The hills of Mount Morgan thundered with horsepower and high spirits over the weekend as the 2025 Gold Rush Hill Sprints delivered one of its most exciting events yet. Set against the rugged backdrop of Central Queensland’s historic mining country, the narrow and twisting tarmac carved into the mountainside played host to a spectacular mix of machines and drivers who weren’t afraid to chase the clock—and the glory.
Among the 118 entrants, the standout performance came from Daniel Day, who carved his name into Gold Rush folklore with a blistering run of 1:40.34 in his finely tuned 2005 Subaru STI. Shaving precious seconds off the previous benchmark, Day now holds the coveted title of Legend of the Mountain—a fitting reward for a campaign of clean, fearless speed and razor-sharp handling on one of Queensland’s most challenging courses.
Hot on his heels was Philip Heafey in his Mitsubishi Lancer, another seasoned hill climb warrior, whose 1:45.60 run locked in second place. His consistency and control through the hairpins were a masterclass in smooth aggression. Rounding out the top three was Braise Paris in a Porsche 911, who impressed the crowd with a 1:46.31 run and a style that hints at future hill sprints dominance.
The course itself is no joke—a tight and technical 2.9-kilometre sprint that punishes mistakes and rewards finesse. Spectators lined the road’s edge at the start line and gathered in prime vantage spots to catch glimpses of roaring V8s, turbocharged imports, and classic muscle cars, each leaving its mark (sometimes literally) on the mountain.
Despite the fierce competition, the weekend maintained its hallmark community spirit. Local volunteers, Motorsport Australia officials from throughout the State, motorsport clubs, and families came together to create a warm and inclusive atmosphere. Kids waved flags, food trucks did a roaring trade, and engines echoed through the valley well into the afternoon.
Beyond the outright top three, the class battles were equally thrilling. From tightly contested categories like Modern 4WD and Historic Touring to crowd-favourites like Sports Sedans and Clubman Specials, the timesheets were full of personal bests, comeback stories, and breakout performances. The complete breakdown of provisional results is available on the links below for those wanting a deeper dive into the stats:
A crowd favourite was 1939 edition Mr Rad Geurin in his red 2011 Honda Civic Type R. At 86 years old, Rad was the oldest entrant coming in at 100th in the points with a blistering run of 2:20:07 and allowing him to tick the Hill Sprints off his bucket list of motorsport events to compete in. “Lawn bowls ,golf card games and bingo etc are not my thing but when I have the helmet on and ready to go I don’t feel nervous and my age is forgotten and replaced by concentration. I have worked in the building industry all my life and now do regular gym sessions so that I can still keep reasonably fit and do things I enjoy in the car club community where I have some really good mates as all of my childhood friends have passed on.”
With another year in the books, the Gold Rush Hill Sprints continues to cement its status as one of Queensland’s must-attend grassroots motorsport events. For competitors, it’s the ultimate test of car and driver. For fans, it’s a reminder that real racing doesn’t always happen on a circuit—and sometimes, legends are made on a mountain.
Congratulations to all entrants, and a special salute to Daniel Day, 2025’s Legend of the Mountain. We’ll see you back in Bouldercombe next year for more driving at its finest.
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