V8 boss calls for DTM race to replace IRL in Surfers

With the future of the Gold Coast Indy yet to be resolved, the Deutsche Touring Car Masters German championship has emerged as a dark horse that could replace the racing event.

The DTM has the backing of V8 Supercars Australia chairman Tony Cochrane as a potential replacement for Indy.

Mr. Cochrane told the Bigpond Sport website that DTM, which runs V8-powered Mercedes-Benz and Audis, would be his pick of international categories to replace the Indy grand prix on the Coast.

"I would personally see something like the DTM out here and make it the world's greatest weekend of touring cars," he said. "We are the best two touring car championships in the world.

"How that would sit with their calendar, I don't know, but it is certainly worth asking the question."

Mr. Cochrane told Bigpond Sport he remained optimistic about the future of the Gold Coast Indy and said as unlikely as it seemed, the Indy Racing League might change tack and continue its Surfers Paradise association.

"Maybe the IRL will wake up to themselves," he said.

Next year's race has been earmarked for the weekend of October 22-25, 2009. Goldcoast.com