Sydney-based businessman Adrian Lee is set to make his racing debut in GT4 Australia. Image: Supplied
Behind the wheel of an ex-TekworkX Motorsport Porsche 718 Cayman GT4, the pair are entered in the Am Cup as they each make their national debut.
For Lee, however, not only will the event mark his first time on the national stage, but it will also be his official racing debut, with his previous experience coming through track days and super sprints.
Lee snatched the rare opportunity to go racing when the Cayman was put up for sale earlier this year.
“I’m very excited, but also pretty nervous because this is kind of my first racing event,” Lee said.
“Charlie and I know each other through a group that does a lot of track days, and some of the other guys in our group have done GT4 races and Ferrari Challenge, so it just sounded like the next thing to do.
“Charlie offered to hold my hand and take me through it, which was great.
“With my businesses mostly under new management, I had more time, and I think it’s always been one of those boyhood boxes you want to tick.
“We’re not going into it expecting to set the world on fire – if we can finish the race with a straight car and not come last, we’ll be pretty happy. I’ve done track days and a few super sprints, but this will be my first door-to-door racing experience.
“From what I understand, GT4 is a really well-organised category with some good opportunities for amateurs, but the competition is still pretty tough because there are some very fast drivers in the Pro categories.”
State-level racer Charlie Khoury will make his national racing debut in GT4 Australia. Image: Supplied
Khoury will serve as co-driver and team manager, having been in the sport for half a decade.
While most of his experience has come in SuperTT, Khoury has raced in the Bathurst 6 Hour – most recently with MC Corsa alongside Brent Wilson and Edan Thornburrow – and in several other state-based categories and standalone events.
This year he piloted his modified Honda Civic to a race win in the SuperTT event at the 6 Hour, triumphing over several TCR-spec cars.
“I’ve been doing some door-to-door racing in my own Honda Civic for about five years. It’s had a bit of work done, so it’s not a standard car, and I’ve done a lot of MRA, a couple of Sports Sedans events, a little bit of IPRA and raced at Bathurst a couple of times,” Khoury said.
“Monochrome GT4 Australia is a good category and there seems to be plenty of good drivers in there and, even though our car isn’t a current-spec car, it fits well in the category and it’s one of the better categories we can run that car in.
“Adrian wanted a co-driver and thought I was a suitable candidate, so I’m just happy to come along. We’re really there for the fun.
“My goal for the event is to have a straight car at the end of the day, finish both races with a smile on our faces and not come last – that’ll be a good result.
“Other than the Bathurst 6 Hour, I haven’t competed in a national series before, so we’re just there for a good time.”
Monochrome GT4 Australia heads to Sydney Motorsport Park as part of the Shannons SpeedSeries GT Festival Sydney on September 18-20.