The Racing Together program has received a major boost ahead of its second race meeting next month with beach volleyball champion Taliqua Clancy joining as a mentor.

 

The Commonwealth Games silver medallist has also agreed to take on a role as a Director on the program’s Board, becoming the first indigenous member to do so.

 

The program, created to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teenagers get involved in motorsport, selected 10 indigenous teenagers from the Brisbane region last year and helped them build a low-cost Hyundai Excel car, which they are running in this year’s Series X3 Queensland Series.

 

Having made a name for herself in beach volleyball, Clancy has a wealth of experience in the sport, a highlight being the first indigenous Australian beach volleyball player to represent her country at an Olympic Games when she competed at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

 

Clancy has also had a lot of success throughout her career, winning a silver medal at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and a bronze medal at the 2019 World Championships in 2019, as well as a host of gold medals in beach volleyball world tours.

 

The Queenslander is now preparing to take on this year’s Tokyo Olympics alongside Mariafe Artacho Del Solar - the duo currently ranked fifth in the world.

 

Racing Together co-founder Monique Connelly was thrilled to have Clancy as part of the team.

 

“As one of Australia’s most successful indigenous sports people, Taliqua will be an invaluable addition to the Board as the Racing Together project continues to develop, and an inspirational mentor to our young team members,” Connelly said.

 

Clancy will serve on the Racing Together Board alongside a number of high-profile individuals, including founders Garry Connelly AM and Monique Connelly, Supercar team bosses Ryan Story, Paul Morris and Roland Dane and former RACQ Chief Executive Officer Ian Gillespie AM.
 

 

The team had its first ever race meeting in March at Morgan Park as part of the Motorsport Australia Queensland Circuit Championships and will return to Warwick for the second round on 5-6 June.