Despite running a lean and budget-conscious operation, Dean Campbell and Cameron Crick have been making waves in Monochrome GT4 Australia's Silver-Am class.
With four events now complete for the season, the pair have picked up multiple wins throughout the year and currently sit second on the class standings – just 10 points behind class leaders Aaron Seton and Jason Gomersall.
In contrast to the majority of the Monochrome GT4 Australia field, Campbell and Crick attend rounds with a traditional Ute and trailer set up for their DA Campbell Transport Ford Mustang GT4 – highlighting the team’s ability to be competitive amongst the bigger stature outfits in the category.
“Overall, Monochrome GT4 Australia has been great even if it's tough with a minimal budget, but we're getting by and we’re having fun,” Campbell said.
“It has definitely been a challenge, because not only are the Silver class guys very tough to race, but so are the Ams. There's a lot of Ams who aren’t slouches as they have been racing for a long time, so everyone is really good and are there to win so it’s hard.
“With that said, I don't get jealous of some of the budgets and trucks of other drivers. I admire what other people have done and where they are in the sport.
“At this point in time we're doing it on a small budget and with a small group of guys, but it's nice to take it up to the teams that have got the bigger budgets.
“I think the competition in GT4 is a lot stronger than other categories, there are more cars and I just think that's where that's where it's at the minute and how it will stay.”
Although that passion and desire to take on the bigger teams is a big element to Campbell and Crick’s success so far, their equal-class high win rate of three victories doesn’t come as a coincidence as Campbell and Crick have spent many years racing together.
The pair started racing together in Production Cars while Crick was in the Toyota 86s before he jumped to SuperUtes, with the New South Welshman has taken on a mentor role for Campbell, helping him improve his skills behind the wheel.
The familiarity of racing together, as well as being on the same wave length and having a tight knit group of crew members have all been pivotal in Campbell’s development and the key factors behind the team’s success in the series so far.
“Obviously, we've done this Production car thing together and Cam has had a huge role in getting me up to speed with racing,” Campbell explained.
“I owe Cam a lot. I know he's a lot younger than me, but he has taught me many things about motorsport. Cam is a massive reason why I'm where I am. He's developed massively over the years since I've known him, so I've tried to grow with him.
“Doing GT4 is something I really want to do with Cam. We're good mates and it's become something we like doing together. I'm not saying I won't drive with someone else in the future, but while Cam's around and we're mates as we are, we'll keep doing it.
“In addition to Cam, both of our mechanics have been involved in motorsport prior me, and have a fair bit of experience. We've also got another young engineer on board at the moment who’s quite knowledgeable so it's all coming together.
“In all honesty, I sit back and I do as I'm told because they they're pointing me in the right direction. If I can do what they say, the results turn out to be a lot better.
“I have really enjoyed being in GT4. Going from production cars to GT4 cars that has a better tyre and lot more aero with high speed corners has been a massive learning experience for myself, as well as how to find that extra speed,
“I'm not trying to become a professional but I still want to win as I'm competitive and I want to make the most of it.”
The Monochrome GT4 Australia 2025 season continues next month with GT Festival The Bend at Shell V-Power Motorsport Park on September 5-7.
Dean Campbell and Cameron Crick familiarity key behind strong Monochrome GT4 Australia start
