Jacob Lawrence and John Bowe have launched the new Randall Industries/Southern BM BMW G82 M4 GT4 they will drive in this year’s Monochrome GT4 Australia Series.
The newly imported G82 M4 GT4 was shown off at a lavish event hosted by Brighton BMW where Lawrence and Bowe were on hand to pull the covers off.
Last year marked Lawrence’s circuit racing debut partnering Bowe in the previous generation GT4 offering from BMW with a degree of success. It proved a dream come true for Lawrence as a long-time aficionado of the Bavarian marque.
Bowe has been lending his expertise to mentor Lawrence after a connection at Southern BM introduced the pair. This attack on Monochrome GT4 Australia will be Bowe’s sole full-time program this season after stepping away from Touring Car Masters at the end of 2023.
The pair’s new G82 M4 GT4 is one of many to join the grid including Tim Leahey, who debuted the latest model at the Bathurst International last November.
The squad is aiming to enter a second BMW this season, with drivers to be announced in due course.
The opening round of the season is at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit alongside the Shannons SpeedSeries starts the season on April 12-14.
QUOTES
Jacob Lawrence
#32 Randall Industries/Southern BM, BMW G83 M4 GT4
“The reason for upgrading to the new model is to be in the latest generation of GT4 car and be a little more competitive,” Lawrence explained.
“I have always been a big fan of BMW so to be driving the latest and greatest is awesome. We received the new G82 towards the end of last year and I was debating whether to debut it at Bathurst, but elected to use the trusted F82.
“I got really comfortable in the car and it has a lot of similarities compared to the F82, although there are a heap of differences including the steering wheel. It was good to get seat time in the car, it was a 36 degree day, so it was a bit hot though the air conditioning inside worked a treat.
“It was great last year, we built strong camaraderie with the guys and I believe this season will be a bit more serious. I’m training hard off-track in my fitness regime and I’m going to give it my all, but my aim is to progress each round.
“JB (Bowe) is aiming to do all the rounds bar one as there might be a clash, but the goal is to do every race together. He’s been instrumental in getting me up to speed at a faster pace than where I would be without him.
“The vibe and excitement around GT4 at the moment. I’m bloody excited and April can’t come quick enough.”
John Bowe
#32 Randall Industries/Southern BM, BMW G83 M4 GT4
“It’s very nice to drive as is the previous F82 and I’m excited to join Jacob again this season,” said Bowe.
“The G82 is nice to drive, even if it is complex compared to what I’ve been driving recently and I can’t say I fully understand it yet. Just getting in it and driving it has been terrific.
“Since we’ve been moving along, we have put together a group of very like minded, skilled people together.
“These GT4 cars are turnkey from the factory, which is what we all like about them. All the models have long service intervals, reasonably priced and I think the category has a bright future if it’s managed properly.
“I’m very excited about the category.
“The category should create some great racing, not send anyone broke and the cars are based on the road-going equivalent built by factory engineers.
“Personally I love the variety and the category is well run, now under the guidance of SRO there will be a good structure in GT4.”