A team of First Nations girls is gearing up to take on motorsports.
Four teenagers have been picked for the karting team, which is the first all-female First Nations team, and will compete across south-east Queensland in a 10-event series in 2022.
15-year-old Kabi Kabi and Waka Waka driver Karlai Warner said she's keen to get on the track, and grateful she was selected for the team.
"I'm looking forward to racing," she told NITV News.
"It's pretty surprising that I've been selected to be the driver and I get to practice on the karts."
While the adrenaline rush and the fun of racing is a big part of the program, for Karlai it's about so much more.
(Front) Amber Rahurahu, Karlai Warner and Ayesha Burke are part of the racing team; (back) MP Lance McCallum and Olympian Taliqua Clancy. Source: Supplied: Carina Napier
"This course has helped me by getting me out of my comfort zone and meeting new people," she said.
"I'm having a go at things I've never tried before."
'Creating opportunity'
Wulli Wulli Olympian Taliqua Clancy announced the program.
She said she's proud of the team, and how much they've grown and honed their skills through the project.
"I've been that 16-year-old athlete who came down for the national program," Ms Clancy said.
"It's so nice to hear Karlai, the driver, say (this program is) creating opportunity.
"I think that's what Racing Together is all about, and that's awesome."
Ms Clancy said she's eager to see their skills on the track develop further as they head into the competition next year.
"This is super important, not just for sport and opportunities for our young Indigenous people," she said.
"It's really incredible to have them supporting the female Indigenous opportunities.
"I can't wait to see them out there, going around on the kart, it's such a great opportunity."
