, 2013) Christopher R. Pook joins the Formula One Grand Prix of America at Port Imperial executive team as Special Assistant to the Chairman, Leo Hindery, Jr. Pook is a recognized leader in U.S. motorsports, with decades of experience developing venues and events. He joins an established executive team including YES Network founder Hindery, sports and entertainment veteran Dennis Robinson, and sports marketing and corporate development specialist Dick Goldschmidt. Pook will provide consultation with respect to all aspects of construction, planning and execution of the Grand Prix of America at Port Imperial race.
“I am happy to be working with Chris again after some 20 years. Chris has a history of great success in Formula One, which I’m confident he’ll bring to the Grand Prix of America race,” Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone said. “We look forward to working with him to bring F1 racing to New Jersey and New York.”
“The F1 Grand Prix of America at Port Imperial just gained another invaluable team member who will ensure the race will be like nothing the region has ever witnessed,” race promoter Hindery said. “Chris is a leader with decades of experience in American motorsports. We are delighted to add someone with his accomplishments and level of expertise to the Grand Prix of America at Port Imperial team.”
Pook founded and managed the famous and successful USA Grand Prix West, which was the first Formula One street circuit race in the United States and later evolved into an annual event in the Formula One World Championship. He also helped develop other races around the country including races in Detroit, Las Vegas, Dallas, St. Louis, Denver and St. Petersburg, Fla. Pook is the former CEO of the Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) series in the U.S. and a former member of the board of Dover Motorsports, Inc.
The inaugural Formula One Grand Prix of America at Port Imperial is planned for June 2014. The race will receive no subsidies from either local or state government and is expected to generate more than $100 million in economic benefits for New Jersey and New York each year.
The race will be run on a 3.2-mile course using existing streets in Weehawken and West New York, N.J., along the Hudson River and at the top of the Palisades, with the New York City skyline as the backdrop. More than 100,000 people are expected to attend over the course of three days, starting with practice on Friday, qualifying on Saturday and the Formula One race on Sunday. Fans will arrive through a combination of NJ Transit, PATH and New York Waterway ferries.
[audio:http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/mp3.f1weekly.com/podcasts/05-09-13f1weekly626.mp3]