In 1949, Leyburn like every small country town in Australia was rebuilding after World War II. Hosting the Australian Grand Prix – the nation’s most important motor race – on an ex-wartime aerodrome just outside town provided a highlight for people throughout the Darling Downs region and beyond.
Race day on 18 September 1949 was an amazing occasion when 30,000 people descended on the tiny, but welcoming community. The grand prix never returned after 1949 and so neither did the record crowd, but its modern-day successor, the Historic Leyburn Sprints, is doing a grand job of keeping the memory alive.
Seventy-six years later, as the grand prix continues in Melbourne as a highlight in the Formula One calendar, the Sprints is preparing for its 29th edition as a tribute to its own moment in history, to be staged on 23-24 August.
While some way off the 1949 crowd, the 2024 Sprints attendance of 18,000 people set its own record and confirmed it as the biggest annual Queensland motorsport event after V8 Supercars and one of the biggest historic racing events in Australia. It was named Queensland Motorsport Event of the Year, an accolade won also in 2017.
This year organisers expect to welcome a record 250 competing cars, encompassing all types of single-seaters, sports cars and tin-tops from a 100-year Austin to a 2024 McLaren supercar.
“Every year we get more and more entry applications and this year’s list is bulging with fabulous machinery of astonishing variety. Patrons will see everything from Fords to Ferraris, Aston Martins to Vipers and almost everything in between, all competing against the clock on our 1.0 kilometre track on the closed streets of the town,” said Sprints President Tricia Chant.
“Adding to the two days of action on-track is the fact spectators are able to wander freely among the cars and drivers when they’re not competing and enjoy a very special and friendly experience. Children especially love seeing up-close cars they might never see anywhere else.”
Easy-going access is part of the Sprints special grassroots country atmosphere, which also provides many other activities and attractions to entertain the whole family.
When not watching the cars on-track from the spectating areas or on two video superscreens, visitors can enjoy refreshments from volunteer-run food outlets around the course or the 1863 Royal Hotel and Leyburn RSL. There are market stalls, fascinating displays at the new Vintage Van Village and Show ‘n’ Shine, a charity auction, fun-run, helicopter and race-car rides, special car displays, autograph sessions with famous drivers and plenty of other fun.
The Sprints prides itself on providing an inexpensive day out. Adult ticket prices are $30 per day or $40 for the weekend, while accompanied children under 14 enter free. Street parking is free and food and drink prices are set at affordable levels.
“It’s all about giving our visitors a wonderful day out, whether they’re diehard car fans or a family looking for a bit of fun that won’t break the bank,” Mrs Chant says.
Tickets can be bought at the gate, or on-line to save queuing on the day. And fans who want even more motorsport can enter the Sprints’ on-line raffle to win a Gold Coast 500 Supercars weekend for two, including VIP champagne hospitality tickets and four nights’ accommodation, or five runner-up prizes of $500 Supercheap Auto vouchers. Buy raffle tickets at www.raffletix.com.au/leyburnboostraffle2025.
