At a time when everyone is focussing on Singapore, and to a lesser extent Melbourne, hosting the first ever night time Grand Prix, it has emerged that a purpose built race track - complete with floodlighting - is to be built in Queensland on Australia's Gold coast.

Ron Brown, managing director of the Gold Coast project, told the Herald Sun: "This circuit will be floodlit right from the start, so it would comply with what F1 and Bernie Ecclestone have been talking about in Melbourne with the possibility of an Australian Grand Prix run under lights."

Speaking ahead of last month's Australian Grand Prix, at a time when the concept of a night race was gathering momentum, Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) boss Ron walker admitted that Melbourne was looking into the idea.

"We are looking at it," he admitted, "and when Bernie gets here, we'll talk to him about it again. He hasn't said to me that we have to do it. It's an option."

Now, with the possibility of a purpose built track in Queensland, not to mention growing hostility towards the Melbourne event as it demands more and more (local) government funding, Walker appreciates the threat posed on the Gold Coast.

"Nothing is secure in life," he said. "If Mr Ecclestone decides that Queensland is a better place to host a Formula One race, then that's where it will go.

"But it's a matter for Premier Bracks to talk to Premier Beattie, I'm sure they'll work out something," he added, referring to the fact that if Melbourne want to retain the Grand Prix and hold it at night, it will need major political backing.