The Historic Leyburn Sprints, one of Queensland’s biggest annual motorsport festivals, will celebrate its 30th anniversary at the 2026 event on 15-16 August.

Moving it forward one week from its previously-advertised slot, the change will avoid a clash with the Queensland round of the Supercars Championship in Ipswich.

The Sprints, which attracted more than 300 vehicles and around 18,000 people this year, commemorates the running of the 1949 Australian Grand Prix on an ex-wartime airfield near the little Darling Downs town.

It has previously been judged Queensland Motor Sport Event of the Year in 2024 and 2017.

“The 30th anniversary is planned to be a big one for us and our team has a lot of work to do,” Sprints President Tricia Chant said.

“We have some very exciting news to share with everyone soon on what we have planned to celebrate our 30th, including a special evening on Thursday, 13 August – one not to miss.

“We’re going to put a positive spin on this and use it to create more excitement for our event.”

The highlight of the Historic Leyburn Sprints is its time trials for around 250 historic, classic and performance cars ranging in vintage from the 1920s to modern-day.

Most recently, Australian Hillclimb Champion Dean Amos scored his 10th outright trophy at this year’s event.

Regular attractions off-track include a Show ‘n’ Shine competition, vintage caravan display, VIP appearances by well-known former drivers, a Motorsport Alley display of rare cars, charity auction, fun run and live entertainment.

The Historic Leyburn Sprints is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and the Southern Downs Regional Council, which provide financial assistance to help promote the Sprints and attract visitors to the Southern Downs region.

Proceeds from the community-run event assist local organisations and projects through the Historic Leyburn Sprints Community Benefit Fund.