A group of opponents against taxpayer funds going toward the Austin Grand Prix are suing Texas Comptroller Susan Combs in the hope they can block the $25 million (£15m) subsidy.
The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday, cites that Combs promised the funding before she was legally allowed, under the rules of the economic incentive fund which aims to attract major sporting events.
Bill Aleshire, a former tax collector for the state, represents the plaintiffs and believes there wasn’t a competitive bidding process to bring the race to Austin and therefore the city are having to pay an uncompetitive fee.
A spokesman for the Comptroller office has defended the way the funding was processed and is adamant that all necessary channels were followed correctly.
The economic impact to the region, estimated at $287m (£180m) each year, far outweighs the $25m subsidy, and is being used as leverage to justify the funding.
This isn’t the first time the race has faced legal challenges over public funding, with an earlier bid to stop the subsidy thrown out.
