MEDIA RELEASE - 17 August 2009

BRISANE driver Darren Duffield wrapped up his first visit by claiming the outright fastest time at the historic Leyburn Sprints at the weekend. Driving a Mazda Rotary-powered RPV hillclimb special, Duffield set a time of 50.21 seconds yesterday afternoon on the last of seven runs around the 1.1 kilometre temporary street course. He was comfortably ahead of second finisher and former winner Ray Vandersee and his Toowoomba-built Skelta G-Force SC sports car, while Robert Haines was third in an HRC single-seater.

Competition was tight among 190 competitors in racing, sports and touring cars dating from 1934 to present-day, but appeared to matter less to thousands of spectators  who made the 14th annual Sprints and 60th Australian Grand Prix celebration one of the most successful weekends the small Darling Downs town has hosted in years.

Unusually warm weather and the chance to see retired Queensland motor racing legend Dick Johnson back in action drew the crowds to front-yard parties around the track and the packed forecourt of the 1863-licensed Royal Hotel owned by rugby league identity Shane Webcke.

In a succession of tyre-smoking demonstrations, Johnson drove a classic 1971 Ford Falcon XY GT powered by an American NASCAR engine and a 1971 Escort, then abandoned his Ford loyalties for an impromptu turn in a 1951 Morris Minor - with a 5.0 litre V8 engine under the bonnet.

"I don't know if this is the height of my career, but I'm having fun. This is the kind of event where motorsport started," Johnson said.

Pub patrons raised $500 for the Leukaemia Foundation, while proceeds from the Sprints will be given to local charities and community projects.

Race Director Mike Collins said the weekend went without a hitch.

"It was a great weekend. Everyone had fun whether they were spectators or competitors and the event gave a great boost to Leyburn," he said.

"Today we start dismantling the track and packing up the safety barriers until next year. Apart from that, all that's left are two long black strips of rubber up the main street from the pub and a lot of great memories."

Fastest times
(full results will be on natsoft.com.au)

Outright:

Darren Duffield (RPV-Mazda) 50.21 sec.
Ray Vandersee (Skelta G-Force SC) 51.94
Robert Haines (HRC) 52.58

Historic:
Keith Carling (1980 Tiga SC80) 55.41

Fastest lady driver:
Yve Stocks (Cobra DRB) 57.67

Further information about the event can be found at www.leyburnmotorsprints.com.au

(ends)

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