The 17th running of the Lexmark Indy 300 on the streets of Surfers Paradise could provide the backdrop to a moment of history as Sebastien Bourdais chases a fourth straight Champ Car World Series title, but contains enough intrigue to overcome the Frenchman's relatively easy task.

While Bourdais needs only twelfth place in Sunday's race to confirm his crown, the race continues to seek its first repeat winner, with five drivers in the field able to break that run - the longest in Champ Car - and provides a handful of other storylines.

Surfers remains the only venue on the Champ Car Schedule – other than new events - without a repeat winner, but Bourdais will join Paul Tracy, Mario Dominguez, Bruno Junqueira and Nelson Philippe in trying to end that streak. The three-time champion, however, will have one eye on the bigger picture, as he sits on the verge of making even more impressive history. Unless he fails to start, or puts in an unlikely poor performance, the Frenchman will claim an unprecedented fourth consecutive Champ Car title, as he lies 58 points ahead of his nearest rival with just the Australian and Mexican rounds to run.

“Obviously the McDonald's team has had some great races and not so great races in Surfers Paradise - we've won once, but last year was a bit of a disaster, a bit of a shame. But, historically, we've been very fast as a team and I've been feeling good there, so we're looking for a nice weekend again under the Surfers Paradise sunshine.”

With Bourdais almost guaranteed to clinch the crown this weekend, attention shifts to second place in the standings. Justin Wilson made a big move with his win in the last race at Assen, putting himself ahead of Robert Doornbos by five points, and the Briton has unfinished business 'down under' after breaking his wrist in practice for last year's event.

“Surfers is a very challenging track and it always produces some interesting racing," Wilson said, "I hope that we can have a good weekend and make up for the disappointment from last year. My wrist has fully healed now and I have been told there will not be any tyres on the apex of the corners!”

After an impressive start to his rookie season, which saw him score two victories and four other podium finishes in a nine-race span, Minardi Team USA driver Doornbos has been struggling for form in recent rounds.

“I can't wait to get back to my office and go racing on the other side of the world!" the Dutchman said, "From what I've seen on video footage, it looks like a very challenging circuit, with no room for error, but it should be fun. There was a big gap between races, which is difficult for teams and drivers, but I feel 110 per cent ready for the final stint of this year's championship.”

Also in the thick of the battle for second place - which will unofficially position the successful driver as 'favourite' to win the 2008 championship as Bourdais leaves for Formula One - is hometown hero Will Power. The popular Aussie sits only 15 points behind Wilson, despite running out of fuel on the final lap at Assen, and scored his first career pole position in Australia last season. He would like nothing more than to follow it up with a win this weekend.