RACING TOGETHER DRIVERS CHOSEN

Racing Together drivers chosen – Photo: Supplied

Racing Together, the program designed to create an Indigenous motor racing team, has selected the 11 members of its squad.

By DAN McCARTHY

The group of 11 are all from Logan just south of Brisbane and were chosen by a panel of experts out of more than 30 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants.

Each driver took part in several assessments at the Norwell Motorplex, the challenges included driving and mechanical aptitude tests.

The selected team members now plan the build of their Hyundai Excel race car under the guidance of Racing Together founders Garry and Monique Connelly, 2014 Bathurst 1000 winner and Norwell Motorplex operator Paul Morris and Gunya Meta Indigenous mentor Michael Orcher.

In 2021 the car will be entered into the X3 Circuit Excel Racing Series allowing Australia’s first indigenous racing team a chance to develop in motorsport.

“There is currently no representation of our indigenous people in motorsport in Australia,” said Formula 1 race steward Garry Connelly.

“A few months ago, we decided to do something about it, and we decided to sponsor a pilot program to bring kids 12 to 16, boys and girls, into motorsport.

“The next step will be to start building a Hyundai Excel to compete next year. We may use different drivers at different events. While the build is occurring, the drivers will do intensive training under Paul Morris and his team at Norwell.”

The Racing Together project hopes to eventually expand into level motorsport with the goal of putting an indigenous driver into the prestigious Ferrari Academy (Asia Pacific).

Connelly said the weekend program at Norwell was a great success.

“The enthusiasm of the participants was high at the start but grew by the hour as they drove a number of track activities in dry and wet conditions,” he explained.

“We did classroom sessions on road safety, car construction and design, first aid, personal health and conditioning and learning also about how to become an official.”

Braedyn Cidoni aged 16 and Karlai Warner, 14, were both chosen as drivers within the 11, but team members may have a chance to turn at the wheel.

“We’ll see how they all develop. Some of them also have excellent mechanical abilities,” Connelly said.

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