Following two solid campaigns in Monochrome GT4 Australia, Steve Jakic and Ryder Quinn will go around for a full season as they look to secure the Silver-Am class title on board their Thunder Buddies Racing / Black Diamond Racing BMW M4 GT4 G82.
Since joining the series midway through the 2024 season with TekworkX Motorsport, the duo have enjoyed plenty of success across both campaigns, with their first year saw them record two class wins and a further six class podiums, earning them a second-place finish for the year.
A shortened year in 2025 where they participated in just four of the six rounds saw them finish fourth for the year, however, Jakic and Quinn still managed to rack up four podiums and a memorable victory at The Bend where the latter charged his way through the whole GT4 Australia field to cross the line first.
Quinn’s remarkable form in the series saw him invited to a two-day evaluation at BMW M Motorsport in Germany before being selected as one of three drivers to be featured in the BMW M Racing Academy’s Class of 2026.
As a result of being selected, Quinn 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 his mental and physical fitness.
Outside of his successful stint in Monochrome GT4 Australia, Quinn has started just shy of 150 races since making his car debut at state level in 2021, competing in a number of top-level categories including Australian Formula Ford Series, Formula Regional Oceania Championship, Aussie Racing Cars and Porsche Carrera Cup Australia, while also debuting in the Bathurst 12 Hour earlier this year.
His most successful run came in Formula Ford, where he picked up multiple wins and podiums – cementing himself as one of the great young talents in the country.
As for Jakic, the majority of his racing experience came in Aussie Racing Cars where he ran part-time across multiple seasons, his best finish being an eighth-place finish for the year in 2023. Since linking up with Ryder, Jakic has continually improved across his two years and will be looking to build on the progress this year as the duo look to run their own operation in 2026.
The pair begin their third season with Monochrome GT4 Australia at the LIQUI MOLY GT Festival Phillip Island on 27-29 March.
QUOTES
Steve Jakic
#3 Thunder Buddies Racing BMW M4 GT4 G82
“After the way we finished last year, we’re pretty pumped to be back. We’re looking forward to having some fun and hopefully building on that momentum with some more success,” Jakic said.
“We’re locked in for the full season and really excited about it. The support from BMW has been fantastic, and Monochrome GT4 Australia itself has been great for us, so it was an easy decision to return and we’re really happy.”
“It’s fantastic to have Ryder alongside me again. I’m really proud of the development he’s shown over the past two years. We’re focused on supporting him and helping him secure bigger opportunities, so hopefully he can continue making some waves and make us all proud.
“Last year was a strong field as well, and you’re always racing within your class while also trying to improve yourself every time you’re out there. For us, it’s about continual progress.
“We don’t get a lot of time for testing because we’re working full-time, so we generally roll out on Thursday and get straight into it. That’s why by Sunday we’re usually much stronger, once I’ve had that extra seat time in the car, I feel much better.
“So for me, there aren’t too many expectations for the year. First and foremost, we go racing to have fun, and because we are usually at the track with family and friends, if we can leave the weekend with a smile on our faces, that’s what matters most. Anything else on top of that is a bonus.”
Ryder Quinn
#3 Thunder Buddies Racing BMW M4 GT4 G82
“This year will be Steve and my third season together, and after missing a few rounds in previous years, which hurt our points, we’re committing to a full campaign in 2026 and going all-in for the Silver-Am Cup title. That’s the goal,” Quinn said.
“Both of us have developed a lot over the past few seasons. Steve has come a long way since our first year together in 2023 and is in a really strong place now. With the support of the BMW M Racing Academy as well, I’m confident we’re well prepared and I’m looking forward to continuing to learn from the team in Munich.
“This will be my fifth year in motorsport and Steve’s third, so compared to some of the drivers who have been competing for a decade or more, we’re still building experience. But we’re stepping up in other ways too.
“In 2026, we’ll run our own operation under Thunder Buddies Racing, without support from another team. It will be a new challenge, and I’ll take on multiple roles within the team, but everyone will be pitching in to give us the best possible chance of success.
“The field is shaping up to be more than 30 cars this year, which is fantastic for Monochrome GT4 Australia. It’s going to be incredibly competitive, but we believe we’ll be in strong shape by the end of the season. I’m really looking forward to what’s ahead.”