(Picture: cnn.com)
Formula One could make a return to Long Beach in California according to race founder Chris Pook, however speaking to the Orange County Register he said that the circuit would require a $10 million upgrade in order to comply with the demands of a modern day Formula One venue.
Pook's comments come as the proposed street race in New Jersey would appear for the moment at least to have stalled and it is believed that Bernie Ecclestone is looking at alternative venues to host a second American race and it reportedly eager for Formula One to take over from IndyCar when it's contract with Long Beach comes to an end at the end of next year.
Pook said: 'We just want the opportunity to state our case, to be considered, we just want them to take a look at what we would bring to the table, that is all we are asking'
Formula One has reignited interest in America in recent years following its successful return with the Circuit Of The Americas in Austin, Texas and with the possibility of a US team coming into the sport it is the perfect time for a second race to be held stateside as there is more interest in the sport in North America now.
It is believed that Pook who sold his stake in the Long Beach facility in 2002 is working alongside Bernie Ecclestone to get Formula One back to California by 2016.
A second race in the United States would be beneficial to everyone involved in Formula One particularly manufacturers. For example, the US is Ferrari's largest market and with McLaren Automotive looking to expand its brand it would be the perfect place to do this in fact American talk show host and avid car collector Jay Leno has just taken deliver of the brand new McLaren P1 road car, the first one to arrive in America.
A race in Long Beach would also brig with it a huge cash injection into the local economy in terms of tourism and with the new sound of F1 there would be minimal noise but it would still be a massive spectacle for fans of the sport.
It is not yet known what the time frame is when it comes to making a decision about a race in Long Beach but it would be fantastic to see a second race in the US.
©Ben Johnston 2014
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