Leyburn Sprints 18th & 19th August 2012.
The 17th annual Sprints, commemorating the 1949 Australian Grand Prix, a field of 199 drivers, a diverse line-up of classic, historic and performance cars ranging in vintage from 1926 to 2012. Also running at the same time was the Shannon’s Show ‘n’ Shine with almost 100 entries and perfect weather combined to attract a potentially record crowd.
The Leyburn Sprints is one of the longest continuously-running historic motorsport events in the country and again it was very well supported this year by spectators, competitors and sponsors. “Although we haven’t completed a final count, the two-day attendance is likely to be more than 10,000 and we all feel this was probably the best crowd we’ve ever had,” Sprints organising committee President Ann Collins said.
“Everybody loved the event, whether they were spectators or competitors. The weekend went very well and everybody had fun.” Proceeds from the not-for-profit 2012 Leyburn Sprints will assist Ovarian Cancer Australia, RACQ Careflight Rescue and numerous local community groups and projects. Leyburn’s good-natured country atmosphere saw a packed campground, pig races at the local RSL on Saturday night, Country Women’s Association catering for the volunteer officials and a rollicking trophy presentation during which the prizes of varnished rocks varying in size for first, second and third – were distributed from the back of a ute parked outside the 1863-licensed Royal Hotel.
Rock recipients included the fastest Historic-category driver David Cross, who recorded a 49.313 sec. run in his 1976 V8 Bowin-Hay single-seater, fifth-best also in the overall classification.
The oldest car entered, Andrew Wilson’s 1926 supercharged Amilcar AC, beat many newer cars with a 107th-fastest time of 58.917 sec.
The fastest time of the weekend went to Warwick Hutchinson (Van Diemen RF92-RPV02) in his self built Mazda 13b Turbo single-seater Hillclimb racing car of 46.72 sec. although Warwick had to pull out of the event after his 4th run on Saturday due to engine problems this time was a new track record. Second outright was Grant Watson (Prosport Eclipse) Grants best time was on his second last run of 47.14 sec. Third outright was Garry Ford (Ford Escort V8 Sports Sedan) Gary’s punted his car around the 1.1Klm track in a very quick time of 47.92 sec. on his last run. Gary’s Escort is one of the quickest Escorts in Australia and credit to Gary and his team for the times he posted.
Top 5 Outright Results for the week end –
1 Warwick Hutchinson (Van Diemen RF92-RPV02 Turbo Rotary) 46.72 sec. (New Track Record)
2 Grant Watson (Prosport Eclipse) 47.14 sec.
3 Garry Ford (Ford Escort V8) 47.92 sec.
4 Nicholas Contojohn (Subaru WRX Sti) 48.18 sec.
5 David Cross (Bowin-Hay P6) 49.31 sec.
Once again the organizers of this event should be congratulated as the weekend was a great success and we are looking forward to running in the next year’s event.
The next hillclimb event that the rotary hillclimb racing car will be running is Australian Hillclimb Championships at Mt Panorama at Bathurst on the 2nd to the 4th November 2012.