MOTOR RACING CARNIVAL SET TO CONTINUE ON THE GOLD COAST

The thrills and spills of a world class motor racing carnival are set to continue on the Gold Coast, Premier Anna Bligh announced today.

Ms Bligh said Indy cars would no longer feature in the carnival but the exciting A1GP series would now join the V8s in October.

“We have reached in-principle agreement with the A1GP and expect to finalise contractual arrangements within the next week,” Ms Bligh said.

“The A1GP is a world class racing series with an action packed race calendar that includes Great Britain, China, Mexico, Portugal, Malaysia, New Zealand, Indonesia, South Africa and The Netherlands.

“As a result of this deal Queensland will now be a permanent fixture on the calendar as well.

“The A1GP World Cup of Motorsport features national teams – including Australia - competing against each other on a level playing field with identical cars.

“It is true test of driver skill and determination with the cars lapping three to four seconds quicker than Indy cars.

“And instead of racing for a manufacturer, sponsor or driver they race for their national flag.

“The cars use cutting-edge technology with Ferrari signed up to a six year deal to manufacture and supply all racing engines and consult on design and manufacturing.

“Top drivers from around the world compete with the famous Andretti family fielding a team which will next year include one of this year’s most popular drivers from the Indy Racing League - Danica Patrick

“I am sure the A1GP will be a terrific attraction for both ‘revheads’ and new fans to the world of motorsport.

“It will give a new lease of life to our event on-track with all the fun and excitement

off-track also set to continue.”

Minister for Sport Judy Spence said the Indy Carnival had undergone many incarnations in its 18 year history and this promised to be one of the most exciting.

“We have had Indy Cars, CART, Champ Cars and the Indy Racing League,” Ms Spence said.

“However the A1GP series is one of the newest and most exciting in the world.

“It is unfortunate that hurdles in relation to timing of events and funding could not be overcome with the owners of the Indy Racing League.

“They have an expanded series of events and our Indy clashes with the early part of the American Football season. Moving our race to March as they had requested was not an option due to the clash with the F1 Grand Prix in Melbourne and the Clipsal V8 race in Adelaide.

“In addition a March race would have involved track construction right in the middle of January school holidays and we would not tolerate Gold Coast residents being inconvenienced in that way.

“It is disappointing but we will certainly not lose anything with the addition of the A1s”.

Ms Spence said the addition of the A1GP series would once again showcase Gold Coast and Queensland to the world.

“The audience for A1GP continues to grow each year with the broadcast reaching more than 700 million household across the world during this year’s season,” she said.

“Television exposure equals tourism dollars and more international tourists to our shores.

“Our motor racing carnival generates around $60 million for our economy each year and in these tough times it provides a terrific boost for the local economy and community.”

Further information on the A1GP series is available at http://www.a1gp.com

November 11, 2008

Media Contact: Premier’s Office – 3224 4500