MEDIA RELEASE - 16 August 2009

THOUSANDS of spectators are expected to turn out again for the second day of the historic Leyburn Sprints celebrating the 1949 Australian Grand Prix in the small Darling Downs town today. Yesterday's crowd was the best in years and more above-average warm weather and the promise of plenty of motorsport entertainment should bring many more people today, Race Director Mike Collins said. Racing starts at 8 am today and runs until 4 pm.

 "Yesterday was fantastic. The event ran smoothly and everyone had a great time," Collins said.

While outright honours were contested by the open-wheel Formula Libre racing cars of Darren Duffield (52.42 sec.), Robert Haines (52.59 sec.) and the Toowoomba-built Skelta G-Force SC of Ray Vandersee (54.55 sec.), yesterday's crowd saved its loudest cheers for Queensland motor racing icon Dick Johnson.

A packed crowd in the historic Royal Hotel which is adjacent to the start line for the 1.1 km street track, yelled and waved as Johnson performed several tyre-smoking getaways in a borrowed 950 horsepower 1971 Ford Falcon XY GT.

Johnson and his son Steven, driver for the family's Jim Beam Racing V8 Supercar team, will be back on track today in the Falcon and a 1971 Ford Escort.

Adult tickets are $10 today with children under 14 free.

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

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