It's Official: Formula One Race Coming To North Jersey
WEEHAWKEN, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- West New York and Weehawken, New Jersey will soon look more like Monte Carlo as a huge, international car race is speeding towards those towns.
With one of the best views of New York's skyline as a backdrop, Formula One, the world's most popular car racing will come to the streets of the Garden State in June of 2013.
"People from all over the world will be coming to New Jersey to see this race on this unique and exciting course that is a part of our state," Gov. Chris Christie said.
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Christie made the announcement in Hudson County on Tuesday. It is where the open-wheel cars will race on residential streets like Boulevard East in West New York and Weehawken while going down steep hills off of the Palisades and making pin turns on to Port Imperial.
Many residents are ecstatic, while others are concerned.
"I think it's a great idea. There's a lot of people that like racing in the state. It's a big sport," Vinny Capitanello, of Hackensack, told CBS 2's Christine Sloan.
The cars will travel up to 200 mph during the three-day race on a three-mile road race.
"I think it's extremely dangerous because the roads are very curvy," said Angela Wheeler, of Union City.
Others are dreading the thought of the race.
"I think it's actually horrible. It shouldn't be coming. It's going to ruin the whole atmosphere around here. It's very peaceful, it's going to get loud," said Andrea Batista, of West New York.
Formula One organizers say they take safety seriously. Concrete barriers and catch fences will line the streets and organizers say almost all residents will have access to their homes.
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"Most of the homes at the top of the Palisades actually access their homes from the back," YES Network CEO Leo Hindrey said. "When we close the road that we're actually sitting on today there's a road that stays open."
More than a 100,000 spectators will make their way to the area along the Hudson River. The tickets for the three-day event will cost about $360, but will cost you nothing if you live along the route.
The mayors of Weehawken and West New York say taxpayers will not foot any bills, adding that Formula One will take care of expenses.
Are you happy Formula One racing is coming to Hudson County? Sound off in the comments section below...
