Motor-racing was never on Karlai Warner’s radar.
But when a unique opportunity to be a part of Racing Together’s first-ever all-female Indigenous karting team presented itself, she couldn’t pass it up.
Now, the 15-year-old is the lead driver of the team consisting of four teenage girls of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, and she is set to contest a 10-event program in South-east Queensland in August.
“I’m truly so proud to be part of Indigenous team; I want to show indigenous youth that if you work hard enough and believe in yourself, anything’s possible,” Warner said.
Warner took up karting towards the end of 2020 when she tried alongside 100 Indigenous teams for a coveted spot with “virtually no experience” under her belt. But it didn’t take long before her love for the fast lane was ignited.
“I was so excited to be part of the indigenous team; I had pretty much no experience in mechanics or any knowledge around racing but I’ve got to know a lot of stuff with the mentors at Norwell.
“I just love spending time at the track and I couldn’t imagine myself not being there anymore. If I keep pushing myself and getting out of my comfort zone, then I may be able to do this as a career, and I’d love to.
Warner says Norwell Motorplex is now a second home to her and the friends and mentors she has gained has helped build her confidence in the sport.
“I’ve made so many friends and everyone in the racing team I call family now.
“I’ve learned everything I know about cars and racing from the Norwell guys–they’ve been so good at explaining and teaching me.
“I have really surprised myself and how I’ve improved in such a short amount of time.
“Paul Morris and Nash Morris and Chris Sadler, have been great mentors and have been teaching me everything. I have also learned a lot from the karting side– Michael Patrizi, Dylan and Trent have taught me a lot about karting that is important in racing, too.
Being behind the wheel of the 4SS-class Ricciardo kart and extensive simulator-practice has prepared Warner to drive a second Hyundai Excel in the Series X3 Queensland competition at Morgan Park Raceway within the next couple months.
But in the meantime, she offered some words of advice to anyone looking to get involved in racing.
“Giving your heart out and trying your best is the main thing. You don’t need to even know anything about motorsport, because when I started I didn’t even know who the Formula One drivers were, and I still have achieved a lot and in something that I’ve never thought of.
“Being a female in racing can be definitely quite daunting, particularly because I am still young and I have so much still to learn. But it’s been a great experience so far, and everyone has been so supportive and helpful. I’ve met so many fantastic girls that I can look up to–it’s been great.”
Based at Norwell Motorplex, Racing Together is a not-for-profit organisation that was launched just before the 2021 racing season. It was designed to provide a pathway into motor-racing for teenage girls and boys of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, after co-founders Garry and Monique Connelly recognised there was virtually no Indigenous participation in the sport.
The team of four teenage girls of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background – the first of its kind – will contest a 10-event program in South-east Queensland in 2022, alongside Racing Together’s existing car-racing team.
