Racing Together triumphs in Darwin

Wednesday 19 June, 2024
Kade Davey leads the Combined Sedans support event at Hidden Valley, NT
Indigenous youth team, Racing Together, has achieved their first victory since the program’s inception at the 2024 Darwin Triple Crown. 
 
Sixteen-year-old Hyundai Excel driver Kade Davey, who initially qualified in second place, claimed a clean sweep of the three races and brought home a victory in the Excel class of the Combined Sedans events.
 
Teammate Karlai Warner, despite battling an illness, progressively improved her lap times and secured a seventh, fifth, and sixth place over the weekend.  
 
The two high school students were accompanied by five Indigenous teammates from the team’s Queensland Raceway base, and two local Indigenous mechanical students.

Screenshot 2024-06-19 at 3.35.17 PM
 
Warner and Davey visited Casuarina College, speaking to 40 Indigenous students from the Stars (girls) and Clontarf (boys) programs, about the opportunities in motorsport and the importance of STEM education. 
 
Their visit also included a radio and television appearance, and was highlighted by a special presentation of new race suits from Triple Eight Team Principal Jamie Whincup and Supercars driver Broc Feeney.
 
Reflecting on the team's success, long-time member Karlai Warner expressed her gratitude for the support received in Darwin. 
 
“We are hugely grateful to NT Events for assisting us in getting to this amazing event. We not only enjoyed the racing and the atmosphere at the track but also had the opportunity to see some of the spectacular sights of Darwin,” Warner said. 

Screenshot 2024-06-19 at 3.34.45 PM
 
Kade Davey was excited for the opportunity to speak to the younger generations about the Racing Together program. 
 
“We also had the opportunity to meet the local competitors and to share our experiences with them,” Davey said. 
 
“But in addition to my first win in Excels, I was greatly inspired by the enthusiasm of the students we spoke to on Thursday and hope that our success within the team motivates them to seek a career in motorsport.”
  
Garry Connelly AM, who founded Racing Together in 2020 alongside wife Monique Connelly, praised the team's progress and dedication. 
 
“This result was the climax of many, many weekends’ dedicated work by the wonderful Indigenous young people who form Racing Together,” Connelly said.

“My co-founder and wife Monique and I have watched with great pride as these girls and boys have expanded their physical and life skills since joining the program,” Connelly said.
 
“Supported by professional racing mentors from the Supercars world including Paul Morris, Dr Ryan Story and Roland Dane, they’re on their way to rewarding careers in motorsport and associated industries.”
 
Motorsport Australia App

Download the Motorsport Australia App