V8s doubt IndyCar will be back in Surfers

V8 Supercars says it is unlikely the streets of Surfers Paradise will see a return of the American IndyCar championship.

The United States open-wheel championship hasn't raced on the Gold Coast since 2008, bringing an end to an event which had been running since 1991.

In their absence the Gold Coast race has become the domain of V8 Supercars, who recently extended their deal with the Queensland Government for another three years.

IndyCar executives have been repeatedly quoted over the past two years saying they are keen on an Australian return.

Australian IndyCar star Ryan Briscoe, racing alongside Russell Ingall at this weekend's Gold Coast 600, has also told local media the championship is hoping to return to Surfers Paradise.

But several factors, including track length and dates, stand in the way of the Gold Coast event becoming a stop on the IndyCar calendar once more.

The construction of the light rail on the Gold Coast means the current 2.97km layout of the street circuit – much too short for the IndyCars – is about all the space there is available for a racetrack.

The late October date is favored by tourism officials and the state government as it boosts visitor numbers during a traditionally slow period but comes after IndyCars has finished its season.

V8 Supercars chief executive James Warburton has also indicated getting additional funding to bring IndyCars back to the Gold Coast would be unlikely.

Under James leadership we are open to discussions, but the indicators are that it would be economically unviable, a V8 Supercar spokesperson told AAP.

As it stands the ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600 is a fantastic success for the community, our sport and the government.