MEDIA RELEASE || Saturday 27 August 2011

A 40-YEAR-old Datsun has beaten a string of modern, hi-tech competitors to fastest time on the first day of the 16th annual Leyburn Sprints on the Darling Downs today.

Rain slowed the early runs for 210 competitors on the 1.1 kilometre closed street track, but on the fourth and last run of the day on a dry, sunny track Gold Coast driver John Siddins blitzed the field with a time of 55.2775 seconds.

Siddins had led throughout today in his 1970 Datsun 240Z coupe, but will return to the track tomorrow for three further runs that could determine the overall winner for 2011.

Second-fastest with a time of 55.7667 sec. was Brisbane’s David Homer in a self-built Suzuki Swift “pocket-rocket” fitted with the engine, transmission and all-wheel drive system from a Mitsubishi Lancer rally car.

Defending Leyburn Sprints champion Ray Vandersee of Toowoomba was third-fastest in his Skelta supercharged sports car, on 56.9627 sec.

Apart from a packed racing program, the day’s highlights included the dedication by LNP State MP Lawrence Springborg of a public art project in Leyburn’s main street.

Local artist Elizabeth Young has painted trackside barriers near the starting line with 15 pictures depicting historic buildings and places in the former gold-mining town.

Racing resumes tomorrow at 8am and organisers are hoping a big crowd turns out to see Queensland icon Dick Johnson and Irwin Racing V8 Supercar driver Alex Davison go head-to-head in three unfamiliar classic cars in the inaugural V8 Supercar Drivers Challenge.

Adult spectator tickets cost $15 at the gate. Leyburn is 60 kms north-west of Warwick.

Proceeds from the not-for-profit event benefit community organisations and projects.

The Leyburn Sprints is benefiting from funding under the Events Queensland Regional Development Program (EQRDP).

The EQRDP 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 EQRDP began in 2001, more than $17.5 million has been invested in 815 regional events, an indicator of the important role these events play in their communities and wider Queensland.

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For further media information and assistance:

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