Change of TV broadcasters for Aussie race

The Seven network will broadcast this year's Indy, ending an impasse that threatened the future of the Surfers Paradise motorsport event. The new television deal comes as Indy and V8 Supercar bosses begin talks to extend the event to 2013.

Seven's commitment to the Champ Car race means viewers will now provide more coverage of the American-based open wheel series race than the network it succeeded, Network Ten.

V8 Supercars boss Tony Cochrane said yesterday the Champ Cars would be covered by V8 Supercars Television after a financial agreement had been stitched up with the Gold Coast Motor Events company, which jointly runs Indy with IMG.

He said the TV arm of V8 Supercars had struck a two-year deal with Indy bosses to provide broadcasting. "We have agreed to begin the renegotiation process to take the event from 2009-2013," he said. GC Bulletin