Kade Davey becomes first Indigenous Australian to drive Gen3 car
Teenager lapped Shell V-Power Racing Team Mustang at Queensland Raceway
Davey is currently contesting this year's GR Cup Series, sits eighth
Rising star Kade Davey has become the first Indigenous Australian racer to drive a Gen3 Supercar.
The 18-year-old, who is of Martu and Manyjilyjarra heritage, got behind the wheel of a Shell V-Power Racing Team Mustang on Friday. Davey was supported by team crew and Todd Hazelwood on the day.
Davey is contesting this year's GR Cup series. Friday’s drive was facilitated through Dick Johnson Racing’s partnership with Racing Together.
Racing Together, spearheaded by Garry and Monique Connelly, is a non-profit organisation which aims to create opportunities and pathways for young Indigenous Australians into motorsport and STEM.
Davey, a Western Australia Karting Champion, has been part of the Racing Together family since 2023.
He graduated to racing cars with Racing Together, first to Hyundai Excels, before racing in the GR Cup and its second-tier Scholarship Series.
“It was pretty unreal," Davey said of the Gen3 drive.
"Growing up as a kid, you're always watching Supercars and DJR is one of the teams that I went for growing up – and still do.
"To get behind the wheel of the Supercar, it was pretty crazy. I'm definitely going to be thinking about it for the next couple of weeks now.
“Supercars is definitely the long-term goal. I'm still in GR Cup at the moment so I've still got such a long, long journey to go, but that would be the ultimate goal."
Davey, who works at Paul Morris’ Norwell Motorplex, added: “Prior to getting into car racing, I was doing go-karting at the national level, and then we found out about the Racing Together program through Michael Patrizi.
"My mum and I got in contact with Garry and Monique Connelly. Without their support and the support of all our sponsors, I wouldn't be here doing this today. I’m definitely very, very grateful for all of that."
Connelly said: "We are extremely excited and grateful to the Shell V-Power Racing Team and my friend and fellow board member Ryan Story for this great opportunity offered to Kade.
"Kade represents all that Racing Together stands for and sitting behind the wheel of that Ford Mustang is not just an honour for him, it's an honour for our entire Racing Together team. Seeing Kade out on track as the first Indigenous Australian to drive a Supercar gives us a great sense of pride and hope for the future."
Dr Story said: “We very proudly support Racing Together and have for a long time. Kade is having a great season in the 86 and I was particularly impressed with his drive in Townsville, not to mention last week here at QR.
"To be able to give him this opportunity along with my friends Garry and Monique Connelly, is very special. It highlights the success of the team and program, and rewards the hard work of all involved.”
For more information on the Racing Together program, head to its website: https://racingtogether.org/.
