August 16, 2024
Hundreds of keen competitors and thousands of happy campers are rolling into Leyburn today as this little Darling Downs town prepares to stage its 28th annual round-the-houses Sprints and 75th anniversary celebrations of the Leyburn Australian Grand Prix this weekend.
The Historic Leyburn Sprints has attracted a record 243 historic classic and performance cars for time trials over Saturday and Sunday. Up to 120 additional classic cars and vintage caravans are expected for off-track displays.
With almost no fixed accommodation existing, the event organisers and nearby landholders have provided around 900 campsites, ensuring Leyburn’s usual population of around 350 residents will be briefly multiplied many times.
“Leyburn is already buzzing as a lot of people arrive early to get their parties started. We’re set for a fantastic weekend celebrating Leyburn’s unique grand prix heritage,” Sprints President Tricia Chant said.
Today will be spent putting finishing touches to the 1.0 km Sprints course and welcoming competitors and checking their cars. Competitors will be welcomed this afternoon with a free barbecue and the cutting of a 75th AGP Anniversary cake, attended by a line-up of racing heroes including Dick Johnson and John Bowe and international stars Warwick Brown and Bruce Allison.
Competition starts at 8am tomorrow, when Lismore, NSW, driver Dean Amos and his Gould GR55B racer attempt to win a record ninth outright-fastest title.
