Sport
15 July, 2024
Leyburn to celebrate 75th anniversary of historic day
In 1949, Leyburn, like every small country town in Australia, was rebuilding after World War II and the opportunity to host the Australian Grand Prix - the nation’s most important motor race - on a nearby ex-wartime aerodrome provided a highlight for people throughout the Darling Downs region.
Race day on 18 September 1949 still stands as the most populated time in Leyburn’s history and those who attend this year’s 28th annual historic sprints will appreciate what an amazing occasion it was when 30,000 people descended on a community so small but so welcoming.
The Australian Grand Prix, will be remembered with major celebrations at the Historic Leyburn Sprints on 17-18 August 2024.
While the 1949 grand prix fielded 28 cars, the 2024 Sprints will feature around 220 on track, ranging from a petite 1925 Austin 7, to Australian backyard specials, muscle cars, a replica Le Mans Ferrari and even a 350 km/h Indianapolis 500 contender.
Off track, an entertaining line-up of attractions will also highlight the grand prix anniversary.
Forty-seven years later, in 1996, the round-the houses Sprints were founded to commemorate the biggest day in Leyburn’s history.
At the 28th running this year, they will feature special guests from the racing world, original 1949 grand prix cars, a competition class for junior drivers and other activities to mark the anniversary.
These will include show and shine and vintage caravan displays, a charity auction with motor sport memorabilia, fun run, markets, autograph sessions, trade exhibits, live music, hot-lap rides and a competitors’ welcome party.
It will be an opportunity for visitors also to explore the history of Leyburn itself, which was the thriving centre of an 1860s gold rush.
Buildings and landmarks from those days remain, including the 1863-licensed Royal Hotel, which will be the lively entertainment hub of the Sprints weekend.
The site of the former Golden Fleece Hotel, long-gone except for a few buried bricks, this year will become a new spectator point and licensed bar at turn one.
During World War II, the skies over Leyburn shook to the sound of B-24 Liberty heavy bombers flying incursion missions to south-east Asia from the nearby secret airbase that became the grand prix circuit.
Visitors to the locality about 4.5 kilometres from town, along Delahaye Drive, Liberator Place and Wirraway Avenue, can see monuments to the RAAF 200 Special Duties Flight and Z Special Unit, as well as to the grand prix.
The Sprints are a unique combination of historic and classic motor sport, local history and welcoming country atmosphere, says organising committee President Tricia Chant.
“There’s nothing else like the Historic Leyburn Sprints,” she said.
“It’s one of Queensland’s biggest motor sports events after Supercars and no other former grand prix venue actively celebrates its heritage like Leyburn does every year.”
Tickets and campsites can be purchased online.
Organisers are running the Historic Leyburn Sprints 75th AGP Anniversary Raffle, with the main prize an $11,000 Repco Bathurst 1000 weekend for two and five runner-up prizes of $500 Supercheap Auto vouchers.
Raffle tickets are available only on-line and the prizes will be drawn on the final afternoon of the Sprints.
Competition starts at 8am on Saturday and Sunday.
Adult tickets are available on-line or at the gate for $25 a day or $35 for the weekend, with children under 14 free.
On-street parking is free.
