For the first time in its history, the Monochrome GT4 Australia Series will join the grid for the popular Fight in the Night race at Queensland Raceway as part of Shannons SpeedSeries next month.
Joining the Mobil 1 Australian Production Cars across the weekend once again for 2023 – the series will have a rare opportunity of racing under the night sky in Ipswich for the popular endurance race.
This will be the 10th running of the popular race since its debut at the circuit in 2012, where Garry Holt and Ryan McLeod became the first of now more than 10 different winners to etch their names in the race’s history.
With many of the category regulars expected to return for the third round of the season, current series leader Shane Smollen has competed under the lights at QR in the past and was looking forward to bringing the new category to the exciting format.
“I’m definitely excited to get out on track under the lights,” Smollen said.
“It is great for the category, with the bright lights, glowing brake disks, and the involvement of re-fuelling and pit stops its guaranteed to be a brilliant experience.
“The extra spectacle of Fight in the Night is headline grabbing, it’s an interesting twist that is different from normal running and it seems to be a contributing factor to a growing number of buyers on the category, both from a supporter and participant point of view, it just makes sense.”
Both the Monochrome GT4 Australia Series and the Mobil 1 Australian Production Cars previously competed under the lights at Sydney Motorsport Park in June as part of the first round of the Shannons Trophy Series.
But this time around, the race distance will be more than double, providing a great opportunity for young and old to take on a new challenge.
“You can’t overthink it, it’s a great chance for younger guys to step up, and there will be plenty of older guys with more experience so I think it will be the category of choice,” Smollen explained.
“We had a run under lights at SMSP last time out which went well, and we were able to walk away with a win.
“It’s good to see a growing field a continuation of mix match manufactural presence, so bring it on.”
The combined Monochrome GT4 Australia and Mobil 1 Australian Production Cars is one of six national categories to feature at Queensland Raceway in August and will take the track for three races across the weekend.
The Series will light up Queensland’s most premier motorsport facilities on Saturday 12 August at 5:55pm AEST.
The fifth round of the Shannons SpeedSeries will take place at Queensland Raceway on 11-13 August.
