Two Monochrome GT4 Australia rising stars have enjoyed a unique experience at BMW M Motorsport in Germany with Jay Murray and Ryder Quinn featuring in the special selection days for the Academy’s development program of GT4 drivers.
Held at BMW’s headquarters in Munich, Murray and Quinn were two of 12 young drivers from around the world to feature in the two-day selection process where they were tested on their mental and physical fitness, while getting their skills behind the wheel assessed via simulator and driving sessions.
In addition to the fitness evaluations, interviews and driving activities, the 12 participants also enjoyed an in-depth look behind the scenes of the prestigious BMW and BMW M Motorsport operations.
Both drivers entered the selection program off the back of a memorable year in Monochrome GT4 Australia, with each enjoying plenty of impressive moments throughout the 2025 season.
In what was his second season in the series after an impressive debut campaign in 2024, Quinn once again played a key role alongside Steve Jakic in the Thunder Buddies Racing BMW M4 GT4, securing four podiums before an unforgettable last-to-first victory at GT Festival The Bend to finish the year on a high.
Murray, on the other hand, made his official Monochrome GT4 Australia debut midway through the season having highly impressed during a series of test days with McElrea Racing, despite having only just graduated from karting. The teenager then joined father, Nathan in the team’s BMW M4 GT4 EVO for the final three rounds.
In attending the selection days, both Murray and Quinn followed in the footsteps of Ashley Seward Motorsport’s Cody Burcher, who was one of the inaugural 12 to participate in the selection days for this year’s program.
The pair now await their fate following a successful run at the selection days, with limited positions available in the academy’s 2026 development program.
Should either of them make it through to the academy, they will be treated to a life-changing program where they will work closely with BMW M works drivers and receive insights into the FIA WEC and IMSA works programs, as well as the support of Formula Medicine to work on their mental and physical fitness.
This year saw BMW M Racing Academy hold its first-ever development program after selecting four drivers at the end of 2024 following an extensive selection program, which was attended by Ashley Seward Motorsport’s Cody Burcher from the Australasia region.
The shortlist of drivers to make the Class of 2026 BMW M Racing Academy will be announced in the coming weeks.
QUOTES
Ryder Quinn
Thunder Buddy Racing
“It was such an awesome opportunity to go over to Germany and take part in the two-day camp Getting to meet some of the guys in Rob, Max, and Jens and building that relationship – I feel like I can bounce ideas off them a little bit now,” Quinn said.
“There were 12 drivers from 10 different nations and it was awesome to work with them for that period. It’ll be a great thing if I get selected, but even if I don’t, a big part of the experience for me was everything I learned along the way.
"The biggest thing I took away was the family environment BMW has embraced. From what I saw, it definitely feels like everyone is serious when they need to be, but everyone was super friendly. I really appreciate that sort of environment; it’s the kind of place I thrive and excel in.
“BMW is such a major manufacturer in the world and being able to go through their facilities and bounce off everyone there was super cool. It’s something I’m really glad I got to experience.”
“It showed me the level of professionalism you need to have and how far Australian motorsport has to go get to that level across a number of elements, but it’s something that I will never forget.”
Jay Murray
McElrea Racing
“Going to Germany for the BMW M Motorsport selection days was an awesome experience, especially being one of 12 people from around the world to take part," Murray said.
"There were a lot of cool elements, but some that stuck out for me was the driving experience, where I learnt a lot about myself and car control as well.
“I was extremely grateful for the opportunity to be put forward then it was quite surreal to be part of the 12 to be honest. Being able to do it in such a short period of time as well, having had limited experience in the car was incredible.
“BMW M Motorsport headquarters was definitely a highlight too and I learned a lot of things there to be honest, like seeing how the factory team does it and the level that they operate on over there was truly remarkable.
"We'll have to wait and see. I put everything on the table and hopefully that brought me enough to get into the academy for next year, but we'll just have to wait and find out.”