Racing Together begins Toyota racing journey

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: August 4, 2023

Indigenous youth motorsport program, Racing Together, will make its debut in the Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia Scholarship Series at Queensland Raceway this weekend.

Sixteen year old teen Karlai Warner will be behind the wheel of the team’s Toyota 86 in the Motorsport Australia Trophy Series event.

Warner will be taking on the series which made its debut at Sydney Motorsport Park on June 16-18.

The opening round attracted 31 cars with Max Geoghegan the ultimate pacesetter winning all three races.

It marks a step up for the Racing Together program which was started in late 2020 by Gary and Monique Connelly to provide a pathway for Indigenous youth into motorsport.

Since then Racing Together has built, prepared and raced a car in the Queensland Excel Racing Series.

The Racing Together team with Karlai Warner’s car that will compete in the Toyota 86 Scholarship Series this weekend.

Gary Connelly is looking forward to the next challenge for the program.

“Racing and helping prepare a Toyota 86 will take the team to whole new level and we’re really looking forward to a weekend of thrilling racing action,” he said.

“Over the past three years Karlai has developed a real talent behind the wheel and she and the team are excited about being able to put their skills to test in such a highly-regarded grassroots motorsport category.

“Our thanks go to Toyota for providing this opportunity that will help grow the skills and experience of the team and further inspire other indigenous kids to see what opportunities there are for them in motorsport.”

Warner initially joined the program as a tyre technician and a go-kart racer and she is excited to put her skills to the test in a Toyota 86.

“Racing Together has taught me new skills, allowed me to race, and meet so many new people, which would never have happened if the program did not exist,” Karlai said.

“It’s been great racing the Excel but this opportunity to drive a Toyota 86 in a series that is recognised as a pathway to higher levels of motorsport is fantastic so I’m really looking forward some great racing,”

The Toyota 86 Scholarship Series is joined by Precision National Sports Sedans, Australian Formula Open, Radical Cup and Hyundai Excels this weekend with racing beginning on Saturday.

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Racing Together begins Toyota racing journey

The opening round attracted 31 cars with Max Geoghegan the ultimate pacesetter winning all three races.

Gary Connelly is looking forward to the next challenge for the program.

“Our thanks go to Toyota for providing this opportunity that will help grow the skills and experience of the team and further inspire other indigenous kids to see what opportunities there are for them in motorsport.”

“Racing Together has taught me new skills, allowed me to race, and meet so many new people, which would never have happened if the program did not exist,” Karlai said.

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