More than 200 historic, classic and high-performance cars representing 10 decades of Australian motorsport are expected to line up for the 17th annual “around the houses” Leyburn Sprints on the Queensland Darling Downs in August.
Entries have opened for the August 18-19 event and will close on July 20. The sprints, one of Australia’s longest-running historic racing weekends, will see cars compete against the clock around a 1.1 kilometre closed-street course in the former gold-mining town.
Other attractions will include a Shannon’s Show and Shine display on Sunday, with trophies to be awarded in 14 categories, plus market stalls and motorsport souvenirs, celebrity driver appearances and plenty of country-style food and drink.
Hundreds of competitors and spectators are expected to camp in residents’ front yards or the town camping ground and on Saturday night pack the only pub, the 1863 Royal Hotel, adding a party atmosphere to the weekend.
Adult spectator tickets to the sprints will cost $15 on each day or $25 for a weekend pass. The ticket price includes entry for Shannon’s Show and Shine competitors. Children under 14 will be admitted free.
Competition starts at 8am each day. With each car likely to complete up to seven timed runs, depending on weather conditions and other factors, drivers and spectators are assured of an action-packed weekend.
The sprints commemorate the running of the 1949 Australian Grand Prix on a nearby former wartime airstrip. John Crouch, driving a 3.6 litre Delahaye, won the race in front of 30,000 spectators lining the 6.9 kilometre course.
Cars competing in the sprints come from much earlier eras – as far back as the 1920s – and up to modern-day models.
The coveted outright trophy was won in 2011 by Leyburn first-timer Warwick Hutchinson, who set a time of 47.65 seconds in a Van Diemen RF92 single-seater.
The fastest historic entry, a 1980 Tiga sports car, covered the course in 52.79 seconds, driven by Keith Carling. The oldest car, Andrew Wilson’s 1926 Amilcar, set a time of 58.86 seconds.
“This year’s event will be a chance for spectators to see cars they have never seen before and to see again cars they remember from yesteryear,” race director Mike Collins said.
“Best of all for spectators, the cars are very accessible in the competitors’ paddock for a close-up look.”
Proceeds from the not-for-profit event benefit local community organisations and projects. Ovarian Cancer Australia will be the official charity.
Competitor entry forms and regulations are available to download from the event website at www.leyburnmotorsprints.com.au.
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