Port Imperial Street Circuit facts for kids
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| Location | Weehawken and West New York, New Jersey |
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| Time zone | UTC-5 |
| Coordinates | 40°46′37″N 74°00′40″W / 40.776853°N 74.011120°W |
| FIA Grade | 1 |
| Architect | Hermann Tilke |
| Length | 3.2 mi (5.2 km) |
| Turns | 19 |
The Port Imperial Street Circuit was a planned race track in Weehawken and West New York, New Jersey, in the United States. It was going to be a 3.2-mile (5.2 km) circuit for motor racing. The track was planned along the Hudson Waterfront near Weehawken Port Imperial.
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History of the Race Track
The idea for the Port Imperial Street Circuit was first shared in October 2011. It was meant to host a big race called the Grand Prix of America. This race was part of the FIA Formula One World Championship.
The race was supposed to start in 2013. However, it faced many delays and was put off several times. This happened because of money problems, not getting official approval from the FIA, and issues with the people organizing the event. There was also a disagreement about the contract.
When the 2013 race was removed from the racing calendar, the head of Formula One, Bernie Ecclestone, said the organizers had broken their agreement. He was open to new ideas from other groups. The race kept being added to and then removed from future Formula One schedules. By 2016, it was completely taken off the list.
Later, in 2014, the boss of Formula E, Alejandro Agag, said he was also trying to bring his electric car racing series to the Port Imperial Circuit. But since the Formula One race never happened, he decided in 2016 to hold the Formula E race in a different area in Brooklyn instead.
Where the Track Was and How It Was Designed
People looked for a good place for the track in the New York City area for several years. This spot was chosen because it was close to the Hudson River and the Hudson Palisades. This meant it would have amazing views of the city skyline and changes in height. It was also easy to get to by public transport.
The circuit was designed by a German track designer named Hermann Tilke. Cars would race around it in a clockwise direction. The starting line was planned to be next to the NY Waterway ferry terminal. The pit stops and garage areas were to be between the ferry terminal and Port Imperial Boulevard.
The first part of the track would run along the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway. This was designed so cars could race through Port Imperial. Then, they would climb up the Hudson Palisades along Pershing Road. The track would then follow Boulevard East north to Donnelly Memorial Park. From there, it would turn right and go down Hillside Avenue to a very sharp turn called a hairpin turn. This turn was next to the West New York sewage treatment plant. Finally, the track would go back south to the ferry terminal using Port Imperial Boulevard. The track would have a height change of about 150 feet (46 meters) from Port Imperial to the Palisades. This would make it one of the tracks with the biggest height differences.
Even though the track would pass through neighborhoods, people living there would still be able to get to their homes. The organizers planned to make sure the seven affected homes had access. The organizers also planned to pay for the race without using any public money.
Test Drives on the Proposed Track
In June 2012, the famous race car driver Sebastian Vettel did a test run on the planned route. He said the track was "exceptional" and that drivers would love it. He mentioned that the height changes and turns reminded him of other famous tracks like the Circuit de Spa-Francamp and the Circuit de Monaco. Vettel thought the circuit would have "quick, floating corners." He expected cars to go over 200 mph (320 km/h), meaning the track would reward the bravest drivers.
In August 2012, another driver, David Coulthard, also drove parts of the course. He was testing the roads for a promotional video for Red Bull Racing. The video showed the street circuit and the areas around it.
Plans for Building the Track
In June 2013, the event organizer, Leo Hindery, announced that the race had all the local permits it needed. He also said that 31 companies were getting ready to work on the track. The circuit was going to use only existing roads. This meant they would not need to build any new sections just for the race, except for the pit lane. The cities and the race organizers signed a contract in June 2013. That same month, a bridge opened between a building and the Port Imperial Hudson–Bergen Light Rail station. This bridge was important for people to get to the circuit.
Construction of a parking garage at the NY Waterway ferry terminal started in July 2012. This garage was meant to be used as the race headquarters and garage area, with space for twenty-four pit garages. The ground floor of the building would normally be shops. But each year, it would be changed for use by the race. This construction was finished in the summer of 2013. In November 2013, work began on two hotels that would be built above the parking garage.
Repaving and other work on the roads was planned for August to November 2013. To make the surface smooth, the repaving was to be done in a special way called "echelon." This would prevent the asphalt from cooling too quickly as new lanes were poured. It was still being decided if things like fire hydrants and traffic lights would need to be moved.
There was also a plan to use the barriers from the old Valencia Street Circuit for this new track.
See also
In Spanish: Circuito callejero de Port Imperial para niños
