American IndyCar motor racing officials have been accused trying to hold Australia to ransom by threatening to turn their back on the Gold Coast.
V8 Supercars boss Tony Cochrane is urging the US Indy bosses to sign a long-term deal to retain the Gold Coast IndyCar race instead of trying to force the Queensland Government and local organisers into a date change.
Instead of the traditional late October timeslot, the Americans want the race switched to late September or early October which would put the event head-to-head with the AFL or NRL grand finals.
Australia has hosted the IndyCar race for the past 17 years and Cochrane, whose V8s share the bill with the IndyCars at the Gold Coast, has accused the Americans of a complete lack of respect.
Negotiations between the government and US Indy officials are continuing with a decision on the race's future expected within a fortnight.
