Community & Business
4 October, 2023
Sprints success a boost for Leyburn
This year’s Historic Leyburn Sprints saw ticket sales up 17 per cent on the previous year, contributing to a massive sum of over $35,000 that will be provided to local community groups.
Sprints president Tricia Chant delivered a report to the September meeting of the Condamine Community Alliance.
She said it was a very successful year, believed to be the biggest crowd yet.
Over 260 entrants were received, too much for the event’s capabilities, and there were 211 starters.
This year had the largest ever contingent of junior races at seven.
Mrs Chant said there was a great roll up of volunteers who helped make the event run on time.
In addition to local community groups, the over $35,000 figure raised will be shared with groups which helped out over the Sprints weekend, including the Wheatvale State School P&C, Greymare Hall Committee and Glennie Heights Scouts in Warwick.
She said further proceeds from the record profit this year will be donated to community groups and money set aside for next year’s event.
The record profit was helped by new merchandise this year which had already sold out by early afternoon on Saturday.
Looking towards the 2024 Leyburn Sprints, which will mark the 75th anniversary of the Australian Grand Prix at Leyburn, Mrs Chant and her husband Jamie have been working on having some famous racing identities there.
They are currently planning an arrangement where the racing identities will stay in Warwick and be bussed in and out of Leyburn, with several companies already interested in sponsoring.
Current plans are for the event to be held on 17 and 18 August.
