With just a few weeks to go until the Historic Leyburn Sprints on 20-21 August, organisers have promised another bumper festival of motoring attractions on and off the track
Up to 15,000 visitors are expected to pack Leyburn, a rural village 60 kms north-west of Warwick, to see more than 200 historic, classic and performance cars race against the clock on a 1.0 km temporary street course.
Six-time winner and record-holder Dean Amos is entered to return in his Gould-Judd racer after missing the 2021 event. He will be challenged by a group of rapid outright contenders led by 2021 winner and four-time champion Warwick Hutchinson.
The community-run Sprints keeps alive Leyburn’s heritage as host of the 1949 Australian Grand Prix, when 30,000 people watched John Crouch win over 35 laps in a French-built Delahaye.
Seventy-three years later, the highlight will be the spectacular round-the-houses competition featuring cars from 10 decades of motoring – but other attractions also will be on offer to ensure a fun-filled weekend for everyone from enthusiasts to families enjoying an inexpensive day out.
More than 100 sparkling road vehicles of all types will compete in the Shannons Show ‘n’ Shine competition, while around 30 vintage caravans will bring colourful memories of long-past holidays.
Market stalls, trade and merchandise stands, live music and plentiful country hospitality at community-run food and drink outlets will add to the fun.
Proceeds from the Historic Leyburn Sprints are used to benefit community organisations and projects. More than $1 million has been contributed since the event’s founding in 1996, while each year visitors and event expenditure inject an estimated $1.5 million into the Southern Darling Downs economy.
The Queensland Government’s Queensland Destination Events Program and the Southern Downs Regional Council provide financial assistance to help promote the Sprints and attract visitors to the Southern Downs region. The 2021 event also was proudly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Sprints committee President Tricia Chant said the new website (www.historicleyburnsprints.com.au), created by Toowoomba company Clevvi, answered growing demand from fans to be able to pre-purchase tickets and buy event merchandise all year round. Adult tickets are $25 per day or $35 for both days.
