Leyburn ready to rumble
Original car to feature in sprints
A LITTLE pre-war car that once tried to win Australia’s biggest motor race will return as a star of the 23rd Historic Leyburn Sprints today and tomorrow.
Already 10 years old, the MG TB single-seater driven by Jack Nind retired with engine failure during the 1949 Australian Grand Prix at Leyburn, the biggest event in the history of the tiny Darling Downs town and a forerunner of the modern-day Formula 1 race in Melbourne.
After contesting three other Australian Grands Prix and many other events over the years, the MG will take another run at a Leyburn win in the annual round-the-houses sprints alongside more than 200 other historic, classic and performance cars.
It is owned by Colin Schiller of Cambooya, near Toowoomba.
Mr Schiller also has entered an MG J2 single-seater; this was to have been raced by his daughter Belinda, but she has withdrawn from the event.
Sprints president Tricia Chant said the old MG’s appearance helped maintain the traditional connection between
Creations
the event and the 1949 grand prix.
“It’s extraordinary that this car still even exists, as some grand prix entrants didn’t survive the era,” she said.
“But to have it find a home here on the Darling Downs not far from Leyburn and to have it running next weekend is truly wonderful.
“It will be a treat to see such an historic car, well preserved despite a long competition career and one of the oldest entries this year.”
Colin Schiller’s MG TB will be joined by another 1949 veteran, the 1935 Strathpine Special driven by John Parker of Brisbane.
In contrast to Schiller’s English-made 1348 cc MG – a relative thoroughbred in racing terms – the Strathpine Special was “home-built” with a Ford “flathead” V8 engine and warsurplus Jeep parts.
Driven by garage proprietor Snow Sefton, it also failed to finish the 1949 grand prix, overheating after 11 laps of the ex-airfield circuit.
The Historic Leyburn Sprints are on today and tomorrow.