MEDIA RELEASE || Tuesday 3 August 2010

ELECTION day August 21 in the usually peaceful Darling Downs township of Leyburn is likely to be one of the busiest and noisiest on record when the Leyburn Sprints attracts thousands of people to watch the round-the-houses time trials – and vote. Election officials will open a polling booth at the RSL club in the town, which usually has a population of around just 300.

But with spectators and competitors expected to pour in to Leyburn from north, south, east and west polling facilities will have to be upgraded to cater for a higher number of absentee voters.

“We’ll have up to 200 drivers and their crews and supporters here for the weekend, racing from 8 am on Saturday, plus of course a large number of spectators, and everyone will need to vote,” Leyburn Sprints President Ann Collins said.

“It might be the only place in Australia on August 21 where you’ll see voters in race suits and helmets and it will certainly be a sight if one of the road-registered competing cars pulls up outside the RSL Club in Warwick Street.”

Mrs Collins said the voters could include V8 racing legend Dick Johnson and Dakar Rally driver Bruce Garland, who will be two of the stars contesting the Sprints.

The names of two more celebrities who will be swapping their usual V8 Supercars to drive something with a more classic style will be announced in the next couple of days.

The 15th annual Sprints, which celebrate the running of the 1949 Australian Grand Prix on an ex-wartime airstrip near the town, will be contested over 21 and 22 August by invited single-seater racing cars, sports cars and touring cars in tune with the heritage of the event.

As well as racing both days from 8am, attractions will include market stalls, Show ‘n’ Shine competitions, a Saturday display by the HSV Club and a vintage speedcar display and demonstration on Sunday.

The not-for-profit event is community-run and proceeds are used to help local organisations and projects.

The Leyburn Sprints is benefiting from funding under the Queensland  Events Regional Development Program (QERDP).
 
The QERDP is an investment program designed to extend the flow of economic and social benefits of events to regional Queensland.
 
A state-wide initiative, the program is committed to enhancing existing events in regional Queensland, as well as assisting in the establishment of new events.
 
Since the QERDP began in 2001, more than $15.3 million has been invested in 705 regional events, an indicator of the important role these events play in their communities and wider Queensland.

The Leyburn Sprints also has received support from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal.

For further media information and assistance:

Ann Collins
President
Mob. (0428) 959 101
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Chris Nixon
Media Manager
Leyburn Sprints
Ph: 0418 759 417
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www.leyburnmotorsprints.com.au