The New Jersey Grand Prix saga has taken another twist as former CART boss Chris Pook joins the board as assistant to Leo Hindery, Jr.

Pook founded and managed the USA Grand Prix West, the first F1 street circuit race in the United States which later evolved into an annual event on the world championship calendar. He also helped develop other races around the country including races in Detroit, Las Vegas, Dallas, St. Louis, Denver and St. Petersburg.

He is the former CEO of the Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) series in the U.S. and a former member of the board of Dover Motorsports, Inc.

According to a press release issued by the PR firm for the Grand Prix of America at Port Imperial, Pook joins the executive team as Special Assistant to the Chairman, Leo Hindery, Jr.

It reads:

"Pook is a recognized leader in U.S. motorsports, with decades of experience developing venues and events. He joins an established executive team including YES Network founder Hindery, sports and entertainment veteran Dennis Robinson, and sports marketing and corporate development specialist Dick Goldschmidt. Pook will provide consultation with respect to all aspects of construction, planning and execution of the Grand Prix of America at Port Imperial race.

"I am happy to be working with Chris again after some 20 years. Chris has a history of great success in Formula One, which I'm confident he'll bring to the Grand Prix of America race,” said Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone. "We look forward to working with him to bring F1 racing to New Jersey and New York."

"The F1 Grand Prix of America at Port Imperial just gained another invaluable team member who will ensure the race will be like nothing the region has ever witnessed," added race promoter Hindery. "Chris is a leader with decades of experience in American motorsports. We are delighted to add someone with his accomplishments and level of expertise to the Grand Prix of America at Port Imperial team."

According to the release, "the inaugural Formula One Grand Prix of America at Port Imperial is planned for June 2014. The race will receive no subsidies from either local or state government and is expected to generate more than $100 million in economic benefits for New Jersey and New York each year".

Despite this, Pitpass sources claim that money, political and even geographic problems leave the event very much in doubt.