An Audi spearheaded by open-wheel convert Blake Purdie is set to shake up the established Monochrome GT4 Australia Silver Cup field in 2025.
Driving the Audi R8 LMS GT4 formally piloted by Steve Jukes in two rounds of last year’s schedule, Purdie will be joined by experienced South Australian driver Daniel Price for the season.
Purdie makes the switch to Monochrome GT4 Australia following stints in the Australian Prototype Series, S5000 and F4 Australian Championship certified by FIA.
Scoring eight podiums across three seasons in the S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship makes Purdie a driver to watch in this year’s Silver Cup title fight. He also scored five podiums on the way to fifth in last year’s F4 Australian Championship certified by FIA, but is preparing for his first tin-top experience.
Price was a leading national karting contender before moving onto the Aussie Racing Cars and Formula 3 after receiving his circuit chance by finishing second in the Aussie Driver Search GT Class driving an Audi.
The program will be backed by Purdie’s long-term supporter Nippy’s fruit juice and milk products and will have leading motorsport outfit Jam Motorsport running the car - making it a true South Australian attack.
For Purdie, Monochrome GT4 Australia provides the perfect pathway towards his aim of a future GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS drive.
The duo have already successfully tested the Audi and the plan is for more days to take place prior to the opening round.
Monochrome GT4 Australia will host its season opener at GT Festival Phillip Island at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit as part of the Shannons SpeedSeries on April 4-6.
Tickets for the season opener are now on sale and can be purchased via motorsporttickets.com.au.
QUOTES
Blake Purdie
Nippy’s Audi R8 LMS GT4
“We had a look around at a lot of categories, but I’m definitely more interested in going the GT route,” Purdie said.
“What stuck out for me about GT4 was racing on the same weekend as the GT3s and my ultimate goal is to get a drive in one of those down the track, so GT4 is the best way to go.
“It’s been a lot easier to drive the Audi compared to the S5000. After around three laps I was on it in the Audi, so in that regard it was a lot easier to get used to. A massive selling point of the Audi was the engine as it’s the only one in the field, which is a V10 and this was what tipped us over the edge to get one.
“It’s fantastic to have Nippy’s onboard again as my major sponsor. They have supported my racing since I started in go karts so this is our 12th year together.
“I’ve known Daniel for a long time having grown up racing karts with him. We’ve come together to do this GT4 program, so I’m pretty excited and optimistic that we can be competitive.
“I’ve known Aaron Steer at Jam Motorsport for a while, which completes a pretty good team for our first season. We know each other very well and work well together.
“I don’t think there is any reason why we can’t be fighting for wins. Daniel and I form a great line-up, so as long as the Audi can run competitively we will be right up there.”
Daniel Price
Nippy’s Audi R8 LMS GT4
“I think I was there on Blake’s first day at the kart track and the relationship grew out of that leading to us travelling together,” Price said.
“I got offered the chance to drive the Super2 and GT at the Aussie Driver Search after my karting career, so I was going in blind. I ended up finishing runner up in the GT competition in Sydney and that’s where I started to pursue a few more circuit racing opportunities.
“I’ve raced competitively in Aussie Racing Cars and Formula 3, so I’m excited to help Blake progress his career in GT4.
“The competitive level of the GT4 is one of the attractive points of the category and it’s nice to know we have a pairing that can be at least on par with the frontrunners already contesting. If we work hard in our pre-season testing, it may just put us at an advantage compared to our opposition.
“Jam Motorsport is an elite operation and when Brett mentioned the team was going to be part of the program, you can’t really turn it down.”