The Historic Leyburn Sprints has benefited from a range of official funding to stage the 28th annual event and 75th grand prix anniversary.
Continuing its long-standing backing of one of the Southern Downs region’s most popular annual events, the Queensland Government has contributed $10,000 through its Queensland Destination Events Program (QDEP).
The Sprints, Queensland Motor Sport event of the Year in 2017, is one of more than 40 events across the State that receive assistance from the QDEP.
A further direct investment of $9000 has been made by the Department of Tourism and Sport.
The tourism support supplements the Sprints marketing strategy to attract visitors from outside the region, highlighting not only this event but also the many visitor attractions of the Southern Downs.
Southern Downs Regional Council has supported the Sprints to the level of $12,000, also recognising the direct economic benefit and tourism promotion from the weekend.
Leyburn has received $25,000 from the Gambling Community Benefits Fund, Queensland’s largest one-off community grants program. The fund distributes approximately $60 million each year to not-for-profit community groups, helping them to provide services, leisure activities and opportunities for Queensland communities. This funding assisted us in purchasing a new groundS mower.
An exciting addition to Leyburn this year is the training of 12 participants, from 14 to 49, in roles as qualified motor-racing officials using $12,500 provided by the Active Women and Girls Program. In the first stage of an ongoing program supervised by the Sprints, the women will be assigned to multiple trackside roles across the weekend, under the supervision of experienced Motorsport Australia officials.
Sprints President Tricia Chant thanked all the organisations for their support.
“This funding is enormously positive in ensuring the Historic Leyburn Sprints is staged for a 28th time. I don’t think any other similar event has been able to have such a great record,” she said.
“It has helped our community, volunteer-run event grow from modest beginnings in 1996 to one that is now Queensland’s biggest Motorsport Australia-sanctioned event outside the Supercars Gold Coast and Townsville rounds.
“In turn, it delivers a vital direct economic boost and tourism promotion to the Southern Darling Downs region. We are very grateful for the support.
“It is a recognition of this success that we have been able to receive this generous support in 2024.”
