TRIO OF WAU LIVERIES RELEASED

Walkinshaw Andretti United has also revealed its Indigenous Round livery on the eve of the Darwin Triple Crown Supercars Championship event.

The liveries that WAU driver Chaz Mostert and Nick Percat will run have been designed by KARI foundation’s Brian ‘Deadly’ DeVries, while the teams Wildcard Jayden Ojeda’s livery has been created by Rhonda Sampson.

The connection between WAU and KARI Foundation came about through Mostert’s car sponsor Optus which launched a partnership with KARI foundation in 2018.

DeVries is a proud Wiradjuri Gunya man with ties to the Yuin Nation. DeVries is very passionate about sharing Aboriginal culture through traditional art, dance, and music.

DeVries uses painting as a platform for storytelling, as it provides a connection between people, places and environment.

The design seen on the Mostert and Percat’s ZB Commodores was originally created to honour of the collaboration between Optus and KARI Foundation, is titled ‘Community Togetherness.’

Chaz Mostert’s Optus sponsored car will be hard to miss in in Darwin

It captures the journeys of travel coming together, the meeting places, the ripples of communication and the knowledge that is shared and is always plentiful.

Rhonda Sampson is a proud Kamilaroi woman who lives on Dharawal country in South Western Sydney.

Art is central to Rhonda’s cultural identity, and she is passionate about sharing this with all people, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous so they can come together on the journey of understanding Aboriginal culture, stories and identity.

Ojeda’s #27 machine will feature artwork, ‘Community, Culture and Connection,’ and is a visual representation of the KARI Foundation and all their partners’ commitment to showcase Aboriginal excellence through the shared vision, mission, and values of the KARI Foundation.

The motif at the centre of the artwork represents the KARI Foundation and the many partners they collaborate with.

Surrounding the motif are the seven pillars of connection: leadership, education, family and community, employment and business enterprise, sports and healthy lifestyle, creative and performing arts and procurement.

The seven pillars provide points of connection and entry for Aboriginal people and culture to enrich community life.

Jayden Ojeda’s livery for his second Wildcard

“It’s fantastic to be able to celebrate the contribution of our indigenous community across all three of our cars this weekend for Indigenous Round,” said WAU Team Principal Bruce Stewart.

“The KARI Foundation has been phenomenal to work with, and it’s been fantastic to build on the relationship Optus started with them in 2019. We appreciate the connection.

“This is something that has been supported by not only everyone in our team, but our entire partner group, which is really cool to see.

“The grid will look fantastic, we have a number of initiatives we can’t wait to bring to life over the course of the weekend, in what is a really important weekend for everyone involved.”

Nick Percat’s car like the other WUA machines was photographed on the pit straight of the Hidden Valley Circuit

KARI was established in 1999 through the creation of KARI Limited, which has long supported the Aboriginal community by designing and delivering quality programming and services.

Today, KARI Limited continues to be a leader in the space of Aboriginal child protection.

“KARI Foundation is excited to work with two of our partners Optus and Walkinshaw Andretti United to deliver these amazing designs and also continue the conversation about reconciliation,” said KARI Foundation COO Cain Slater.

“Sport plays an important role in celebrating First Nations people and Culture and we are proud to work with both Optus and Walkinshaw Andretti United for this important round.”

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