DRIFT CARS PLAN TYRE-SMOKING MAYHEM

SPECTACULAR Dan Showtime Kenneally Nissan Skyvia drift ute Drift Pirates copy

SIX high-powered, tyre-smoking drift cars will provide spectacular entertainment at the 21st Historic Leyburn Sprints this weekend.

Alongside the 210-plus thoroughbreds entered for the Sprints time-trials, there's definitely nothing historic or classic about the Hogs Breath Café-Maxtrek Drift Demo Team led by Dan "Showtime" Kenneally and his 400 horsepower Nissan Skyvia ute.

The sport of drifting demands extreme skill and accuracy to slide the cars sideways at high speed, even on a straight road. The result is plenty of noise and tyre smoke – and huge fun for spectators.

CARS THE STARS ON- AND OFF-TRACK AT 21st HISTORIC LEYBURN SPRINTS

LEY16-Vintage caravans Trapnell Creations

THE cars are the stars at next weekend’s 21st Historic Leyburn Sprints – but not all of them will be racing around the township’s street course.

The off-track Vintage Caravan display and Shannons Show ‘n’ Shine competition are expected to attract up to 200 beautifully-presented vehicles and strong interest from the Sprints spectators.

The displays are highlights of a host of off-track attractions designed to entertain visitors throughout the weekend, addition to the 210-plus Sprints time-trial entries.

HISTORIC SPRINTS READY TO WELCOME UP TO 400 CARS FOR WEEKEND OF GO AND SHOW

EXOTIC Stewart Reid 1985 Audi quattro S1 Trapnell copy

THE tiny Queensland town that once hosted an Australian Grand Prix will come alive again with motoring action when almost 400 historic, classic and performance vehicles turn out for the Historic Leyburn Sprints this weekend.

The 21st annual Sprints have attracted more than 210 thoroughbred machines representing 90 years of motoring for the round-the-houses time trials, while close to 200 show-and-shine cars and vintage caravans are expected for off-track displays.

The Sprints commemorate the running of the 1949 grand prix on a disused wartime airfield just outside the Darling Downs town, which is equidistant from Warwick and Toowoomba.

Leyburn's population of approximately 400 is expected to swell to up to 10,000 across the weekend, attracted by non-stop entertainment on- and off-track and grassroots country atmosphere.