Liberty, Manhattan, the Brooklyn -Race Bridge. Very iconic.” The Formula E series has involved companies like Audi, Jaguar, and Richard Branson’s Virgin. In the first two years of the series, drivers included the former star as well as Nelson Piquet Jr., the son of the former champion, and Bruno Senna, Members to cheer on Audi nephew of the great . Formula E-Race team in Leonardo DiCaprio has also lent his grandstand! name as the “head of the The New York area is home to the sustainability committee.” Yankees and Knicks, the Belmont Formula E has raced in Beijing, Stakes and the Westminster Kennel Buenos Aires, Mexico City and Club Dog Show. But the city that is Paris, among other places. The race the capital for so many sports has will be contained within the cruise hardly been a center for auto racing. terminal and will not involve public In July, that will change, when the streets. Formula E circuit comes to the city Though Formula E is eager to for two races—and Audi Club gain the respect held by venerable members will be there to cheer on circuits like Formula One, it is not the Audi team racers! above adding quirky elements to The twist is that while the cars draw attention. During the race, fans look like the open-wheel speedsters vote for their favorite drivers. The one would see in Indianapolis or three who receive the most votes are Monaco, they run 100 percent on awarded a Fan Boost — 50 extra electricity, making Formula E horsepower for three seconds to be something of a green racing series. used in the last six minutes of the “The world has been trying for race. years to race in New York City, and The boost could be enough to it has never been possible,” said overtake a car in front. In Mexico Alejandro Agag, the chief executive City last season, the boost made the of Formula E. “Everyone has been difference when fans lifted Lucas di trying to race in New York City. Grassi to a win, although he was Formula One, everyone. New York later disqualified for unrelated is the capital of the world. We are reasons. really over the moon.” The course And if electric cars are not green will be laid out at the Brooklyn enough, Agag said the electricity Cruise Terminal in Red Hook. comes from generators fueled by The cars do not look like the glycerin from sea algae. Volt or Prius—they are single- seaters that to an untrained eye could pass for the rides of Marco Andretti or . “In a straight, they can reach 180 miles an hour, Agag said, but in a race over a twisty road-style course, they top out around 150 mph. There are expected be 20 drivers in the races, but 40 cars. Organizers said they believed the site in Red Hook would join the pantheon of picturesque racecourses. "It’s a phenomenal setting in terms of view,” said Fred Dixon, the president of NYC & Company, the city’s official tourism organization. “Governors Island, the Statue of