More than 220 cars representing 10 decades of motoring will chase fastest times in 60 classes on Leyburn’s 1.0km public-street course.
“We’re all ready to go and planning for a bumper event,” said Leyburn Sprints President Tricia Chant, who will literally be part of the event as she competes over the weekend at the wheel of her own ’68 model Ford Mustang.
“The forecast is for warm, dry weather and the track is in great condition so we’re expecting some fast times and maybe some records. Whatever happens, it will be a great show with everything from a Ferrari to 1920s Austins to classic single-seaters having a red-hot go.
“The atmosphere will be fantastic throughout the weekend. With only about 350 residents in the town area there is unsurprisingly very little accommodation, so we’ll have three or four thousand campers all having a great time. Our camp sites are sold out and people will even be camping in residents' front yards.
Away from the track, the attractions include a vintage caravan display, Shannons Show ‘n’ Shine competition, markets, a fun run, charity auction and other attractions, including a guest appearance by Colin Bond.
“It’s that atmosphere, the camaraderie and of course the exciting motorsport," Chant said, "tied up with Leyburn’s history as host of the 1949 Australian Grand Prix, that make this event so special.”
The ’49 AGP attracted some 30,000 people to the ex-wartime airfield circuit. That event was the inspiration for local farmer and racer, the late Mike Collins, to found the Leyburn Sprints in 1996.
“Leyburn is a small village on the western edge of the Southern Down and not many people might know about it if it didn’t host Queensland’s biggest historic motorsport festival of the year,” said Tricia Chant.
Adult spectator tickets can be purchased on-line or at the gate for $25 a day or $35 for the weekend. Children under 14 are admitted free. The Sprints will be live streamed on the event website www.historicleyburnsprints.com.au.
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