Motegi race moved to October?

The Gold Coast Bulletin reports that Surfers Paradise will retain its late October date, two weeks after Japan. The races to survive from the Champ Car series are Toronto, Edmonton, Long Beach, Mexico City and Surfers Paradise. Indy bosses last night remained upbeat, saying the event would have 24 drivers, the best open wheel drivers in the world, and some of the big names will be back such as Dario Franchitti, the Andretti family and highly successful team owner Roger Penske.

But Indy bosses say the Surfers Paradise event is already attracting extra corporate sponsors, on the back of a stronger series and F1's demise.

Mr. Mackenroth said it was no secret that the Champ Car and IRL series had struggled since they were split in 1997.

"It's been very difficult in the United States … sponsorship has been split, the fans have been split, the TV coverage has been split," he said.

"The Surfers Paradise event has always been strong, shining despite the troubles in the US.

"But the reality is that this will enable the sport to build its team and driver base and build its sponsorship base and that can only be good for us.

"I think we're already seeing corporate sponsors looking at Surfers Paradise in the wake of the trouble in Melbourne (with the F1)."

The V8s are coming off another spectacular year, with TV coverage and the sport's popularity hitting record levels.

Research by V8 Supercars management shows that up to two in three people go to Indy for the V8s, although Indy bosses say the international flavor of the event is pivotal to its success, both on and off the track.

The Queensland Government pumps $11 million a year into the Gold Coast event, which generates $60 million for the local economy.