The 2009 Nitro SuperGP, to be held on the streets of Surfers Paradise in Queensland over October 22-25, has been confirmed as the host of the 2009/2010 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport season-opener.

A1GP joins the Australian V8 Supercars Championship Series as the co-headline act of the four-day event, which is enjoying its 19th consecutive year in 2009.

The worlds premiere motorsport festival, the Nitro SuperGP will be the first in a proposed 10 round calendar for the international series, which sees over 20 nations compete for ultimate championship glory in races held across the world.

Nitro SuperGP General Manager Greg Hooton said he was excited for the Gold Coast to host the season-opener of the fifth year of the burgeoning series.

“It is fantastic for the Nitro SuperGP to be the first event of the 2009/2010 A1GP season, and everyone here is looking forward to hosting the World Cup of Motorsport on the Gold Coast,” said Hooton.

“A1GP will join the Australian V8 Supercars Championship Series as the co-headline act of our four-day, four-night motorsport festival which will now be able to bring a truly international flavour to the Gold Coast streets.

“Things are building nicely as we approach the 100 day countdown mark (July 14) and the start of circuit construction in August.”

A1GP Chairman Tony Teixeira spoke earlier today on the overall season five schedule, with the Australian race one of two from the proposed 10 date calendar that has been formally announced to date.

“A1GP World Cup of Motorsport is very excited to be heading to the streets of Surfers Paradise for the first time in 2009,” said Teixeira.

“The Nitro SuperGP has 18 years of great history behind it and we couldn’t think of a better way to kick off our 2009/2010 season than with the sun, sand and surf of the Gold Coast.

“As far as the remainder of the season goes, we are in a totally different position to most series as we straddle two calendar years and this makes announcing a calendar with all its dates and venues more challenging.

“However, we are well advanced with all our Season Five contracts, and for those we have yet to make public have plans to announce them with events in the specific countries.

“Our plans include some very exciting new venues that I can assure the teams and the fans will be very popular and while at the moment we have submitted a ten race calendar (to the World Council of Motorsport), I am hopeful of adding one or two more dates in the coming months.”

The 2009 Nitro SuperGP, October 22-25, will also host Event 11 of the Australian V8 Supercar Championshp Series and is produced through a partnership between the Queensland Government and IMG – tickets for this year’s event are on sale now through Ticketek on 1300 303 103.

For all the latest ticket information click here. From a one day General Admission ticket to a 4 day Platinum Grandstand seat, the Nitro SuperGP has ticket options to suit every style and pocket. One day General Admission tickets start from just $35 and Four Day passes start from $180. Children 12 and under are free to enter the event. See SuperGP.com for all ticketing information, terms and conditions and prices.