The lights went down, and the track lit up under the Sydney twilight as Monochrome GT4 Australia launched into its first race of the weekend — a one-hour sprint that had it all: elbows-out action, strategy gambles, and spirited battles, including a fiery intra-family scrap that stole the spotlight.
All eyes were on Keltic Racing’s new pairing of Kiwi rookie Hugo Allan and veteran team owner Tony Quinn, who lined up 12th on the grid and fifth in class for Saturday night’s thriller.
It marked Allan’s GT4 debut in the series after winning the New Zealand Toyota GR86 Championship. As part of his prize, he was given the opportunity to drive alongside Quinn at one round of the GT4 Australia Championship, and rookie title winner Chris White will join Quinn in a future round.
The duo started deep in a talent-packed field, with Allan taking the first stint. Just behind him on the grid? None other than Quinn’s own grandson, Ryder Quinn, at the wheel of the #3 BMW M4 GT4 he shared with Steve Jakic — setting the stage for a generational battle.
The race ignited straight from the green flag as the sun dipped below the Sydney skyline. A three-wide charge into Turn 1 saw the front-runners jostling for position, with Tom Hayman muscling his McLaren into the lead ahead of Jarrod Hughes and Aaron Seton.
Chaos unfolded just behind, as Chris Lillis and Rob Love tangled at Turn 2, prompting early contact and drama. Moments later, Lib Palermo’s off-track excursion brought out the race’s first safety car.
By the time the field regrouped and racing resumed with 50 minutes to go, Allan had already capitalized on the early attrition, moving up to 10th place. Right on his tail? Ryder Quinn — the duel and prime opportunity to prove to Tony Quinn what he was made of had arrived for Allan.
What followed was one of the race’s most intense and cleanest battles. Ryder lunged down the inside at Turn 5, briefly taking the spot, only for Allan to immediately counter with a strong move back up the inside.
The BMW vs. Toyota scrap stayed clean but aggressive, with both drivers showing maturity beyond their years—especially Allan, on debut under the lights. Eventually, Ryder reclaimed the position at Turn 9 in a drag race that thrilled fans and commentators alike.
But this wasn’t just a two-horse battle. Behind them, a train of fast and hungry competitors — including Jake Camilleri, Nathan Morcom, Cody Burcher, Daniel Frougas, and Diesel Thomas — closed in, forming a snarling 7-car freight train locked in a fierce midfield melee.
Up front, Lachlan Mineeff made waves as he displaced Hughes to take over second place with 34 minutes remaining while pit strategy started to unfold.
The first to blink was the #35 Mustang of Rylan Gray, who handed over to George Miedecke just as the pit window opened. The strategy gamble from several teams, including Allan and Ryder Quinn, was to run longer — hoping to leapfrog rivals during the driver swaps.
Allan continued to hold 10th at the halfway mark — an impressive showing for his first GT4 outing, managing tyre wear and pressure with composure. Then came the critical pit stops. With 24 minutes to go, the top three — Hayman, Mineeff, and Hughes — all ducked in for driver changes. Allan followed shortly after, handing the Supra over to Tony Quinn.
“I think we gained a few positions, and we jumped a few cars in the pit lane, which was nice,” said Ryder Quinn after his stint.
“Now it’s all up to Steve [Jakic] to bring it home. I’m confident.”
Tony Quinn rejoined the race in 16th, while Jakic returned in 6th — setting the scene for a tense run to the flag. But the second half of the race didn’t go to plan for the Keltic Racing entry.
Despite a clean run from the experienced Quinn, the car struggled for pace as others surged forward on fresher tyres and in clear air. They ultimately slipped down the order, eventually crossing the line in 20th overall and 7th in class.
Adding to the late-race drama, Jason Gomersall’s BMW briefly caught fire at Turn 12 due to a suspected brake issue, but the field remained green.
At the front, Hayman and Max Geoghegan converted their early pace into a commanding win, with Hughes/Rintoule and Jake Camilleri rounding out the podium. While Dean Campbell took Silver-Am honours, Shane Smollen triumphed in the Am Cup.
Despite finishing outside the top ten, the Allan-Quinn combination showed serious promise. Allan’s wheel-to-wheel battle with Ryder Quinn was a standout moment of the race and a statement of intent from the young Kiwi, while Tony Quinn’s efforts brought the car home cleanly in a race that punished mistakes.
Meanwhile, Ryder Quinn and Jakic delivered a strong finish in 13th overall and third in class, rewarding their aggressive first stint and sharp pit work.
Although the results may not have matched Allan and Quinn’s effort, the debut laid strong foundations for what’s to come.
With their first race now in the books, all eyes turn to Race 2 — where redemption, and perhaps a top-ten finish, is well within reach. The second and final race of the weekend is set to go green at 12.50 PM NZT.
Header Image: Monochrome GT4 Australia
