June 10, 2024
The 28th Historic Leyburn Sprints on 17-18 August will mark a very special occasion, the 75th anniversary of Leyburn hosting the Australian Grand Prix, and we're planning some unmissable celebrations. Book your tickets now – and while you’re online enter our 75th Anniversary Raffle to win a Bathurst 1000 weekend for two or $500 worth of Supercheap Auto vouchers.
Isn’t it amazing to think the annual Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix extravaganza in Melbourne is a direct descendant of our own Grand Prix on 18 September 1949? On that occasion an estimated 30,000 spectators rolled up to a track laid out on an ex-wartime airfield just outside the little town of Leyburn.
The track has disappeared under the weeds, but since 1996 the annual Historic Leyburn Sprints has commemorated that day and we’ve grown into Queensland’s biggest grassroots motorsport event and one of Australia’s most popular historic meetings.
We’re excited that some of the cars from 1949 are still healthy, hearty and racing hard around the country and that several will be returning to our Grand Prix Heritage Festival to give you a first-hand experience of Australian motorsport history.
Plus there’s always plenty else to fill your family weekend at the Historic Leyburn Sprints. See up to 220 historic, classic and performance cars race the clock around the closed streets of Leyburn and dozens more fabulous vehicles in the Show ‘n’ Shine and Vintage Caravan displays.
Trackside viewing is excellent, with several free grandstands, food stalls, two licensed bars (plus the Royal Hotel Leyburn and the Leyburn RSL), expert commentary and live streaming of all the action on a giant video screen. Enjoy a beverage at the 1863-licensed Royal Hotel, where uniquely the racing cars line up in front of the bar to await their timed runs.
And as much as you go to see the historic cars, take time to soak up the history in Leyburn itself, from goldrush landmarks to mementoes of Leyburn’s secret wartime role at the local RSL.
Much, much more is in store at the friendliest event in motorsport. We’ll see you here!
