IndyCar confirms Australia race for ’08, ’09?

UPDATE #2 Former deputy premier and Gold Coast Indy chairman Terry Mackenroth said he was pleased the contract for this year's race had been finalized. "We went there earlier this year and they agreed to a six-year deal," Mr. Mackenroth said. "The actual contract for this year's race we have finalized."

But when IndyCar officials announced next year's 18-race lineup and a longer season that stretches into October, there was no mention of an Australian event.

Mackenroth said the Australian organizers would negotiate with IndyCar officials regarding the status and timing of next year's Gold Coast event. "Our board has put that on hold until this year's event," he said. "We want them to see how great this year's event is."

A naming rights sponsor has been finalized and will be announced next week.

07/30/08 In today's IndyCar media conference the IRL's Terry Angstadt was asked how likely is Australia for '09?

"We are in active conversations regarding '09," said Angstadt. "We are keeping a couple of slots open for them. And we're hopeful it can be announced. When we conclude those we'll certainly let everyone know. But we're hopeful we will get them included for '09. But just can't indicate that as yet."

07/30/08 The IndyCar Series will travel to Surfers Paradise, Australia for the Gold Coast Indy 300 on Oct. 26, the first IndyCar Series event in the country.

"We are pleased to announce that the IndyCar Series will hold its first event in Australia this October to celebrate the completion of a successful first season of unified open-wheel racing," said Terry Angstadt, president, commercial division for the Indy Racing League. "Dating back to 1991, the Gold Coast Indy 300 has been labeled the race with the hottest cars, the hottest parties and the hottest beaches, with one of the world's most famous beach-side cities, Surfers Paradise, hosting 96 hours of non-stop excitement on and off the racetrack.

"This is a great opportunity to expose a country with a rich open-wheel racing heritage to the faces of the IndyCar Series. And with drivers such as Will Power, Ryan Briscoe and Scott Dixon hailing from the South Pacific, it makes for an even better homecoming after the end of the season."

The 2.75-mile, 14-turn street circuit in Queensland has hosted Champ Car and CART events since 1991. Following the event at Surfers Paradise, the IndyCar Series will continue its post-season celebration with a championship banquet in Las Vegas.

Said Greg Hooten, general manager of the Gold Coast Indy 300: “The excitement of bringing the first IndyCar Series race to the Gold Coast has been building over the past months. As part of the planning for this year's Gold Coast Indy 300, which is well underway, we will see track construction begin in two weeks. While we look forward to welcoming all of the faces of the IndyCar Series to town, of particular interest for our fans will be the Australian contingent of drivers racing on their home turf."

The 2008 Gold Coast Indy 300 will run from Oct. 23-26.