Full gallery: Historic Leyburn Sprints celebrates 75 years of motoring magic

Thousands descended on the tiny Southern Downs town of Leyburn at the weekend for one of Queensland’s oldest and most beloved motoring events. Gallery here.

Rhet Silkstone from Redcliffe preparing for the sprint at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Revheads rejoice, one of Queensland’s premier motoring events has geared up for a major anniversary.

The Historic Leyburn Sprints is hitting the downs this weekend for the 28th anniversary of the event.

The competition owes its legacy to hosting the Australian Grand Prix in 1949, during the aftermath of World War II.

Organisers around the circuit say it’s the biggest it’s ever been, with a record number of entrants for the 2024 weekend.

One weekend every year, the small town of Leyburn swells with an enormous population, with thousands of motoring enthusiasts ascending on the tiny town of less than 600 people.

One such enthusiast is Justin McCarthy, 84, who frequents the region from his home in South East Queensland due to his love of the sport.

Justin McCarthy arrived in style in his near-100 year old car at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

He may be the oldest driver in the oldest car at this year’s event, but Mr McCarthy, returns year after year for this reason: mateship.

“It’s not so much about the cars, it’s more about the camaraderie and seeing the same people year after year,” Mr McCarthy said.

“Everyone has mates they only see once a year at the Sprints,” he said.

Mr McCarthy is driving a near-100-year-old car, a nod to his past. It was the first car he drove at age 16 and thus has always had a fondness for the Austin Seven model.

The racer said he’s been racing since the 70s, but the love for his car persists, even if there’s been some modifications and additions to his 1925 model car.

“I learnt to drive in this car,” he says, “I think back then it only cost 50 pounds.”

Justin McCarthy arrived in style in his beloved 1925 Austin Seven, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

“It’s quite an accomplishment to be able to drive in the same car you were driving when you were 16.

“It took awhile for me to get my licence, but I would drive it to college every day, but in those days, no one really checked on those things.”

Mr McCarthy’s prized car was restored faithfully by a dedicated team- while there are some adjustments such as the body- it is “essentially the same machine.”

“If I had ten cents for every photo that was taken of me in my car, I’d be rich! But I love giving that enjoyment to people, that’s why I keep coming back,” he said.

“The event is only getting bigger and bigger, and as long as I’m able I will keep coming back.”

GALLERY: August 17, 2024

Billy and Harrison from Brisbane at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Mick, Cassie and Isla White from Toowoomba at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Steve, Rhonda and Kev from South Coast, New South Wales at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Justin McCarthy takes Andrew Fraser, the Motorsport Australia President, around the classic Leyburn circuit, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Curtis and Declan Matthews from Dalby at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Plenty of unique and bright cars were on display at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Rhet Silkstone from Redcliffe preparing for the sprint at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Brendon, Erin, Summer and Toowoomba from Toowoomba at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Nefeli, Elliot and Xeni from Brisbane at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Emily and Eva from the Gold Coast at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Kerry and Grant from Brisbane at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Marlissa with grandson Sterling from Goombungee at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Bevin and Rhonda from Toowoomba at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Kerry and Grant from Brisbane at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Brando and Kezza repping the Flaming Koala hot sauce merch from Brisbane at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Michael, Dave and John from Hervey Bay at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Merrin, Neil and Simon from the Gold Coast at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Craig and Michelle from Ipswich at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Geoffrey Jordan and Bryan Slager from Toowoomba at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Steve, Alice, Pat and Nyah from Brisbane at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Mates Ed and Ian from Samford at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Jayden and Craig from the Lockyer Valley at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

John and Jim Siddins from the Gold and Sunny Coasts at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Gloria and Ross McAndrew from the Northern Rivers at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Bev Hall, Sue Anderson and Cindy Smidt from Northern NSW at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Dave and Julie Flemming at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

John Kelly and Keith Wella from Brisbane at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Good friends Sharon Yuke and Alan Whitehead from Beaudesert and Yelabon at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Adrian and Mike from Brisbane at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Jan and Louise Garcia from Caboolture at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Mates Syd and John from Albury at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

Richard and Neale from Brisbane at the Leyburn Sprints, August 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)