Monochrome GT4 Australia has announced youngster and junior Victorian driver Jay Murray as the newest member of the McElrea Racing team, with the 16-year-old to make his on-track debut later this month at GT Festival Sandown alongside father Nathan in the McElrea-prepared Morris BMW M4 GT4 G82 EVO.

Murray successfully passed several team tests before getting the green light to join McElrea Racing, resulting in a team spot for the rest of the season.

“It’s very exciting that I will be making my official motorsport debut at Sandown Raceway in Monochrome GT4 Australia alongside my dad,” Murray said.

“I will admit that my journey in motorsport has been quite rapid, but obviously I have been hitting the targets set for me and I feel ready to make the step up into cars from karting.

“I don’t think there is a better category for me to begin my official racing career in than Monochrome GT4 Australia, and I am looking forward to racing alongside my dad.

“A big thank you to my parents and to Andy McElrea for having the confidence in me to succeed. I believe I will make them proud and I am keen to showcase my talent on the national stage.”

GT Festival Sandown will be Jay’s Monochrome GT4 Australia debut, and also his first drive in a car, given Jay only graduated from karting earlier this year.

Jay’s three-year junior career mostly spent in karting was highlighted by a range of top 10 finishes in the KZ2 class both within Australia and New Zealand, making his rise up the ranks impressive since making a late start to motorsport.

“Obviously, there is the saying that to be good at something, you have to have 10,000 hours doing it, and Jay has been spending a lot of time on the simulator, so I am extremely comfortable that he will come in and do a solid job,” his father Nathan said.

“I also think Monochrome GT4 Australia is the perfect category to step in and learn the sport at a good level. I am still learning and I have done the opening three rounds, so I will continue to learn and I am sure Jay will too.”

Andy McElrea led Jay’s testing in the lead-up to his selection, which he stated ended up a major success as the teenager proved his capabilities behind the wheel.

“We did an evaluation on Jay at Morgan Park last month in what was his first time in the car ever. He blew us away with his maturity and pace, so it was an easy decision to get him in the car,” McElrea said.

“He then completed another two test days at Queensland Raceway and it was quite spectacular to watch his progress over the course of both days.

“The kid has an old head on young shoulders and has shown extreme maturity both in and out of the car.

The Shannons SpeedSeries’ GT Festival Sandown at the famous Sandown International Raceway takes place on 25-27 July, where Jay makes his car debut.

Tickets for the fourth round of the 2025 season are available for purchase at speedseries.com.au/tickets