Close to two dozen women played an integral part in last month’s Historic Leyburn Sprints, assisting one of the country’s largest motorsport events to celebrate its 29th year running.

The annual sprints event held on the Southern Darling Downs in Queensland, welcomed 22 additional and new female officials, including 12 from the Women and Girls Officiating in Motorsport Program sponsored by the Queensland Government through a grant received in 2024 and supported by the Historic Leyburn Sprints.

Each official served the event undertaking regular officiating roles, taking on responsibilities such as event administration, scrutineers, stewards and timekeepers.

New official and Toowoomba resident Velvet Jones undertook scrutineering on the Friday before assisting at the flag point over the subsequent two days.

“It was absolutely fantastic. I wouldn’t have thought about it if I hadn’t done the previous training workshop at the Gold Coast,” Jones said.

“My goal now is to expand my experience enough so I can travel around Australia in my motorhome and offer my services to events around the country.”

The Queensland Motor Racing Officials Association also stated 47 per cent of the main volunteer officials cohort was female, marking a major milestone for Queensland’s motorsport community.

Motorsport Australia continues to promote and facilitate its programs encouraging female participation in motorsport, including FIA Girls on Track and Women’s Introduction to Motorsport.

Brisbane resident and official Gzing Saadi worked on the start line helping to flag away the cars.

“It was a very personable experience because I was able to talk to a lot of the drivers on the start line. I absolutely enjoyed it,” Saadi mentioned.

“I want to work in Formula One as an engineer. I’m now doing aviation engineering and this experience will be vital in my own career path as I continue to gain an appreciation for motorsport and engineering as a whole.”

For Queensland-based residents, please feel free to contact the Queensland Motor Racing Officials Association or head to the Motorsport Australia officials page to find out how to get involved in officiating at motorsport events.

Amos reigns supreme with historic 10th outright win at Historic Leyburn Sprints

The two-time Motorsport Australia Hill Climb Champion set a best lap of 40.163 seconds on Sunday morning in his fourth of seven runs around Leyburn’s 1km closed-street course.

Warwick Hutchinson finished 2.5 seconds behind in an OMS 28 and Ross Mackay came third, a further 1.5 seconds back in a Macspec 24.

The Sprints attracted a record 250 cars, ranging in vintage from 1924 to 2024, while Sprints President Tricia Chant estimated final attendance figures for the weekend could come close to matching last year’s record 18,000, which celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Leyburn Australian Grand Prix. Up to 5,000 people camped around the event precinct and in residents’ yards.

Chant said the event had been another great success, with attractions including appearances by six famous former racing champions – Dick Johnson, Warwick Brown, Bruce Allison, Kevin Bartlett, Charlie O’Brien and Bap Romano – the return of the 1949 grand prix trophy after two decades, three original cars from the 1949 race, a display of exotic racing cars in Motorsport Alley, Shannons Show ‘n’ Shine featuring 87 cars and the colourful new Vintage Van Village.

“Our visitors enjoyed glorious Queensland winter weather and a feast of grassroots motorsport with an amazing variety of cars, plus some other wonderful attractions, Chant said.

“I spoke to some newcomers who were amazed at what this little town turns on – the size of the event and the atmosphere are unmatched.”

Renowned for its camaraderie among regular competitors, the weekend opened with a heart-warming presentation of a specially-decorated cake to the Sprints’ oldest driver, 85-year-old Justin McCarthy, alongside his 100-year-old Austin Seven Sports named Alfred.

McCarthy – who started racing only at age 75 – and his tiny Austin customarily are the slowest combination on track, but this year the “honour” went to Sydney visitor Brian Chisholm and his 1924 Amilcar, who clocked a lap more than a minute slower than outright winner Dean Amos.

Explaining a long-term shortage of special Italian Pirelli tyres experienced by the leading drivers, Amos said he had tried his hardest in winning the Col Furness Memorial Trophy in his Gould GR55B open-wheel car.

“I drove as hard as I could – I don’t come here to finish second,” Amos said.

“The car was nice this weekend and I was happy with my time. But the tyres are at least three years old and I’ve already done two Australian Championships on them. If I’d had better tyres I would have had a crack at the record, for sure.”

Next year will be the 30th edition of the Historic Leyburn Sprints.