Motorsport: Dane - essential we stay in Townsville, Gold Coast

Roland Dane looks on during the warm up session for the Sandown 500. Photo / Getty Images

Supercars heavy-hitter Roland Dane says the sport's most successful team could be forced to move south if Queensland loses its showpiece races.

The state government and Supercars are in a funding dispute which will have major implications for the future of the sport in Queensland.

The Gold Coast and Townsville races do not have contracts beyond this year and the Ipswich council has entered into negotiations with Supercars directly for its event.

Supercars has requested the same level of funding it received from the government for the current three-year contract which expires after the Gold Coast 600 in October.

Negotiations started early last year with Tourism and Events Queensland baulking at the submission and proposing a funding cut of nearly 25 per cent for the two races.

At the peak of its popularity when IndyCar was involved, the government pumped $12 million into the Gold Coast race, which now receives about $4 million-a-year.

The temporary Surfers Paradise street circuit and precinct costs $10 million to erect and dismantle while the Townsville event costs more than $6 million.

With Townsville's economy struggling, Supercars officials believe the events cannot feasibly run with the funding proposed by TEQ.

It would be a bold call for the government to not come to the party given the three events pump up to $90 million into the state's economy.

If Queensland was to be shunned, it would also see some of the category's top teams move interstate.

Brisbane-based Triple Eight Race Engineering has been the most successful team of the past decade, helping Jamie Whincup to six championship wins.

"It's absolutely paramount we keep these races," said Triple Eight boss Dane.

"We will not only be bitterly disappointed if we don't run at Townsville and the Gold Coast but it will also have serious implications for our businesses.

"There's no question (we would move), if only because of the logistics.

"If you're coming in and starting from scratch, you're not going to put yourself in south east Queensland.

"Will it happen tomorrow? No, but it will happen.

"There'll be gravitation to the south and temptation to set up in western Sydney and Adelaide where both state governments have made it clear they'd welcome us with open arms."

TEQ spokeswoman Megan Saunders said taxpayers' money had to be invested wisely.

"A substantial offer is on the table and we look forward to the discussions continuing," she said.

"Our objective is to get the most effective outcomes for taxpayers' investment.

"TEQ recognises the importance of the Gold Coast and Townsville as tourism and events destinations and we remain committed to delivering the best events for the community.

"Our focus is on driving more visitors to the state to deliver direct economic and community benefits for Townsville.

"It is important as events become more mature and commercially attractive that taxpayers investment is aligned accordingly."

Dane said it was particularly important for the Townsville event to continue to help boost the region's battling economy.