Imagine this breathtaking moment – a grid full of Formula One cars, revving their engines and setting off with the New York City skyline as their backdrop. It has long been the dream of the Formula One to host the Grand Prix of America, and this has now finally become reality with the signing of a 10 year deal to host the race just opposite the Hudson River in New Jersey.

The deal was finally signed yesterday, after long negotiations between New York and New Jersey politicians. The race will be held there from 2013 for a period of ten years.

The route of the Grand Prix of America is expected to start at JFK Boulevard East in Weehawken, just across from Midtown. Cars capable of doing more than 200mph would head north, then turn right in West New York, across from Central Park, and head back south on River Road to the finish line in Weehawken. The route looks like this:

America hasn’t hosted a Grand Prix since Indianapolis in 2007, and hopes this this will help to revive the image of the sport as well as bring in tourists to the region. A deal has also been struck to run a race at a brand new $250 million track in Austin Texas.

Now all we need is a Cape Town Grand Prix. How awesome would that be? Through the streets of Cape Town, under the shadow of Table Mountain and around Cape Town Stadium. That would be epic.

[Source: NY Post]