Indigenous youth inspired at Albert Park
Members from Australia's first Indigenous motorsport team, Racing Together, have taken part in a once-in-a-lifetime experience at Albert Park.
The Racing Together programme aims to help pave the way for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth to become involved in motorsport.
Along with Motorsport Australia and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, the non-for-profit organisation facilitated special tours of both the Supercars and Formula 1 paddocks.
Five Indigenous teenagers enjoyed a rare insight into the top levels of motorsport, visiting team garages, observing pit stops and tyre-changing operations.
Across the four-day event, two girls and three boys aged 15-18 met Sir Lewis Hamilton and other Formula 1 personalities.
The group also visited the podium before Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was crowned the grand prix winner.
Racing Together Chairman and co-founder Garry Connelly AM believes the experience will inspire all the teenagers involved.
“Racing Together was formed late in 2020 because there have been no Indigenous participants in Australian motorsport, despite the huge opportunities it offers,” Mr Connelly said.
“These young people are part of the first group to be fully supported by our charity as they learn about the sport and run their own car and kart racing teams under the volunteer guidance of some of Australia’s most experienced professionals.
“Formula 1 and Supercars have opened their arms to this unique concept and were generous with invitations across the grand prix weekend.
“To meet Lewis Hamilton, Sir Jackie Stewart, Mark Webber and several F1 team managers and to receive their support and encouragement was an unforgettable experience for our five representatives.
“They’ll now return to the task of preparing their Hyundai Excel and Ricciardo kart at Norwell Motorplex in Queensland with even greater enthusiasm and determination.”
It comes after Viva Energy, sponsor of the Shell V-Power Racing Team, partnered with Racing Together last year to expand its operations across Australia.
Several high-profile members of the Supercars fraternity have joined the Racing Together initiative, including Shell V-Power Racing boss Ryan Story, Triple Eight Race Engineering founder Roland Dane, and 2014 Bathurst winner Paul Morris.
Racing Together also is supported by Indigenous organisation Gunya Meta and the national governing authority Motorsport Australia.
The programme will be opening applications for the second intake later this year.
Click here for more information on the Racing Together programme.
