Zagame Autosport has been forced to withdraw its entry from Monochrome GT4 Australia for the foreseeable future but will remain a presence in the paddock as McLaren Customer Racing’s Australian representative.
The team has enjoyed a successful McLaren Artura GT4 program for Josh Buchan and Jason Yu, whp scored multiple podiums in Silver-Am last year.
However, this will not continue for the next two rounds at a minimum due to a leg injury flaring up for Yu, leading to the team putting a pause on its program through his recovery.
The pause to the program leaves two-time TCR Australia Series winner Buchan as a free agent following impressive performances in the Zagame Autosport entry last year that included two wins and a pole position.
Buchan is hoping to continue in Monochrome GT4 Australia as part of a new partnership until Yu can return to action.
In addition to its own McLaren Artura GT4 program, the Victorian based organisation currently provides support to Team Soutar Motorsport, Property Investment Store and reigning Silver Cup winners Method Motorsport in Monochrome GT4 Australia/
Led by Rod Wilson, Zagame Autosport will continue to support its customer alongside its program in Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Australasia fielding four Melbourne dealer entries.
The next round of Monochrome GT4 Australia is at Sydney Motorsport Park on May 2-4.
QUOTES
Rod Wilson
General Manager, Zagame Autosport
“It was our intention to run the whole season, but unfortunately an injury has put the brakes on that,” Wilson said.
“We’ll just focus on Jason’s recovery and get him back in the car as soon as possible. I have no doubt Jason will be back in the car by the end of the season.
“Team Soutar Motorsport has been very busy repairing its McLaren and Zagame Autosport together with McLaren has been supplying parts not just at the opening round, but post-Phillip Island there has been a van full of parts delivered to ensure the squad can be on the grid in Sydney.
“Of course, Anthony Soole’s preparing to shakedown his 570s after finding the electrical gremlin that plagued him at Phillip Island.
“We’ll be at Sydney Motorsport Park with McLaren and also Ferrari Challenge supporting the Melbourne-based program. We’ve got four Ferraris to run and I can also put the McLaren hat on to be even more customer focused in Sydney to provide the support they need.”
Josh Buchan
Zagame Autosport McLaren Artura GT4
“I loved Monochrome GT4 Australia last year," said Buchan.
"I was excited at the first round earlier this month and enjoyed doing it with a great friend in Jason.
“The relationship we’ve built with Zagame Autosport and McLaren is outstanding. It’s disappointing we can’t continue for the foreseeable future, but the health of my friend comes first and if we can’t go racing then that’s the way it is.
“I am available for those rounds and I did have plans to be there. I am a free agent in that respect, so whether it’s in a McLaren or something else, the category provides such a level of performance it gives every car an opportunity. I’d be happy to jump into anything, which came my way knowing I had the opportunity of performing.
“I still do a little bit of coaching externally from racing, but my focus has been on Jason and a few others to have made the transition from track days to the circuit competition. It’s an aspect I do enjoy and I’m good at in terms of bringing my co-driver along with me by getting either on or off track performance, but there’s a lot of things that get left when just trying to figure out how to hit an apex.
“If you’re just a quick driver, you may not offer as much compared to someone who can coach as well as be fast. If the opportunity arose, then that’s part of the job description.”