Community & Business
15 August, 2024
Historic Leyburn Sprints this weeken
The 28th Historic Leyburn Sprints, the 75th anniversary of its first staging, hits the streets of Leyburn this weekend.
It is expected to be the biggest local event since the Grand Prix of 18 September 1949.
Leyburn’s history dating back to the mid-19th century will be the background to a packed weekend featuring time-trials for competitors in 64 classes and the contest for outright fastest time among a handful of Australia’s fastest Sprint-course cars.
The biggest weekend in Sprints history will feature more than 240 historic, classic and performance cars competing on a 1.0 kilometre, closed-street track that starts near the front door of the 1863-licensed Royal Hotel.
Around 80 more cars are expected for a Show ‘n’ Shine display on Sunday and up to 30 vintage caravans will add to the interest and colour.
Up to four surviving cars from the 1949 race will be on display, while fans will be able to meet GP drivers from later eras - 1977 winner Warwick Brown, plus Bruce Allison, John Bowe and Charlie O’Brien - along with touring car identities Dick Johnson, Ron Harrop and Brian Gelding.
Competition starts at 8am on Saturday and Sunday.
