V8 Supercars to race at Indy 300 for another six years

The V8 Supercar Championship Series has signed another long-term contract by agreeing to return to the Gold Coast Indy 300 for the next six years in a major deal announced by the Queensland Government today.

The importance of the V8 Supercar Championship Series in an equal billing with the American IRL Series was confirmed by the deal that secures another major V8 Supercar event to a multi-year arrangement. The new Indy contract starts as of this year’s October event.
“The Gold Coast has really become the home of V8 Supercars with our head office here and so many teams located within in a short distance from our front doors,” said V8 Supercars Australia Chairman Tony Cochrane.
“V8 Supercars is the leading touring car Championship in the world and we are happy to be sharing equal billing with the new IndyCar Series at a world class event.
“This new six year deal is a result of our wonderful working relationship with the Queensland Government. The Queensland Government can take great pride in the enormous jobs growth that V8 Supercars provide in south-east Queensland.
“It is a great partnership and I know that our fans appreciate this.”
Mr Cochrane said as part of the agreement V8 Supercar Television would produce the coverage for both the Seven Network and the IRL.
“The relevance of producing our own television to the Seven Network and the clean international feed means that the IRL can rely on us to make their pictures and send them back to the US,” Mr Cochrane said.
The Queensland Minister for Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport, Judy Spence, announced the new agreements today.
The final piece of the puzzle, which will continue to give V8 Supercars equal billing with the IRL Series at the October event, was put in place after positive discussions with Mr Cochrane this week.
“The Gold Coast Indy 300 has been a part of the Queensland Major Event landscape for 18 years and I am delighted that it will continue to showcase Queensland for many years to come,” said Spence.
“The event has overcome many hurdles in its history, but this latest development probably puts it in its best shape ever.
“It is estimated that the event returns $60 million in economic benefits to the State of Queensland and I am sure that figure will continue to grow as the new-look IndyCar Series and the V8 Supercars continue to attract more national and international attention.”
Today’s announcement is a reward for so many people who have made the Gold Coast Indy 300 an event of international significance, according to event Chairman Terry Mackenroth.
“I also have to thank Tony Cochrane and V8 Supercars Australia for their enthusiasm to get this long-term deal in place and remaining an important part of our event,” Mr Mackenroth said.
“The new-look IndyCar field combined with the V8 Supercars and an always exciting off-track program means that we are shaping up for a memorable event in 2008 and beyond.”
Tickets for this year’s event are available through www.indy.com.