Australian night race - you must be joking

[Wizzo]

Australian officials have again denied speculation that plans are already being made for formula one night racing in Melbourne.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone recently warned that flood-lighting the Albert Park track next year might be the only way the country could extend its grand prix contract beyond 2010, and it now emerges that the state government has set aside an additional $16.6 million for its tourism budget for 2007-8.

But tourism minister Tim Holding is quoted as saying by the news agency AAP: "This has got absolutely nothing to do with a night grand prix."

Victorian premier Steve Bracks also rubbished the rumours, telling reporters: "They have to be joking.

"There's no proposals that have been developed for a night grand prix and therefore nothing has been expended, spent or developed."