The annual Historic Leyburn Sprints returns this weekend with thousands of people expected to attend the regional Queensland town for the popular event.
 
Celebrating the 1949 Australian Grand Prix held in Leyburn, the event will see hundreds of competitors across 59 classes tackle the clock in a bid to post the fastest time around the town’s street circuit.
 
Every type of car will be on show throughout the weekend, ranging from historic, classic and performance open-wheel, sports and closed cars, with almost 100 years separating the event’s oldest and newest cars.
 
Competitors will get seven runs at the course across Saturday and Sunday with the winner to be presented the coveted Col Furness Memorial Trophy.
 
There are many notable competitors entered this year, including Matthew Devitt and Barry Smith, who are the only surviving drivers to have contested the event since its inception in 1996, Neil Lewis, who will be driving the 1964 Ford Cortina, the only car to have run in every single event and Dean Amos, who has won the event an impressive six times.
 
Like many drivers, Amos was unable to attend the event in the past two years due to border restrictions, however the 2022 Motorsport Australia Hill Climb Championship favourite Dean Amos was keen to steer his British-built Gould GR55B-Judd racer to another victory.
 

“I haven’t been able to attend Leyburn since 2019. I can’t wait to get back there – the atmosphere is fantastic,” Amos said.
 
“We’ll be camped on the road verge in Warwick Street where people can come along and view the car, then when it’s our turn on track I’ll go out and give it a real crack – I won’t be able to help myself.”
 
In addition to the racing itself, there will plenty of other entertainment options for fans, including many cars on display.
 
The biggest attraction for car enthusiasts though will undoubtedly be the 1916 Studebaker Six of Gavin Mutton and the 1912 Willys Overland of Graham Crittenden – this weekend marking the first time the cars have been seen in public together in more than 100 years.
 
Another major highlight for the event will be the Royal Hotel, which will be the centre of celebrations and add to the town’s spectacular atmosphere with live music every night.
 
Sprints President Tricia Chant was excited to get the event back to its full capacity after an interrupted two years.
 
“Everyone is busting to get back. We have a capacity entry list of wonderful cars, many other great attractions and the weather is promising to be warm and dry,” Chant said.
 
“It will be a great weekend in the county celebrating Leyburn’s unique motorsport heritage.”
 
Click here for more information on the event.
 
The 26th edition of the Historic Leyburn Sprints take place in Leyburn, Queensland on 20-21 August 2022