(Wikipedia)
The news means that the venue would not be available for Formula One until at least 2019 so Formula One team's and indeed its fans will be hoping that the race in New Jersey will go ahead next season.
New Jersey was die to host a second United States Grand Prix this season however authorities in New Jersey were unable to meet the deadline to secure a place on the Formula One calendar for this season. Chris Pook, the organizer of the Long Beach event was keen to bring Formula One back to California and had even proposed that $10 million would be invested in the circuit to upgrade it and make it Formula One standard.
However, the city council have decided to stick with IndyCar as the sports contract was due to run out at the end of next season. Long Beach council have stated in their decision that the door has been left open for the possible return of Formula One to the circuit in 2019.
A Formula One race was held in Long Beach from 1976 to 1983 with Northern Ireland's John Watson the last Grand Prix driver to take victory at the the Californian circuit for McLaren.
Formula One has become more popular in the United States in recent years following the incredible success of the Circuit of the Americas track in Austin, Texas which has proven to be extremely popular among driver's and fan's alike with many European based Formula fans choosing to travel to the United States to watch the race. There is a real carnival atmosphere in the city when the F1 circus rolls into town.
Formula One needs a second race in the US and it would be fantastic to see New Jersey on the calendar. Austin is approximately 1,716 miles driving wise away from New Jersey and with an American team set to come into the sport in 2015 or 2016 means that the sports fan base in the US is going to expand rapidly.
It will be a case of wait and see what happens with New Jersey.
©Ben Johnston 2014
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