INGENIOUS "AUSTRALIAN SPECIALS" PART OF GRAND PRIX HISTORY AT LEYBURN SPRINTS CELEBRATION
PHOTO: The 1954 Wolseley Flying W Special of Eric Cossiche from South Australia represents the heritage of home-built Australian racing cars at next weekend’s Historic Leyburn Sprints
LEYBURN (Queensland) - When the Historic Leyburn Sprints roars into action next weekend it will celebrate not only the time the Darling Downs village hosted the Australian Grand Prix but also the ingenious home-built cars that helped revive Australian motor-racing after World War 2.
The entry list of 28 cars at the 1949 grand prix included 19 described as “Specials” - either roadgoing models lightened of superfluous bodywork or ground-up creations using combinations of secondhand parts. Their expensive imported rivals included two Bugattis, the winning Delahaye, a Jaguar and several MGs.
Virtually all the “Australian Specials” were constructed by enthusiasts with either limited funds or skills, but made up in speed what they lacked in style.
ALFAS TO ASTONS - MINIS TO MUSTANGS: WATCH THE NEW HISTORIC LEYBURN SPRINTS TV AD
Camper's Information now available - All Campers Must Read
Impotant information for those camping at the grounds provided for this year's Historic Leyburn Sprints is now available on the Results and Docs page via the menu above, or click here to download your copy now.
Please note; All campers must read this information before using the camping facilities.
FROM McLAREN TO A COP CAR SPECIAL - LEYBURN SPRINTS RAFFLES ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME TRACK RIDES
PHOTOS: An Audi quattro S1 Group B rally car and 820-horsepower Ford Falcon GT will be offering thrilling rides to spectators at the historic Leyburn Sprints (Trapnel Creations pics)
LEYBURN (Queensland) - Can you imagine riding in a McLaren or Lotus sports car, an Audi quattro rally beast, an 820 horsepower Falcon GT or even an ex-police pursuit drag racer? Some lucky spectators are in for the experience of a lifetime as winners of an amazing competition at the Historic Leyburn Sprints next month.
Raffles to win passenger “hot laps” in these rare and exotic cars on the Leyburn 1.0-kilometre street course will be held throughout the 18-19 August Sprints weekend.
Sprints President Tricia Chant says the event’s traditional ride raffle has been upgraded into a major spectator attraction this year.
“For the price of a $5 ticket, we’re offering Sprints spectators the unique chance to ride in some truly incredible cars. I can’t think of another event in the country that offers an experience like this and I’d like to thank the drivers for making their cars available,”Mrs Chant said.
(Click the above poster for a larger version)
SABAKAT-LOTUS REVIVES A RACY HISTORY WITH LEYBURN DEBUT
PHOTO: The Sabakat started its life as a 1957 Lotus 12 before being spirited to Australia in the fuselage of a plane (Pic: nzpeterb on Flickr)
LEYBURN (Queensland) - It was disguised under the name Sabakat and around 60 years ago had a decidedly racy history, but now one of the first Lotus competition cars is returning home to the Darling Downs for its debut in the Historic Leyburn Sprints next month.
The appearance of the 1957 single-seater among more than 200 historic, classic and performance cars entered for the 23rd annual Sprints on 18-19 August will revive stories of its alleged smuggling into Australia, grand prix history, a spectacularly fiery demise and eventual re-creation.
The Sabakat, to be driven by owner Mike Gosbell, is a Lotus 12, the model that launched the British manufacturer’s first foray into Formula 1 and Formula 2 racing in 1957.
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