The new innovative Racing Together project begins this weekend with around 40 girls and boys aged between 12 and 16 from the Logan area expected to attend the project’s first stage at Norwell Motorplex.

 

Launched in August as a way to help young Indigenous Australians develop a career in motorsport, the pilot program’s open day will take place for around three hours at the circuit this Saturday afternoon, introducing the participants into the world of motorsport.

 

With Bathurst 1000 winner Paul Morris running the open day, participants will undergo a series of tests and exercises throughout the afternoon, which includes racing in both a simulator and on track, a hand/eye coordination test, manual dexterity test and a mock media interview.

 

As a result of the pilot program, candidates will then be identified to progress to an official two-day program at Norwell on 24-25 October, which will see a team driver and crew members selected to take part in an appropriate racing series next year.

 

Not only will the team be supported with a competitive car for the series, but all technical and logistical facilities, tuition and travel costs will be covered, with the potential of team members to build their own car.

 

Program organisers Garry and Monique Connelly, along with Logan-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation Gunya Meta, intend for the program to extend Australia wide, as well as potentially introduce the ultimate prize for a place in the Ferrari Development Academy (Asia Pacific) program, which includes circuit racing in an FIA Formula 4 race car.

 

The first stage of the Racing Together program takes place at Norwell Motorsport in Queensland from 1pm-4pm AEST on Saturday, 3 October.