Penrite Racing Unveils Indigenous Livery Celebrating Culture and Education

As Round 5 of the Repco Supercars Championships approaches in Darwin, set on Larrakia Country for the 2024 Betr Darwin Triple Crown from June 14-16, Penrite Racing proudly unveils a new livery dedicated to celebrating Indigenous culture. Acknowledging and respecting the Traditional Custodians of the land, the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation, Penrite Racing pays homage to Elders past, present, and emerging.

The new livery design embodies the spirit of Indigenous upbringing and culture, nurtured through their ongoing partnership with the Melbourne Indigenous Transition School (MITS) over the past 3 years. MITS, based on Wurundjeri Country in Richmond, is a school and boarding program for Indigenous students from remote communities across the Northern Territory and Victoria. This commitment to honoring Indigenous culture and advancing education demonstrates Penrite Racing’s dedication to social responsibility and community empowerment.

Two talented Year 9 students from MITS, Emma and Hoanna, applied their creative talents to give life to this project, crafting artwork that mirrors their personal stories and cultural ties. Their designs, rich with symbolism, echo the significance of family, connection to Country, and the transformative power of education. In the words of Emma, one of the student designers, “I feel so proud and excited that Hoanna and my artwork is going to be going around a racetrack. It’s a very special track that my family and I have visited for as long as I can remember, so this is a very exciting thing for me!”

The livery was unveiled at an exclusive partner event held at Grove Racing HQ, highlighting the significance of this milestone for Penrite Racing. As a sign of appreciation and recognition for their contribution, both Emma and Hoanna have been invited to be Penrite Racing’s special guests during the race weekend in Darwin. This will not only allow them to witness their design come to life on the racetrack but also serve as an important reminder of the impact their creativity has had on the community and beyond.

Brenton Grove, CEO of Grove Racing, remarked, “The Indigenous Round is a key highlight of the year for Penrite Racing. We love the opportunity to learn more about the students at MITS and the path they’ve taken to end up collaborating with us on such a special livery. We’re really excited to hit the track and show the incredible artwork of Emma and Hoanna.”

The CEO of MITS, Ed Tudor expressed “MITS is thrilled to once again be partnering with Penrite/Grove Racing in this year’s 2024 Supercars Indigenous Round on Larrakia Country in Darwin. This enduring partnership means so much to our students, our families, and to MITS.

Sport provides a unique opportunity to bring together people of different backgrounds who share a common passion, and motor racing is something many of our students and families love. By showcasing and celebrating our students’ cultures in this special way, we are helping create a stronger nation together.

The generous donations raised in this campaign will go towards providing an excellent boarding and educational experience for more students. We thank Grove/Penrite Racing once again for their continued generosity and commitment to MITS and our students”.

Penrite Racing’s car #26 driver Richie Stanaway said, “I’m incredibly proud and excited to unveil our team’s new indigenous livery. It’s an honor to represent Indigenous culture in motorsport, and I look forward to racing with it in Darwin.”

Penrite Racing’s car #19 driver Matt Payne stated, “It’s fantastic to see our team’s collaboration with MITS come to life through this amazing livery. Racing with it in Darwin is a special opportunity, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

As the Supercars Indigenous Round unfolds on Larrakia Country, Penrite Racing’s Indigenous livery is intended to serve as an important symbol of partnership, celebration of culture, and empowerment through education. Through this collaboration, Penrite Racing and MITS are not only racing towards victory on the track but also towards a future of inclusivity and opportunity for all.