Construction of the facilities for the 2013 New York grand prix is speeding ahead.

At the same time, there remain grave doubts about the Texas project, despite the permanent Circuit of the Americas venue being scheduled to host its inaugural US grand prix in November.

The Austin American Statesman newspaper has this week quoted county commissioner Sarah Eckhardt as saying: “It appears they (the organisers) don’t have the cash flow to prepare the site for the event.”

It is a very different story so far at Port Imperial, where the American grand prix will take place mid next year on the streets of West New York and Weehawken, amid the Manhattan skyline.

Wheels.ca published a photo depicting the advanced construction of the pit and garage building, which will reportedly house the F1 teams in June next year.

Chris Pook has confirmed he is involved with plans for a second formula one race in the United States.
Pook is a British businessman who championed the famous Long Beach street event for F1 before heading the Champ Car series.

It has been reported this week that, alongside Austin’s inaugural United States grand prix in 2012, Bernie Ecclestone is in talks for another race amid the New York skyline.

A recent proposal for a site in Jersey City was ruled out, but reports suggest another location in New Jersey is on the cards.

Pook, also involved with F1′s Watkins Glen race in the 70s and subsequent events in Detroit, Las Vegas and Dallas, confirmed that he is working on a New Jersey F1 project.

He said he could not give details, like the proposed site, because of a non-disclosure agreement.

F1 chief executive Ecclestone told the Austin newspaper American-Statesman: “There are no agreements (for a second race). We haven’t finalised anything.”

May 5 (GMM)  Hopes that Jersey City could host the US grand prix in the near future were dealt a blow on Wednesday.

Barely 24 hours ago it emerged that officials were in preliminary talks to hold a night race beginning in 2012 inside Liberty State Park, amid the backdrop of the New York skyline.

ut mayor Jerramiah Healy has now backed a public opposition group in warning the city’s Tourism Office to scrap the plans.

“I have come to the same conclusion … that this type of event is not suited for Liberty State Park,” he said in a statement.

“While we work to attract national and international events to our city, we must ensure that they are appropriate and will have the least impact upon the quality of life of our residents and our community,” mayor Healy added.

Moreover, state officials who operate the public park are not confirming if the venue will be approved for F1.

“Each (park) event is considered based on benefit to users and its impact on the natural and historic resources on the site,” a spokesman is quoted as saying by nj.com.

May 4 (GMM)  Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey, has emerged as the potential site for a United States grand prix between 2012 and 2016.

Local reports said talks for a race amid the backdrop of the New York skyline are underway, with a city spokeswoman confirming that “preliminary discussions” with F1 officials started three weeks ago.

The story emerged after documents obtained by opposition group Friends of Liberty State Park showed plans for a 3.6 mile track within the 1200 acre park providing “the least impact to city functions”.

“It is a marketing tool to bring people to Jersey City such as foot traffic and revenue to local businesses,” the spokeswoman is quoted as saying by hudsonreporter.com.

Mayor Jerramiah Healy issued a statement clarifying that Jersey City was approached by formula one.

“Jersey City is one of several cities they (F1) are pursuing,” said mayor Healy.  “There have been a few, preliminary conversations and this is very much in the exploratory phase.

“However, this may not be something that is in the best interest of Jersey City or Liberty State Park,” he added.

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone’s London office could not be reached for comment.

Apr.24 (GMM)  Tony George is interested in taking formula one back to the United States.

We reported last weekend that the 50-year-old former boss of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was spotted in Shanghai for the Chinese grand prix.

George met with F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone and also Zak Brown, founder and CEO of motor sport marketing firm Just Marketing who represents several high level sponsors according to the Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ).

“Would Tony George love to broker a deal to bring back a US grand prix?  Sure,” said Brown.

IBJ said sources confirmed that George was in China to discuss F1′s return to America and meet with potential sponsors for a race that would not necessary take place at Indianapolis.

Indeed, new Indianapolis Motor Speedway boss Jeff Bulskus said George was not in China to represent the fabled Indy 500 venue, while Ecclestone has been pushing for a street race with the New York skyline.

Brown said: “Tony has a lot of contacts in motor sports, and he knows how to put on a US grand prix.

“I think if there’s a role for Tony in trying to bring formula one back to the US, he’d be willing to help.  Tony and Bernie have a very good relationship, and Tony has a lot of interest in seeing F1 return to the US,” he added.

Tony George, who still has an ownership stake in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, could not be reached for comment.