In August, rumors started swirling that a Formula One race could be coming the way of New York City (well, Weehawken and West New York) but we didn't put too much stock in it. We've been burned by F1 before. But lo! A source has confirmed to the AP that the race is coming to town in June 2013. A press conference is scheduled to announce the news in Weehawken tomorrow. Race fans, you can commence getting excited! more ›

Later this year the New York City area is getting its own big money surfing competition, so why shouldn't we have some Formula One racing as well? Hey, it could happen! Today the Wall Street Journal reports that the mayors of Weehawken and West New York have teamed up to try and bring the "world's premier racing circuit" to the Hudson. As long as the government doesn't have to pay anything, natch. more ›

How long do you think it would take you to drive the entire way around the isle of Manhattan? Because whatever time you've got in your head we're pretty sure it'll be hard to top the time that this driver pulled off at some point last year. Going up the FDR, across at the GW Bridge Interchange, down the Henry Hudson, and across again at the Battery Park Tunnel he managed to do the 24 mile trek in 26 minutes (averaging 56 mph with a top speed of 111 mph). more ›

The State Senate failed to pass a measure rescuing the city's Off Track Betting operation, which has struggled for years. The Times Union reports, "The 29 to 21 voted proceeded mostly on party lines, as leaders of the Senate Democratic conference pushed approval the bill, which was drafted by Gov. David Paterson and passed the Assembly late last month. The bill failed because it did not have 32 yes votes, the bare majority needed for passage." more ›

Mike Tyson (that dude seriously loves pigeons) was PETA's last target in their war against pigeon racing, and now the organization is taking their campaign to the district attorney and police chief of each county where races occur. Their hope is that an investigation will occur and organizers will be forced to cancel future races. more ›

The struggling Off-Track Betting Corporation was given a stay of execution yesterday by the city, which granted them an extra week to try to avoid shutting down altogether. The OTB has been in serious financial troubles, having filed for bankruptcy last year and having laid off 1,300 workers already. They were expected to be forced to shut down completely by this Sunday without intervention from the State Assembly. more ›

After laying off 1,300 workers and wracking gamblers' nerves, the Off-Track Betting Corp. may actually get the state bailout they were hoping for. The OTB has said they would have to shut down by Sunday without a lifeline from the State Assembly, and the Assembly is working on a plan to help them out. According to the Daily News, state lawmakers are developing a plan that would thin out OTB management and cut the OTB's payments to the state's racing industry by about 10%. Assemblyman Gary Pretlow said, "We have to do something before the middle of next week, otherwise OTB goes out of business totally." more ›

Here's a fresh, hip-level view of what it's like to pedal at top speed through New York City traffic with a flagrant disregard for traffic laws, safety and basic common sense. The people behind the video say it's "a teaser for Empire, a film about having fun on your bike in the city." Sure, it's all harmless DIY fun until your fixie's painted white and locked at the corner where you ran your last red light. But be sure to stay tuned for the 2:30 mark, when a couple of these maniacs actually wear helmets! And at 3:14, there's a taste of what it's like to merge with highway traffic on a bike. more ›

According to various sources, Governor Paterson has reached a deal to take over Off Track Betting (OTB) parlors from New York City, in order to prevent its total shutdown Despite handling more than $1 billion in wagers annually, the company lost $13 million last year. more ›

Big Brown fulfilled his role as the favorite, winning yesterday's 134th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs by four and three-quarters lengths. But the victory of Big Brown and jockey Kent Desormeaux was overshadowed by the death of the second place finisher, Eight Belles. more ›

It may be a long hike from Lexington Ave. to Lexington, Kentucky, and even farther to Louisville, but New Yorkers are not immune to the draw of the 'sport of kings.' The 134th running of the Kentucky Derby takes place today and many people around the city will be doing what most seem to do at the races--wagering and drinking. Mapfaced has a guide on bars to watch the races at Churchill Downs. more ›