Rick Perry Promotes Texas at Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix

Texas’s governor has been out promoting a race that is coming up in Texas.

Rick Perry attended the 2012 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix at the Monza Circuit last Sunday, in an effort to promote the upcoming Formula 1 United States Grand Prix that will take place in Austin on November 16^th through the 18^th.

Perry and his wife Anita are in Italy for an economic development trip until Wednesday, September 12^th. The entire trip has been funded by TexasOne and the Ambrosetti Forum, and no tax dollars have been used for their travel and accommodations.

The United States Grand Prix will be held at the Circuit of the Americas track in Austin, which is currently under construction.

Perry discussed investment and trade with Texas with Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti and Israeli President Shimon Peres on Saturday. He also spoke at a dinner hosted by Milan Consul General Kyle Scott on Sunday, which was attended by Italian government and business leaders.

The U.S. Grand Prix events are expected to attract 1.2 million visitors annually, with an expected $400 to $500 million in total spending in 2012.