Super2 driver Lochie Dalton will return to partner fellow Tasmanian Ben Newman for the Monochrome GT4 Australia Silver-Am title in 2025.
Coming together after some strong showings last year, the pair will contest the full 2025 Monochrome GT4 Australia season behind the wheel of the Buckby Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT4.
The team's Mercedes-AMG GT4 made regular appearances during the 2024 season, with Newman joined by fellow rally driver Eddie Maguire at Phillip island’s inaugural round before experienced racer Beric Lynton co-drove at Queensland Raceway. Dalton eventually joined Newman for the final two events of the season, producing a strong showing at Sydney Motorsport Park and Bathurst.
The Newman and Dalton partnership achieved success almost straight away scoring a podium result in Race 2 at Sydney before taking out the Pro-Am victory at the Bathurst finale.
Dalton is an up and coming driver of the Australian motorsport scene becoming a frontrunner with Tickford Racing in Super2 and racing a Supercars Wildcard last year, while Newman has long history in both tarmac and gravel rally, as well as enjoying small stints in circuit racing over the years.
Newman and Buckby Motorsport expanded into national circuit racing via Monochrome GT4 Australia in 2024.
Buckby Motorsport will begin its pursuit of the Silver-Am Cup title at Monochrome GT4 Australia’s opening round at Phillip Island on April 4-6.
Tickets for the Shannons SpeedSeries GT Festival Phillip Island can be purchased via motorsporttickets.com.au
QUOTES
Ben Newman
Buckby Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT4
“To evolve and get Lochie in the car as one of the best up and coming drivers around, it’s good to have his expertise,” said Newman.
“We also had Blake Adamson from Tickford Racing helping to engineer the car alongside with the Buckby motorsport guys, so it’s risen in professionalism. The biggest thing in a GT4 car is looking and comparing the data is something Lochie is exceptional at, so to have this will be invaluable this year.
“Lochie is a really good co-driver to have and we work well together, plus he’s a Tassie lad.
“No one wants to go backwards and after getting on the podium at the end of last year, I’ve got a taste for it. I want to come out of the box pushing a bit harder.
“We’re teaming up with Randall Racing as well this year, so the Mercedes-AMG will live with those guys and get transported to each event by them.
“It should be fun as the camaraderie is strong within the category and overall good people in the category.”
Lochie Dalton
Buckby Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT4
“I was at a test day and Ben gave me a call asking if I wanted to have a go,” said Dalton.
“I think he initially wanted to do just a test just to see how we would go together. He was pretty happy at the end of the test day and pretty much the partnership has progressed to doing Sydney, then Bathurst and now contesting the season in 2025.
“It’s awesome to see how far Ben has come as he’s only competed in a handful of races and he was fighting for a race win in class at the end of Race 1 at Bathurst.
“We’re both pretty competitive, so the goal will be to try and wrap up the Silver-Am Cup title, which would be pretty cool.
“Judging on the performances at the end of last season, we should give it a good crack and it’s good fun, so I’m looking forward to doing the full year.”