Mark Fogarty
Release date: June 3, 2021
Supercars’ new “Indigenous Round” in Darwin takes place amid the expanded Melbourne lockdown.
The Triple Crown from June 18th to 20th in Hidden Valley celebrates the culture of the First Nation of Australia and promotes the participation of the indigenous people in motorsport.
The Northern Territory has the highest concentration of indigenous people.
With Melbourne-based Supercars teams moving to NSW for timely access to NT, the Indigenous Round’s plans remain unaffected.
In addition to the Australian-themed team recognitions, Supercars will support Motorsport Australia’s Racing Together initiative to encourage Indigenous Australians to participate in racing.
The initiative mimics the long-established Indigenous Rounds in AFL and Rugby League.
AFL’s groundbreaking commemoration of the nation’s cultural heritage will continue on Saturday with the traditional Essendon v Richmond game “Dream Time”, which is being moved to Perth due to the recent COVID-19 lockdown in Melbourne.
Supercars No.2 Shane Howard confirmed that Darwin would compete as the Indigenous Round this year and in the future.
“We work with the Northern Territory government and their event team,” said Howard. “Tim Watsford’s events team is working to put the platform together to make sure everything is right so we can build on it and maintain it for years to come.
“We’re also going to roll out the concept of Racing Together there, which is obviously about Motorsport Australia to get minorities and indigenous people into motorsport, so we’ll show that at this year’s event.
“The NT government is working on creating artwork for the event so that we can distribute it. It’s nearing completion, so everything is underway. “
Racing Together was founded by Australian FIA representative Garry Connelly and his wife Monique and is supported by Supercars luminaries Roland Dane and Paul Morris.
It is designed to provide a route into motorsport for the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islands ages 12-16.
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