By ALENA HIGGINS
THERE were thrills and spills as almost 200 cars took to the track at the annual Historic Leyburn Sprints last weekend.
About 12,000 motoring enthusiasts turned out to watch the classic contest, which featured a colourful display of racing, sports and touring cars spanning nine decades.
Although there was only light rain at the Darling Downs township on Saturday, the around-the-houses track surface remained greasy – times were slower and several cars slid off on corners, although without serious damage.
One of the casualties was track record-holder Brett Hayward, who overshot the first turn in his RF92 Van Diemen-rotary and broke the front wing.
Subsequently, he was beaten to the fastest time of the day by Neil Lewis, who recorded 51.7 seconds around the one-kilometre course in a DBF1 single-seater.
As well as the time trials on a one-kilometre round-the-houses course, the Sprints hosted a new Retro Caravan Show Off and on Sunday visitors enjoyed the highly anticipated Shannons Show ’n’ Shine display.
President Ann Collins said the event was a roaring success.
“It was a wonderful weekend, everyone went home with smile on their faces and really pleased with it,” she said.
Plans are already afoot to celebrate the “big one” – two decades of smoke and rubber – next year, Ms Collins said.
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