Indy 500 race car restored to former glory ahead of 75th Leyburn Sprints

An iconic American race car is set to burn rubber through the streets of a rural southwest Queensland town at an annual event that celebrates all things motorsport. Warning: Earplugs required.

Mark Pickering has been rebuilding an iconic IndyCar that infamously competed in the Indy 500 in 1999. Photo: Contributed

A former American Indy 500 race car, capable of reaching speeds of 354km/h, is set to tear through the streets of Leyburn.

Fast, loud cars might be the theme of the Historical Leyburn Sprints, but race car enthusiast Mark Pickering’s imported G-Force Aurora IndyCar is taking it to the next level.

Slowly rebuilding the IndyCar to its former glory since importing it from Canada in 2009, Mr Pickering only decided 10 short weeks ago to race in the 75th annual event.

“I’d heard good things about Leyburn and I thought why not,” he said.

“There’s more of an opportunity to race it out there than anywhere else and it’s really just going to be for fun to show the car off for people to appreciate it.”

Mark Pickering's imported G-Force Aurora IndyCar will make its debut at the 75th Historical Leyburn Sprints on August 17 and 18.

The G-Force Aurora was driven by retired American race car driver Jimmy Kite at the Indy 500 in 1999 and 2000, originally blue before it was repainted its current red in 2000.

Fast cars and racing has been a longstanding passion for Mr Pickering, who became intrigued by the idea of owning a IndyCar through a friend in the US who is involved in racing and also owned one.

Mr Pickering has faced quite the challenge in rebuilding the IndyCar’s engine, having not started it for two years with the vehicle having sat in storage.

As a retired computer programmer, Mr Pickering took pleasure in doing a lot of the car’s wiring himself.

Retired American race car driver Jimmy Kite raced the G-Force Aurora at the Indy 500 in 1999 and in 2000 with the IndyCar repainted its current shade of red. Photo: Contributed

“There’s a lot of satisfaction and pride in doing things yourself, but I’m also thankful I have good friends who are skilled in different areas,” he said.

“I don’t think I would have got through these past few months without their support.”

Mr Pickering gave a special mention to Billet Inc and Haltech for their help in rebuilding the IndyCar’s electronics and engine management system.

There hasn’t been an IndyCar racing event in Australia since the Gold Coast Indy 300 in 2008, making Mr Pickering’s 1999 G-Force Aurora a rare sight at the August 17 and 18 event.

The IndyCar will spend time in Toowoomba this week getting its final tune up before the big day.

Punters won’t miss the bright red race car, or the roaring sound of its engine as it rolls up to the start line at the 75th annual Historical Leyburn Sprints.

Find out more about the events and grab your tickets to the unmissable weekend here.

Originally published as Indy 500 race car restored to former glory ahead of 75th Leyburn Sprints