Formula 1 Race Planned For North Jersey Is Postponed
WEST NEW YORK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The Formula 1 race scheduled to fly down the streets of West New York and Weehawken, N.J. next June has been delayed.
Race promoters are reportedly behind on road repairs and obtaining the appropriate permits.
WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reports
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News of the postponement took West New York Mayor Felix Roque by surprise.
"I'm like a little kid and I was looking forward to this and West New York is a big Hispanic community, about 78 percent Hispanic here, and we love racing and everybody is looking forward to this. So as soon as they hear the news, I'm sure they're going to be calling me," Roque told WCBS 880's Marla Diamond on Thrusday. "I'm surprised, I'm shocked."
The writing seemed to be on the wall last month, when there was an asterisk next to the Grand Prix of America listed on the Formula 1 2013 calendar.
But Mayor Roque said he is certain the race will happen in 2014.
"The world is watching, everybody. So I want to make sure that my town West New York and Weehawken are very well-prepared and make it happen and do probably the best Formula 1 racing in the world," Roque told Diamond.
Hotel rooms had already been booked and businesses were gearing up for an influx of visitors for the three-day event. Experts estimated the race would bring 100,000 visitors to the area.
Formula 1 cars can reach speeds of 200 mph. The race was slated to run along more than three miles of local waterfront streets.
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