The 25th anniversary of the Historic Leyburn Sprints has been cancelled, with the celebrations moved to 2021 due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.

 

Despite there being some easing of gathering limits in different states, the Sprints’ organising committee was not able to guarantee it could run this year’s event in late August as planned.

 

With crowds of up to 15,000 expected to attend the 1949 Australian Grand Prix tribute, organisers were also hesitant in putting the small rural Queensland town at risk.

 

Event President Tricia Chant believed that while it was a hard decision to make, it was the right one.

 

“We were of course keen to run, because the event means so much to the small Leyburn community, but many organising commitments would have to be made now while the future is still too uncertain,” Chant said.

 

“We wanted to ensure, also, that our little community stayed safe during these times. We know that Australia will be in a much better position to cope with this virus in 12 months’ time.

 

“There’s no point in running the Sprints if we can’t accommodate a good roll-up of competitors and spectators, who often come from interstate or elsewhere in regional Queensland.

 

“We also would not be able to do justice to our planned 25th anniversary celebrations. We’d rather hold these over to 2021 and ensure they’re the memorable occasion they deserve to be.”

 

A new date for the 2021 Historic Leyburn Sprints will be announced shortly.