More than 100 competitors will burn rubber this weekend as they race for a gold medal time at the annual CQ Motor Sports Club's Gold Rush Hill Sprint at Mount Morgan, widely known as Australia's longest hill sprint in motorsport.
Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Tony Williams said Council was pleased to provide $10,000 to support the event which has been an exciting fixture on the local event calendar since 2018.
"Spanning more than three kilometres, and featuring 26 tight corners and a 160 metre change in elevation, the Mount Morgan Range is a motor sport lovers' dream and with competitors travelling from across Australia it will certainly be the place to be, this weekend," Mayor Williams said.
"While the winner's podium will be hotly contested we know events like this are also gold for our region, with visitors travelling, exploring Rockhampton and spending money on accommodation and food and supporting our local businesses.
"The inaugural event attracted 75 competitors and this year 118 competitors will put a range of cars through their paces to beat the clock."
Divisional Councillor Cherie Rutherford said the event was a win, not only for car enthusiasts, but for the Mount Morgan and Rockhampton community, with such a unique event so close to home.
"For the public, the fun starts on Friday afternoon with a parade line up of entrants at Struck Oil at 3pm and Mt Morgan at 3.45pm," Cr Rutherford said.
"The action starts at 7am Saturday, with racing running through to 5pm, light permitting, and again on Sunday from 7am to 1pm.
"With gold coin donation entry, pit area viewing, entertainment and food, we encourage locals and visitors to head out to support this great event, all run by volunteers from a great community club."
Central Queensland Motor Sporting Club Vice President Aaron Black said the $10,000 grant received from The Rockhampton Regional Council as their 'Powered by Sponsor' was a huge help towards making a fantastic event for the region, allowing the Club to hire equipment and advertise to promote the event.
"We have significant interest once again from throughout Central Queensland as well as throughout Australia," Mr Black said.
"We have competitors travelling from as far afield as Western Australia, Northern Territory, New South Wales and Victoria, all itching to race this unique Mount Morgan Range track.
"We have Porsches, BMWs, Holdens, Fords, Subaru, Mazdas, Renaults, Toyotos and more, so whatever your car passion is, we will have it on display over the weekend.
"The Northern Territory's Dylan Cothill won the event last year in a Nissan R35GTR with an outright time of 1:41:82 so all competitors know what they are aiming for."
Entry is by gold coin donation, with racing action starting at 7am Saturday 19 July and running through to 1pm on Sunday 20 July, followed by presentations at 2pm.
Spectator parking is accessed via Poison Creek Road, off the Burnett Highway, with manned road closures in place.
