A 105,000-strong Sunday crowd watched in awe as 750-horsepower Champ Cars and 620-horsepower V8 Supercars raced through the streets of the Gold Coast for the 15th annual Lexmark Indy 300 in glorious Queensland coastal conditions.

Over the four days of the Lexmark Indy 300, a record 316,459 patrons filed through the gates in another history-making event for Queensland. Today Sebastien Bourdais became the 15th different winner of the Champ Car race on the Gold Coast as well as securing his second consecutive Vanderbilt Cup for the Champ Car World Series title winner.

Co-headlining the program was the Gillette V8 Supercar Challenge won by Ford star Craig Lowndes. For the first time, two 100km races were held on the Sunday with the 57-lap Champ Car race right in the middle.

Adding to the entertainment extravaganza was a spectacular F1-11 dump’n burn by the Australian Defence Force, a performance by band ‘The Presidents of the United States of America’, the Australian and US National Anthems by Ricki-Lee, ‘Waltzing Matilda’ sung by Adam Brand, parade laps by all 32 Gillette V8 Supercar Challenge drivers and 19 Champ Car drivers, the VB Challenge, CAPA Stunt Bikes and the final race of the Wright Patton Shakespeare Carrera Cup taken out by Kiwi young gun Fabian Coulthard.

More than any other year in Lexmark Indy 300 history, Aussie parochialism took charge. More than 20,000 green and gold flags were around the circuit, 1000 green and gold balloons were released into the sky, people were decked out or painted in green and gold, and Team Australia cars attracted huge support.

This year Team Australia became the first full-time Australian outfit in the Champ Car World Series, and two of its three drivers Marcus Marshall from the Gold Coast and Will Power from Toowoomba raced around the 4.47km street circuit for the first time in a Champ Car.

However it was their more experienced team mate Alex Tagliani from Canada who led the team home in fourth place, just missing the podium which comprised Bourdais (Newman / Haas Racing), and US duo Jimmy Vasser (PKV Racing) and A.J Allmendinger (RuSPORT).

Also driving a green-and-gold Team Australia car was V8 Supercar driver David Besnard who unfortunately encountered some racing dramas to finish 21st for the round.

Overall Lowndes (Team Betta Electrical) was the victor of the Gillette V8 Supercar Challenge with Greg Murphy (Super Cheap Auto Racing) second and Mark Skaife (Holden Racing Team) third. Organisers hailed the 2005 Lexmark Indy 300 a resounding success with a fabulous entertainment program, 11 hours of live television on Network 10, exciting racing and jubilant fans numbering 56,786 on Thursday, 64,111 on Friday, 90,265 on Saturday and 105,297 today for an overall total of 316,459.

“What a magnificent event to celebrate our 15th anniversary,” said Lexmark Indy 300 General Manager James O’Brien.

“Queensland was showcased in its finest form to the world this weekend. Great weather and glowing fans enjoying a sensational package of motor racing and entertainment.

“I congratulate both Sebastien Bourdais and Craig Lowndes for their winning efforts today. Once again we have new winners on the streets of the Gold Coast, and the occasion was made even more special as Bourdais secured his second championship through his win today.

“The efforts of Team Australia have left a permanent mark on the Lexmark Indy 300 and we look forward to the team continuing to develop as a motor racing force in the years to come.

“Now it’s time to reflect on a successful Lexmark Indy 300 and move forward as we start planning for an even bigger event next year.”

The 16th Lexmark Indy 300 will be held on the Gold Coast from October 19 to 22.