Financial boost for Leyburn Sprints
THE Leyburn Sprints won a major funding boost from the Queensland Government, which has increased its contribution and, for the first time, committed to a three-year program.
The sprints will receive a total of $110,000 for the 2013, 2014 and 2015 sprints from the government's Events Queensland organisation.
The funding is intended to help promote the event and attract more competitors and spectators from outside the Southern Down region.
The 2013 Leyburn Sprints for historic and classic racing cars will be held from August 17-18 and is expected to lure more than 200 drivers and up to 10,000 spectators for time trials on a round-the-houses street course.
The 18th annual event will celebrate the running of the 1949 Australian Grand Prix on a nearby ex-wartime
airstrip.
Organising committee president Ann Collins said the grant was a recognition of the Sprints' heritage, its standing in the national historic racing community and popularity with spectators.
"This is a very significant increase over past funding levels and will enable us to grow... ," she said.
