Aussie Champ Car race to top F1 race

OFFICIAL: Indy has burned off Melbourne's Grand Prix as Australia's premier street racing event. (Indy is the name of Champ Car's Surfers Paradise race).

The 18 per cent acceleration in early ticket sales confirms the prediction of Indy chairman Terry Mackenroth that the Grand Prix will be dethroned this year.

Indy's record 316,459 roll-up in 2005 may speed past 350,000 if ticket interest is sustained.

Take a bow Gold Coast. The Qld Gov't invests $11million in the Indy production each year. To put that in perspective, the Victorian Gov't spends up to $28 million for its Grand Prix at Albert Park. That's more than double the money for an inferior result.

"Bleeding like never before," groaned our sister Melbourne tabloid The Herald Sun.

Despite giving away 20 per cent more tickets than last year, the 2006 GP attendance dropped 68,000 to 301,800…

… Losses on Melbourne's Grand prix leapt from $13 million in 2005 to $21 million this year…

… Indy, which will be at full throttle in two weeks, backs up its roar and razzamatazz on its glorious beachside setting with a Gold Coast economic punch worth up to $70 million.

Grand Prix officials bravely claim a $175 million economic boost from their event… Gold Coast Bulletin