OPEN-wheeler IndyCars may once again be racing around the streets of Surfers Paradise — maybe as soon as next year — if secret government talks are successful.

A private consortium is negotiating with Tourism and Events Queensland to bring the US version of Formula 1 back to the Gold Coast streets during an annual weeklong motorsports extravaganza.

This “back to the future” move was revealed yesterday as Supercars announced their cars will be on the streets of Surfers Paradise until 2019 under a deal brokered with the Queensland Government.

Despite seeming at an impasse earlier in the week, Major Events Minister Kate Jones and V8 Supercars boss James Warburton smiled for the cameras in Broadbeach today to jointly announce they had brokered a new three-year deal to keep the GC600 going until 2019.

Neither side would reveal commercial details of the arrangement which includes the V8 Supercars events coming to Townsville for the next three years as well.

The Bulletin has seen documents giving a Coast-based consortium the right to negotiate for an IndyCar race in Australia.

Between 1991 and 2008 the annual IndyCar event in Surfers Paradise attracted 4,805,761 fans, with an average attendance of 252,000 bringing an estimated economic return of more than $761 million.

A consortium spokesman said it had the chance to stage an IndyCar race in Australia.

“Our preference is the Gold Coast,” he said.

“There are ongoing commercial negotiations with the Government.

“We are talking to TEQ and the US-based IndyCars.”

media_camera Tourism and Major Events Minister Kate Jones today will announce that the V8 Supercars will remain on the Gold Coast. Pictures: Jack Tran

The spokesman said they wanted to return to the glitz and glitter of the original Indy festivals.

“We want to lift the image, we want to bring the high heels, a sophistication to the city to leverage off the Commonwealth Games,” he said.

To add to the glamour, the consortium is angling for IndyCar champion Will Power to drive in his home state and for young rookie Matt Brabham to race in his home town.

Today, after weeks of speculation that the Gold Coast 600 was finished, Supercars, which in April changed its name from V8 Supercars, will be given a government green light to continue for another three years.

Negotiations had stalled after TEQ had refused to present a new deal which reflected the growth in the event, putting serious doubt on the future of the Coast and Townsville races.

media_camera Matt Brabham at the Indianapolis 500. Picture: Chris Jones-IMS/IndyCar Photo

Tourism and Major Events Minister Kate Jones hailed the news as “a great win for the Gold Coast”.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Supercars CEO James Warburton this morning confirmed an agreement to continue the Gold Coast and Townsville events until 2019.

“This is a great win for the Gold Coast and Townsville,” the Premier said.

“Securing these events for the Gold Coast and Townsville will deliver around 200,000 visitor nights and $80 million in economic benefit each year.

“We recognise the importance of the Gold Coast and Townsville as leading tourism and events destinations and are committed to delivering the best events for the community.”

The Coast IndyCar consortium acknowledged it would need support from Supercars to stage a week-long event.

“All our concern at the moment is on securing the approval through government to hold the event with IndyCars as the major attraction — 2017 is a possibility, 2018 is more than possible,” the consortium spokesman said.

Supercars CEO James Warburton last night was “delighted” after securing both the Coast and Townsville events.

Mayor Tom Tate described the announcement as a “fantastic day for our city.”

“Gentlemen, start your engines for 2017 and beyond,” Cr Tate said.