Philcomm's Managing Director, Fred van Tuinen, provides a highlight for this weekend's Leyburn Sprints on the Darling Downs.

Queensland racing hero John French will be joined by two venerable reminders of his winning career when he makes a rare on-track appearance at the Leyburn Sprints on the Darling Downs next weekend.

Fans will be able to see the 80-year-old former Bathurst 1000 winner in action at the wheel of a rally-bred Subaru Impreza Spec C during the annual round-the-houses time trials for historic, classic and high performance cars on Saturday and Sunday. Also competing in the 210-car field will be French's driving partner in the 1981 Bathurst win, Queensland icon Dick Johnson.

Meanwhile, one of the cars most closely associated with French during his long career, his 1962 Australian GT Championship-winning Centaur Waggott GT, will be on track in the hands of its current owner.

Tickets for the Leyburn Sprints are on sale now at www.leyburnmotorsprints.com.au. Adult tickets cost $15 per day or $25 for the weekend and can be downloaded in printable form.

Honoured as one of Queensland's most successful and best-liked drivers of the 60s, 70s and 80s, John French has been a regular guest at the annual Leyburn Sprints but rarely competed.

The invitation to drive the Subaru in the "Special Interest 4WD" class came from the car's owner, Brisbane motorsport identity Fred van Tuinen.

"John was a Subaru dealer, so he should enjoy this car," van Tuinen said.

"It's a special rally version with upgraded engine, transmission and brakes and a fairly rare car. It will be pretty quick and I'm sure a champion like John hasn't forgotten how to drive a quick car."

Race Director Dennis Brown said it would be a treat for spectators to see "Frenchy" in action again.

"John was a great Queensland driver in Bathurst Falcons, Mini Coopers, the Centaur Waggott, Alfa Romeos and many other cars. And he remains a great personality, still popular with fans everywhere he appears.

"To have John, Dick Johnson and the Centaur all here together will be among many reasons to come to Leyburn next weekend.

"There will be numerous innovations for our 16th celebration of the 1949 Australian Grand Prix, including the V8 Supercar Drivers Challenge featuring Dick and V8 Supercar young guns James Moffat and Alex Davison, new grandstands, a show and shine, grand prix historic display, great country food and market stalls."

Racing at will start at 8am on both days, with trophy presentations scheduled from 3.30pm on Sunday in front of footballer Shane Webcke's 1863 Royal Hotel.

Proceeds from the not-for-profit event benefit community organisations and projects. The Leyburn Sprints is benefiting from funding under the Events Queensland Regional Development Program (EQRDP).

The EQRDP is an investment program designed to extend the flow of economic and social benefits of events to regional Queensland.

A State-wide initiative, the program is committed to enhancing existing events in regional Queensland, as well as assisting in the establishment of new events.

Since the EQRDP began in 2001, more than $17.5 million has been invested in 815 regional events, an indicator of the important role these events play in their communities and wider Queensland.

Philcomm is proud to continue their support of the Leyburn Sprints by once again supplying the radio communications for the event.