The New Jersey Grand Prix organizing committee has appointed the key men who will help lead the project into its first Formula 1 race next year. Tom Cotter (LEFT), who previously led the motorsports marketing agency the Cotter Group, has been appointed president of the race promoting company for the event, slated for June 2013. He will work alongside former New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority CEO and President Dennis Robinson, who is joining as Chief Operations Officer.
Cotter, who sold his company to Clear Channel Communications in 2011, said about his new role: "Only a world-class opportunity like this could divert me from my bucket list. The chance to make racing history doesn't come along often."
New Jersey's race promoter and director, Leo Hindery Jr., added: "It is vital that we have a leadership team that is highly respected in motorsports, and in running major sporting events in the region, and that understands and respects our overriding responsibilities to the fans, the people of New York and New Jersey, the teams and the drivers. Tom Cotter and Dennis Robinson are the best possible choices to fill these roles."
F1 commercial manager Bernie Ecclestone concluded a deal last October with the New Jersey group to host its first grand prix on a 3.2-mile street circuit, running on existing roads through Port Imperial and at the top of the Palisades in Weehawken and West New York, in 2013. The New Jersey event would join the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on the F1 calendar. Austin is scheduled to host its first USGP this November.